What is a power source?(PC)

[Ironcomatose]

I have heard people talking about this when they want to buy a new graphics card so i was wondering what is it? Is it easy to install or do i need a tech guy to do it for me? What are some good power sources or are they all the same?

Im wondering because im going to buy a new graphics card(dont worry i will get you guys opinion on that too ) and i didnt want to get it only to find out that i cant even use it.

THANKS

[KarateDoug]

Originally Posted by ironcomatose

I have heard people talking about this when they want to buy a new graphics card so i was wondering what is it? Is it easy to install or do i need a tech guy to do it for me? What are some good power sources or are they all the same?

Im wondering because im going to buy a new graphics card(dont worry i will get you guys opinion on that too ) and i didnt want to get it only to find out that i cant even use it.

THANKS

Your power source, is your power supply.
I bought my comp and it had a 350 watt power supply. I now have upgraded to a 500 watt due to having a new carsd, fans, and other thingys. Its what has that powercord that comes out of the back of your comp that you plug into the wall.

[Ironcomatose]

Originally Posted by KarateDoug

Your power source, is your power supply.
I bought my comp and it had a 350 watt power supply. I now have upgraded to a 500 watt due to having a new carsd, fans, and other thingys. Its what has that powercord that comes out of the back of your comp that you plug into the wall.

Ok thanks. Was it easy to install?? And how do you know how much power your power source puts out?? And how can you tell when a graphics card needs more power? Does it say it on the box?

Sorry to bother you but it would be great if i can get all of these questions answered.

[Army Musician]

Just for abit of info, I dont know how much you know about computers so I will give you a quick heads-up on your question

1. The power supply (just incase you don't know) is the biggish box type thing that you connect your computer to the mains electricity to supply.
2. Graphics cards are easy to do, you just take out the old one and put a new one in. if it is an onboard graphics card then you just slot it in to place.
On the Main Board you will see 2 different types of port, the WHITE which is a PCI (for sound cards and other stuff) and a BROWN which is used for Graphics cards.
You will need a screwdriver (pointy end, not flat) and dont use a magnetic screwdriver because if it goes anywhere near your Hard Drive, it will render your hard drive useless.

Hope this is useful

[JohnnyPissoff]

Originally Posted by ironcomatose

Ok thanks. Was it easy to install?? And how do you know how much power your power source puts out?? And how can you tell when a graphics card needs more power? Does it say it on the box?

Sorry to bother you but it would be great if i can get all of these questions answered.

First off Iron, your probably ok with your old one. Get the card first then worry about the PSU.

Questions answered:
- Be very careful removing your old one. It ain't easy and you can get nailed even if your machine is unplugged.(better get someone a little more savvy to install the new one, or do a lot of illustrated research on the web)
- The power is rated as "true power" on the better brands. As it ages the power decreases with use. True power has a ceiling to compensate for this.
- If you installed the new card and it wont run and/or you lose power to other areas, or your machine freezes, that's a good indication your underpowered or your PSU is failing.
- No but it may indicate the type pin arrangement is needed for that card to run properly.

Also take into account the graphics card isn't the only device using direct power on your machine. So look for SATA drive connectors and sli/crossfire configurations as well as power ratings (anything over 480watt true power should work fine for most of us)

[[R-MOD]dunehunter]

Hm, depends on how much stuff you have inside your case, how big it is, etc.

I had some trouble plugging everything in on my case, but that's mainly because it has a seperate compartment for the PSU, which made it hard to get all the wires through. Best have someone more hardware savvy help you when you replace it.

[JohnnyPissoff]

Originally Posted by [R-MOD]dunehunter

Hm, depends on how much stuff you have inside your case, how big it is, etc.

I had some trouble plugging everything in on my case, but that's mainly because it has a seperate compartment for the PSU, which made it hard to get all the wires through. Best have someone more hardware savvy help you when you replace it.

Yea there's 3 form factors we are dealing with now AT,ATX and BTX each with different pin arrangements and size.

Iron's head is spinning about now....heh-heh...brother you basically have to surf for the info yourself, you can only glean so much knowledge by picking brains. (google; Power supply units)

[[R-MOD]dunehunter]

Well, it -is- doable. I put this computer together by myself...did wish I hadn't by the end though Mobo was busted, HD was busted, cooling paste on the PCU was gone...if you're lucky, it's simply a matter of plugging everything in, which can be problematic. If you're not, you mighth have to take it apart and put it together again...3 different times.

[JustMe]

Originally Posted by ironcomatose

Ok thanks. Was it easy to install?? And how do you know how much power your power source puts out?? And how can you tell when a graphics card needs more power? Does it say it on the box?

Sorry to bother you but it would be great if i can get all of these questions answered.

unless someone else knows, only way i know of finding out how much wattage you have is open the box & look on the sticker that is on the power supply unit
just look where the power cord plugs into, its usually easy to see.

the box of the new graphic card will say how much psu u need. or look in the detailed specs of it on the website if thats where your looking at one.

Yea there's 3 form factors we are dealing with now AT,ATX and BTX each with different pin arrangements and size.

I searched my rig out on the net here (i have a dell) and found one that was made to fit this one, dell & some other units are odd balls so make sure before you buy. i think gateway is worst from what i been told.

[Liquid_Cow]

There are a bunch of power supply calculators available on the web, you answer a few questions like: Here's a decent looking one:

http://carpc.kyferez.com/Tools/PSUWattageCalculator.php

Answer all the questions, take that recommended wattagen and add a buffer up to allow for future expansion. Newegg.com is a good source for cheap PSU's.

Its been mentioned already, there are multiple form factors for your case. I have an HP ATX case, and the PSU I bought fit perfectly, except that I could not reinstall my DVD drive due to the way the cables came out of the PSU.

Oh, did I mention, to change the PSU you probably will have to remove your top 2 drives from the PC (usually the optical drives), disconnect a bunch of wires, and possibly remove the memory chips. I also had an air duct that needed to come out. You then need to put it all back exactly as it came out. Make sure nothing is left inside (like a loose screw) or left loose (like bumping the connectors to other stuff).

Newer video cards require a direct wire to the PSU, so if you buy a new card you may not be able to use it with your existing PSU (if it does not have a video power cable).

If your PSU is too small for the new video card it will run, but then it'll crash when the card is working hard, like say in BF2. I learned this the hard way. Took me a long time ti realize why my machine was crashing so much, I thought something was wrong (then I got smart and posted in the forums to ask for help).

All in all, its very doable if you have a little mechanical tinkering abilities. The other option is to buy the PSU and ask the local Nerd Herd to install it for you, should take about an hour's labor.