How do I know if a 300 watt power supply is sufficient for my system?

I have the following:Motherboard: aBit IN9 32X-MaxCPU: Intell Core 2 Quad 6600Memory: (2x) 2GB OCZ DDR2Graphics: NVIDIA GdForce 8500 GT PCIeHDDs: Seagate Barracuda 7200 SATA 500GB (ST3500630AS)Seagate Barracuda 7200 IDE 300GB (ST3300831A)I have 2 fans connected and a PCI-based Wireless NIC card. I want to install 2 more of the following drives:Seagate Barracuda 7200 1.5TB (ST31500341AS)My power supply is only 300 watts. I'd like to know if I can see how many watts are currently being consumed, and if this power supply will be sufficient for the above system.

If I need to upgrade, how many watts would you suggest and how did you come to your conclusion. Asked by dwdrums 17 months ago Similar questions: 300 watt power supply sufficient system Computers > Hardware > Desktops & Laptops.

Similar questions: 300 watt power supply sufficient system.

Adding two more hard drives won't really consume that much more power. Newer hard drives draw between 2-8 watts. Taking the top figure, you won't be adding more than 16 watts.

I wouldn't worry about it..

Re: Hard to say exactly This should give you an idea: anandtech.com/show/2624 If you consider 'overclocking' and 'gaming' - double it! Sources: Above link .

Not with that nice gh-End Chipset Note: The following values are MAXIMUM power draws. Intel Core 2 Quad 6600: 105W NVIDIA GdForce 8500 GT PCIe: 40W Seagate Barracuda 7200 SATA 500GB: 13W Seagate Barracuda 7200 IDE 300GB: 12.8W WiFi PCI card: ~15W aBit IN9 32X-Max MoBo (and NF680i SLI chipset): 290W (full load) overall power consumption:~474.4W + a 3rd "Seagate Barracuda 7200 1.5TB: 10.8W" = ~485.2W A PSU's marked wattage in the title is usually the peak wattage and with most cheap PSU's this rating is often overrated. Theoretically a 500 Watt PSU will handle your system's hardware, but I would buy a 550 Watt (or higher rated if it's a cheap PSU).

This way if you decide to run two graphics cards in SLI in the future, or if you add more PCI cards, your PSU will be able to handle it. Sources: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=29765, http://www.gpureview.com/show_cards.php?card1=514&card2=, http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/disc/manuals/desktop/Barracuda%207200.10/100402371k.pdf, http://seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?name=Barracuda_7200.8&vgnextoid=8722198cdc9ef010VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD&vgnextchannel=f424072516d8c010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD&locale=en-GB&reqPage=Legacy#, http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/intel-nvidia,1385-13.html, http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/disc/manuals/desktop/Barracuda%207200.11/100507013e.pdf aegan's Recommendations Antec 550 Watt EPS12V PSU TP2-550EPS12V Power Supply This particular PSU is one I would consider (but is out of stock). It has a modular design and is Bronze 80 and SLI certified (meaning that it is energy efficient and you can run a 2nd PCI-e Video Card).

Antec is a very reliable brand, but you may end up spending about $80-$120. The power supply is a component you should NOT CHEAP OUT ON. A cheap $40 550watt PSU will most likely fail and could cause damage to your other computer components.

I found this product on newegg.com for $69.99 After Rebate: http://www. Newegg.com/Product/Product.Aspx? Item=N82E16817371020&nm_mc=OTC-Froogle&cm_mmc=OTC-Froogle-_-Power+Supplies-_-Antec-_-17371020 .

It's.... It's impossible to tell. The wattage is just a total figure. But power supplies can only put out so many amps at each voltage.To figure this out in detail, you'd have to know the amount of load, in amps, of each voltage source: 3.3, 5, 12, and -12.

Those numbers just are not available for things like the motherboard and the memory. What you could do is traipse down to Harbor Freight and buy a clamp-on ammeter. Thse use to cost hundreds but now can be as low as $14.95.

Then you take your power supply wires and bunch them up by color-- red is +5, yellow is +3.3, orange is +12. Use the clamp-around meter to measure the current draw on each bunch. Compare that with the numbers on your power supply.

Then see if the current draw of your new drives (usually on the detailed spec sheet, but not always ), can be added without going over the PS maximums.

2 You need more memory, at least 4. More power supply, you can not go wrong, but do you need it, not sure.

You need more memory, at least 4. More power supply, you can not go wrong, but do you need it, not sure.

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