How to choose the right power supply for my computer case?
Question by Boss: How to choose the right power supply for my computer case?
I have a HP computer, and I need to pick out a new power supply. My computer been freezing because my video card requires 500 watts. The last time I brought a power supply, it did not fit into my computer case. How do I choose the right power supply for my computer case?
Best answer:
Answer by Tom Smart
look for one that’s the same width of your computer case that’s 500 watts or more
Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
For what it’s worth
The computer came with a PSU (300W for example)
You’ve since added this 500W video card
Minimum PSU would be 800W
Add a 20% margin 960W
Good Luck
January 22nd, 2013 at 1:05 pmHP is a proprietary system. You can’t buy a generic PS and expect it to fit. you have to call HP and see if they make a high wattage PS for that board. Its always better to have a built modular system just for this reason.
January 22nd, 2013 at 1:37 pmyou’ll want a ATX power supply
some have weird screw placements but aslong as you can get 3 of the four in its fine
also you always add 100watts to what your graphics card requirments say they are
so you want a 600 – 650watt psu ideally
also you idiot your graphics card has probably sustained permanent damage because you have used it below its specified need of electricity
if your lucky will only need a bios flash if it is damaged
January 22nd, 2013 at 1:59 pmWhich exact HP computer model do you have?
By the way, Ernie is completely wrong. The printed requirements on a video card box are what’s needed for your whole computer, not just for that card. When a card like a GTS 250 or Radeon 5770 says it requires a 450W power supply, that means your computer needs at least a 450W psu to run that card along with everything else. While adding a little extra for breathing room is good advice (going with 600W if 500W is recommended), it’s mostly to allow room for future upgrades, and the fact that low-quality power supplies sometimes deliver less than their advertised rating.
As for your previous power supply not fitting- that why I asked about your specific model. HP’s regular towers accept standard ATX power supplies, so most psus from Antec, Corsair, OCZ, etc work fine… sometimes the screw mounts might not all line up, depending upon what you got.
But HP’s slimline computers (small, skinny ones) use proprietary smaller power supplies, which are harder to find and more expensive. In any case, the best psu available for those slimlines is around 300 watts.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260672890941
http://www.atxpowersupplies.com
You can’t put high-end cards that require 500W into a slimline anyway, because slimlines only accept low-profile graphics cards.
January 22nd, 2013 at 2:56 pm