Help please

[mrapoc]

I've just near enough finished my mates pc, problem is the psu isnt exactly a good in terms of connectors but its still rated at 400w. I have used up all the connectors (not many...the main motherboard power - both of them, 1 for the dvd rom, 1 for the cd-rw, 1 for the hdd and 1 for the system fan - one out of 2) now I'm wondering, will it be possible to have another system fan, the graphics card and the hdd running off the same cable by means of split offs (if you get me ) or should i try to share the load by attaching one of the split offs onto one of the cables going to the dvd rom and 1 for the previous?

Atm ive got it 1 cable feeding 2 optical drives, both fans and going to the power button, in series

the other 4 pin molex going to gfx card and hdd in series

i only have 2 4 pin molex connectors!

 

[llwyd]

I've just near enough finished my mates pc, problem is the psu isnt exactly a good make but its still rated at 400w. I have used up all the connectors (not many...the main motherboard power - both of them, 1 for the dvd rom, 1 for the cd-rw, 1 for the hdd and 1 for the system fan - one out of 2) now I'm wondering, will it be possible to have another system fan, the graphics card and the hdd running off the same cable by means of split offs (if you get me ) or should i try to share the load by attaching one of the split offs onto one of the cables going to the dvd rom and 1 for the previous?

it doesnt make any difference unless its different rails, load is load. exactly what make and model is it?

 

[mrapoc]

Its a CTK LC-C400ATX Switching power supply (400w)

this to be exact http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CTK-Atx-Psu-400W-Model-LC-C400ATX_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ300041777886

 

[Raging]

wow that is uber freakin cheap!,i would not trust a psu that cheap to even run one cd drive

 

[mrapoc]

well its from my old pc, a computer shop installed it after a mishap with the last one and charged me £40 for the labour and the psu. I have no idea how much it was at the time (bout 1 year ago). It ran my old pc flawlessly (sempron 2600, both drives im using now, the same hdd and gfx card) in fact the only thing ive changed in this one is: 2 fans, 3000+ amd 64 & hs and a different mobo and ive got rid of the floppy..

is it safe to run?

 

[Rastalovich]

Atm ive got it 1 cable feeding 2 optical drives, both fans and going to the power button, in series

the other 4 pin molex going to gfx card and hdd in series

i only have 2 4 pin molex connectors!

To only have 2 4 pin molex connectors, they must boast a fair feed off them - I`d expect some 300/350w psus to have what u`r describing, but not a 400w tbh.

The opticals line of molex should come to something in the region of 55/65w, manufacturer dependent.

If they can be handled by that line, which u`d have to test burning and reading off the dvd - both actions of which I think would draw the most power - as long as u`r gfxcard is ok with 30/35w (55/65 - 25/30 for hdd *typical*) u might be ok.

Wouldn`t attempt to push it much tho.

I`ve managed to total an optical drive and a hdd`s filesystem by using a 350w hiper (good psu for me) with the same 2 molex lines on a K7 mobo (athlon 1200 something) with 6 harddrives and a single dvd drive. Switched the knackered dvd for a cdrw and took 1 drive out, and it ~seemed~ to be ok. System had around 6 fans in it too along with 2 or 3 pci cards (including an ata card) and a standard gf2 mx.

 

[Ham]

Dude.

Thats gonna be a terrible suply. Get a new one asap.

Might be flogging my hiper type-r 480w soon....

 

[mrapoc]

So even if it did run my last pc it wouldnt be worth risking this 1? I need the cheapest psu to do the job as i dont want to be losing money on my build but obviously i dont want it blowing up! what do you recommend? Gimme a model/make/wattage and ill browse ebay for a cheap price!

 

[mVp24]

I use this PSU, cheap and good. Supposedly, they used to make ANtec PSUs.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1828919&CatId=331

 

[Ham]

How much are you looking to spend and exactly what spec system are you powering?

 

[mrapoc]

Amd 3000+

6600gt 256mb AGP

1gb ram

Maxtor diamondmax 9 hdd

2 optical drives (dvdrom and cd-rw)

As less as possible, but as its for a friend paying me (thus the lesser payment option) i need it still to be reliable

 

[Ham]

http://www.specialtech.co.uk/spshop/customer/product.php?productid=823&cat=161&page=1

That may seem expensive after your £12 jobby. But this PSU for that price would be you perfectly.

Unfortunatly PSUs are (at least one of) the most important parts of your system. And normaly to get a worthwhile one you have to spend a minium of ~£40.

Your current 400w unit is prob absoulute maximum of 400w, and drawing 400w for more than about 20secs would make it go pop... Continuous of about 250-300w.

 

[mrapoc]

any ebay recommendations? im a gypo/pikey/cheapskate

Thanks for that also

 

[Ham]

...you don't get much better than a £50/60 psu for £35. Free shipping too.

Ill look on fleebay now, but stuff on there sells only just less than retail. & most of the PSUs on there are bloody terrible.

One thats not bad:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Hiper-525w-AT...ryZ44949QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[mrapoc]

with the system im buying for which wattage do i need to aim for? I know the decent manufacturers so i can ebay over the next couple of days

 

[Ham]

400 watt + you need for that. But you need a real 400w. Rather than a fake.

Brands too look for, look through the reviews. XMS dosn't do crap units, so lower power units from those companies would do it.

Add: keep an eye on this:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Turbo-Cool-51...7QQihZ004QQcategoryZ44949QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It will probably go way above your budget, but its one of the best units around

 

[markkleb]

mraopc sorry I missed this thread today earlier. Next time if you list the PS and all the hardware it would be easier.

Basically the wiring (if its 18ga) can carry 13A or 150watts. You should be able to put a few things on each cable.

here is a good place to get a idea of power needed

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Remember the PS you have is at best So so, so dont push ur luck too much.

(most people dont know how much current a wire can really handle so they try to err on the side of caution)

 

[Sticky Mick]

That calculator can be misleading to anyone who doesn't read everything.

It tells me I just need 283w, which isn't the total wattage needed. If I was a noob I'd now go out and buy a 300. But the small text at the top that's flashing ATTENTION: states:

"The recommended total Power Supply Wattage gives you a general idea on what to look for BUT it is NOT a crucial factor in power supply selection! Total Amperage Available on the +12V Rail(s) is the most important, followed by the +5V amperage and then the +3.3V amperage. Example: PSU you want to buy has 400W total wattage output but only has 16A on +12V rail. But your configuration might require 20A on +12V rail."

Ahh! That's more like it. I set the surge compensation** to 50% and it came out at 425w. **= Something that can be totally overlooked.

Just get the highest decent brand he can afford that's got the rec'd 20A+ on the 12v rail.

 

[llwyd]

mraopc sorry I missed this thread today earlier. Next time if you list the PS and all the hardware it would be easier.

Basically the wiring (if its 18ga) can carry 13A or 150watts. You should be able to put a few things on each cable.

here is a good place to get a idea of power needed

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

Remember the PS you have is at best So so, so dont push ur luck too much.

(most people dont know how much current a wire can really handle so they try to err on the side of caution)

The components in that power supply WILL fail before they reach an output that will damage the wires

 

[Ham]

That calcutator tells me i need about 350w, when im overdrawing my true 480w, 520 peak.