Need some power supply advice

[PapaBear]

I'm building a new comp, and I can't decide between two power supplies. I already have an Ultra Xfinity 500 watt (http://www.ultraproducts.com/product_details.php?cPath=60&pPath=383&productID=383) that is very nice, and I was going to pull from my old comp and put into this one. But the case I bought, an Antec NSK4480B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129032&nm_mc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel&cm_mmc=TEMC-RMA-Approvel-_-Content-_-text-_-)came with a 380 watt supply (http://www.antec.com/usa/productDetails.php?lan=us&id=27380) that's very good on electricity.

When I originally purchased the 500 watt, it was because my old comp has 256MB graphics card, and I wanted to never worry about power. But my new comp has an ASUS M3A78-EM motherboard (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131324) with very nice 256MB equivalent built in graphics, so I won't be adding a graphics card.

Should I stick with the fine performing Xfinity supply, or go with the 380 watt one that will use much less electricity?

[boosterp]

ASUS M3A78-EM motherboard[/URL] with very nice 256MB equivalent built in graphics, so I won't be adding a graphics card.

Should I stick with the fine performing Xfinity supply, or go with the 380 watt one that will use much less electricity?

500 is plenty for an onboard graphics solution. You do not need much more and will have plenty of room to grow.

[PapaBear]

500 is plenty for an onboard graphics solution. You do not need much more and will have plenty of room to grow.
I already have 500. I'm wondering if it would be safe to drop down to the new 380 watt supply so I can take advantage of the energy savings.

[KingGeno]

I already have 500. I'm wondering if it would be safe to drop down to the new 380 watt supply so I can take advantage of the energy savings.


You're gonna have to do your homework. Some components will require a certain watt. Some setups or configurations of video cards require a minimum watt. I'd stick with the 500...

[boosterp]

I already have 500. I'm wondering if it would be safe to drop down to the new 380 watt supply so I can take advantage of the energy savings.

Either way your PS only uses the energy needed. A 500 will not use 500 watts unless the components needed it. The 380 is fine because I bet you will use less than 300 under a heavy load. there are methods to measure this and I will find the link to the product if you really wnated to know how much you draw.

[boosterp]

Kill A Watt meter: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2003/12/23/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review/

[Fez4PrezN2008]

Here's an estimate of typical wattage usage by component from tigerdirect.com
<TABLE style="BORDER-RIGHT: #3367ca 1px solid; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BORDER-TOP: #3367ca 1px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BORDER-LEFT: #3367ca 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM: #3367ca 1px solid; BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" borderColor=#111111 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width=387 bgColor=#ffffff border=0><TBODY><TR><TD width=213 bgColor=#3367ca>Component</TD><TD width=152 bgColor=#3367ca>Wattage Required</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt"><TD style="HEIGHT: 15pt" width=213 bgColor=#e0e9f8>Motherboard</TD><TD style="HEIGHT: 15pt" width=152 bgColor=#e0e9f8>15-30</TD></TR><TR><TD width=213>Low-end CPU</TD><TD width=152>20-50 </TD></TR><TR><TD width=213 bgColor=#e0e9f8>Midrange to high-end CPU</TD><TD width=152 bgColor=#e0e9f8>40-100 </TD></TR><TR><TD width=213>RAM</TD><TD width=152>RAM 7 per 128MB </TD></TR><TR><TD width=213 bgColor=#e0e9f8>PCI add-in card</TD><TD width=152 bgColor=#e0e9f8>5 </TD></TR><TR><TD width=213>Low to midrange graphics board</TD><TD width=152>20-60 </TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 10.5pt"><TD style="HEIGHT: 10.5pt" width=213 bgColor=#e0e9f8>High-End graphics board
</TD><TD style="HEIGHT: 10.5pt" width=152 bgColor=#e0e9f8>60-100
</TD></TR><TR><TD width=213>IDE hard drive</TD><TD width=152>10-30</TD></TR><TR><TD width=213 bgColor=#e0e9f8>Optical drives</TD><TD width=152 bgColor=#e0e9f8>10-25 </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

If I were you'd I'd go w/ the 500wt though because you might find you want to add a nice gpu later if you find you want to find a game or watch videos more easily.

[PapaBear]

Here's an estimate of typical wattage usage by component from tigerdirect.com
<table style="border: 1px solid rgb(51, 103, 202); padding: 0px; border-collapse: collapse;" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" bordercolor="#111111" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="387"><tbody><tr><td bgcolor="#3367ca" width="213">Component</td><td bgcolor="#3367ca" width="152">Wattage Required</td></tr><tr style="height: 15pt;"><td style="height: 15pt;" bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="213">Motherboard</td><td style="height: 15pt;" bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="152">15-30</td></tr><tr><td width="213">Low-end CPU</td><td width="152">20-50 </td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="213">Midrange to high-end CPU</td><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="152">40-100 </td></tr><tr><td width="213">RAM</td><td width="152">RAM 7 per 128MB </td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="213">PCI add-in card</td><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="152">5 </td></tr><tr><td width="213">Low to midrange graphics board</td><td width="152">20-60 </td></tr><tr style="height: 10.5pt;"><td style="height: 10.5pt;" bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="213">High-End graphics board
</td><td style="height: 10.5pt;" bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="152">60-100
</td></tr><tr><td width="213">IDE hard drive</td><td width="152">10-30</td></tr><tr><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="213">Optical drives</td><td bgcolor="#e0e9f8" width="152">10-25 </td></tr></tbody></table>

If I were you'd I'd go w/ the 500wt though because you might find you want to add a nice gpu later if you find you want to find a game or watch videos more easily.
I actually do watch a lot of video on my comp. I have a TV tuner card and use it very often. I'm very impressed with the onboard graphics of this mobo. It's the only onboard I've ever seen that supports both digital and analog, and it also supports Blu Ray. I think I will stick with the 500 watt. Plus, I just realized the 380 doesn't have a second fan, and the 500 watt does.

http://images.doba.com/4/M3A78EM.jpg

[Fez4PrezN2008]

I actually do watch a lot of video on my comp. I have a TV tuner card and use it very often. I'm very impressed with the onboard graphics of this mobo. It's the only onboard I've ever seen that supports both digital and analog, and it also supports Blu Ray. I think I will stick with the 500 watt. Plus, I just realized the 380 doesn't have a second fan, and the 500 watt does.
What kind of mobo is it papa? I built one last year based on a ECS GF8200A and it's onboard gpu is fine for everyday things but won't handle much gaming on its own.
n/m I didn't see you had listed it in your first post...

[boosterp]

a 380 does not generate the same heat as a larger PS so the fan is efficient even though there is one. In this computer I have a 1000 wat PS which has one 140mm fan but is also cooled with heat pipes and my case can sound like a jet engine with 4 120mm fans and an 80mm fan. Plus the MB has 3 fans on it, the video cards have fans, and this thing gets loud when cranked. I have a pair of surround sound headphones to drown out the fan noise when needed.

[PapaBear]

What kind of mobo is it papa? I built one last year based on a ECS GF8200A and it's onboard gpu is fine for everyday things but won't handle much gaming on its own.
I have a link to it in my first post. I don't do any gaming at all. I mostly use my comp for watching TV and doing a lot of scanning and photo editing.

[boosterp]

Also, next time you need a PS look for ones that are certified 80% efficient or greater. They will save you a bit on energy and generate a little less heat. Mine is rated at 85% efficient which means only 15% of the energy is lost in heat, etc.

[PapaBear]

Also, next time you need a PS look for ones that are certified 80% efficient or greater. They will save you a bit on energy and generate a little less heat. Mine is rated at 85% efficient which means only 15% of the energy is lost in heat, etc.
The 380 is.

and are all 80 PLUS® certified, the newest standard in power supply efficiency.

[boosterp]

It can mean the difference between using an iridescent light bulb in a fixture versus one of the new energy efficient florescent ones.

[PapaBear]

It can mean the difference between using an iridescent light bulb in a fixture versus one of the new energy efficient florescent ones.
A rainbow light?:tongue:

Don't worry. I know what you meant. I'm going to use the 380 for a while and see how it performs. It will probably be OK.

[boosterp]

A rainbow light?:tongue:

Don't worry. I know what you meant. I'm going to use the 380 for a while and see how it performs. It will probably be OK.

Hmmmmm, I guess I need to check dictionary.com

[PapaBear]

Hmmmmm, I guess I need to check dictionary.com
Sorrrrrrrry. The answer we were looking for was incandescent. INCANDESCENT.

[boosterp]

Sorrrrrrrry. The answer we were looking for was incandescent. INCANDESCENT.

Hmmmmm, maybe I forgot a dose of my meds because I should have known that.

[PapaBear]

Hmmmmm, maybe I forgot a dose of my meds because I should have known that.
You were probably channeling East Side Dave.

[biggestmexi]

Check out the antec earthwatt series