How much power do I need?

[heavyartillery]

For a relatively low end system running a Pentium Dual Core chip? What are the determining factors in choosing the PSU? If I bought a case (yes, it's cheap, this is a low budget build) with a 430W PSU, should I be worried or plan to buy something seperate? Thanks!

 

[M733mhz]

Definitely buy a PSU seperate from the case. You'll never need over like 500 watt. Newegg.com - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 110/240V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail That's a really good, Cheap 450 watter.

 

[commandercup]

Definitely buy a PSU seperate from the case. You'll never need over like 500 watt. Newegg.com - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 110/240V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail That's a really good, Cheap 450 watter.

if he ever has plans to upgrade within 10 years, he should just go and get himself a minimum 520 and generally a 600 watt psu...

the stock case one will do you fine, just be sure to have cash at hand incase it dies (mine did, a 450 watter in about half a year of 24/7 usage)

for your pc, that will supply enough power, but it may not be stable (its ok) and won't have a great life

 

[Nagasama]

in ten years we may "need" 2000watt power supplies. ten years is way too far ahead to think about in the computer world.
as of right now, that 450 m733mhz suggested is fine if you arent going to run sli graphics cards or a really high end single card.

 

[Poizen22]

in ten years we may "need" 2000watt power supplies. ten years is way too far ahead to think about in the computer world.
as of right now, that 450 m733mhz suggested is fine if you arent going to run sli graphics cards or a really high end single card.

haha thats to true, in some of the newer houses there including one or two wall sockets that can handle more wattage, as some people have 1000W psu plus a printer 2 monitors externa hard drives, a modem, router, and a 600wat sound system. and then they wonder why there house burnt down lol. these sockets dont put out that much energy. so becarefull what u plug into the wall.

 

[M733mhz]

You gotta remember if a PSU goes down if has the potential to take out everything with it, It's not something I'd toy with.

 

[thirdshiftdj]

Newegg.com - XCLIO GOODPOWER 500W ATX 500W Power Supply 115/230 V UL, CUL, TUV, CB, VDE, FIMKO, DEMKO, NEMKO, SEMKO - Retail

 

[krazyq]

Definitely buy a PSU seperate from the case. You'll never need over like 500 watt. Newegg.com - FSP Group (Fortron Source) AX450-PN ATX12V 450W Power Supply 110/240V NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE - Retail That's a really good, Cheap 450 watter.

I would go with that psu or even the 400W version...
they've served me well for a while without a single error.

Theyre not even that expensive.
I dont think he needs 520W psu , especially fot a budget pc.

 

[Nagasama]

haha thats to true, in some of the newer houses there including one or two wall sockets that can handle more wattage, as some people have 1000W psu plus a printer 2 monitors externa hard drives, a modem, router, and a 600wat sound system. and then they wonder why there house burnt down lol. these sockets dont put out that much energy. so becarefull what u plug into the wall.

lol or like forty sets of christmas lights...