Is my CPU and hardware going to be ok?

[Epicus]

Hello everyone again!

I posted a forum about a month or two ago regarding my computer. It was giving me some issues and wasn't booting up, but we managed to resolve the problem. It was around this time that I was told that my power supply was not good enough and I should really consider replacing it a.s.a.p. Well I haven't had too much money to spare for computers (yeah I'm stingy) and I was wondering if I were to buy a new PSU now, if it would be too late and the damage is done, and the CPU etc. will never run at it's peak performance.

My computer specs are:
Allied 450W (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817154010)
ASUS A8V-Deluxe Socket-939 AGP
AMD Athlon 64 3700+ San Diego
Corsair PC3200 DDR 1024MB Dual Channel 3-3-3-8 (2.7v)
eVGA GeForce 6200 256MB
Maxtor 160GB 7200RPM IDE HDD
WD 120GB 7200RPM IDE HDD
2x IDE DVD/CD-R CD-ROM drives

Now I have a 2 year old PSU that I bought a while back, it doesn't have dual rails, and it is running my computer at:

+12V (11.551)
+5V (5.187)
+3V (3.344)
Vcore (1.408)

I was told that an insufficient PSU could cause fatal damage to some of my hardware, and I wasn't sure if this was an instantaneous thing, or a hypothetical thing, or maybe just a draining effect. I noticed the +12V was running very underpar, and would this just cause a sluggish computer or is the damage already done? Would fixing my PSU now almost be a futile effort to save what I have?

Since I started using my computer 2 months ago with this PSU, I have noticed some sluggish performance with hangtimes on programs loading and desktop items sometimes disappearing for a few moments while the computer had time to process that I had just minimized Firefox. Also one system lockup has occurred which soon resulted in my computer rebooting itself and hanging at POST (unable to detect harddrives, had to soft-reset and it was fine after that).

I appreciate any info you can give to me. I know what I've done is bad and should never be replicated, but I haven't had the money to put into this until now and I thought I'd ask the opinion of others. Thanks!

 

[Nitestick]

your computer would probably be fine if you replace the psu.

 

[Epicus]

Thanks for the response. I'll definately look to getting a new PSU soon then.

 

[Yoad]

Some idea's for a GOOD and not too costy PSU is Antec 430Watt [or 480Watt if you can affored]

Or enermax, same thing.. its not an overpriced brand, not the cheapest either but either one of those will do great for you'r PC

Anyhow, there is no way to damage you'r computer because you have too LOW power supply, and since the power supply never really gets to its peak rates unless the hardware requires so [while over-loaded] there is no way to get TOO much power.. lol, unless you have a power outage or some serious electric shock

So.. no, my guess is you'r PSU is just too weak and you should get a good one, but nothing else should be damaged there, not from that reason anyhow.

Edit: I decided to be nice, so here's some links for some PSU's in a good shop to purchase at.

Antec 430Watt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103928

Antec 480Watt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103930

Enermax 420Watt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103459

Enermax 485Watt: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103457

Alright, Do you'r math and choose whatever suites you best

Hope I helped.

Goodluck,

-Jo.

 

[jeremy]

i suggest youll get one of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817104954
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103928

 

[Yoad]

lol, check my post above I edited it to have PSU's too, didnt want to double post so I edited :x

 

[jeremy]

you edited 2 mins after i replied

 

[Yoad]

well we're spamming but hey I put a lot of PSU's links so it took some time
so like.. while you already posted you'r post I Was busy editing it, not knowing some one else posted suggestion XD

 

[Epicus]

I like that you guys gave me suggestions of PSUs to buy, it really helps me in my selection. My ASUS board is a AGP board (20-pin), I was wondering if those PSU that you suggested (the PCI-Express ones) are backwards compatible with AGP boards as well?

 

[jeremy]

they will work fine with agp mobos , the main connector is 20+4 (detachable)