Thread: So I ordered the wrong thing... Help!

Originally Posted by TSur

Like I said in the title, I know I ordered the wrong power supply and didn't figure that out until it was shipped! So I ordered a CNX-P2140 thinking it would work with my ATX AMD 3800+. I don't know how I didn't notice it didnt have an ATX plug on it...



So... I wondering if there is anything I could add to get this to work with my motherboard or if I am just better off sending it back and getting an DSATX? If there is something under $65 that I could add that you think wouldn't cause any major issues down the road let me know.

No you cant use it. Send it back, get a real psu. Something tells me both from this wrong purchase and the cpu choice that you have not read very much of anything.

I suggest reading up on the power supplies.

Originally Posted by 20div0

Maybe you can set the output to 12V add something like this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PW-200-M-200W-DC...QQcmdZViewItem

But I don't know if that will work with you processor/mobo.

I recommend AGAINST those PW-series units. Why have two PSUs to do the job of one? Why add the complexity and additional wiring? That makes no sense to me...

Originally Posted by TSur

Thanks telling the answer, but I could have done without rude comments though...

I don't think he was rude. I think he was blunt honest.
Honestly, if you had read the specs of the power supply you purchased, you would know it's application and why it wouldn't work. So Toaster's speculation on you doing little or no research about PSUs is a very logical conclusion. I drew the same conclusion when I read your original post.

I didn't feel like going into the reason why I am using this processor because I didn't find it relevant for this question. But since you were so inclined on bashing me for it... I happen to have this processor 2gb of ram and a 250gb hard drive sitting around and I felt like doing something with it. I have been wanting to build a car pc for a while so here I am.

The issue with your CPU choice is simply one of power draw. It draws a lot of power. Hell, it draws more power than some automotive PSUs.
Due to the high power draw, heat is also a potntial issue.

I understand the appeal of using parts you already have in your possession. There's good sense in using what you've got. And I'm not going to bash you for your CPU choice, but I will make you aware of the potential issues of using it. Ultimately, the choice is yours as to how you'll proceed with your project..

I like how my first post on this forum I already get some rude comment.

I think you're considering a straghtforward, unfiltered analysis as rude. That method of imparting information, analysis and opinion is commin 'round here. Add to the fact that sometimes you'll get a response that you don't want to hear, which raises your irritability level.

A think(er) skin really is necessary for communication on forums, particularly technical ones. Most of us don't have time or energy for B.S. or padding a potentially unpleasant response to make it more palatable. I don't. I know Toaster doesn't either.
And you have't encountered WiredWRX yet....

Originally Posted by DarquePervert

I recommend AGAINST those PW-series units.

Those things are unreliable and pure crap to be honest. I believe the company that makes those makes the picopsu's as well. Crap as well.

I don't think he was rude. I think he was blunt honest.
Honestly, if you had read the specs of the power supply you purchased, you would know it's application and why it wouldn't work. So Toaster's speculation on you doing little or no research about PSUs is a very logical conclusion. I drew the same conclusion when I read your original post.

I'm like a Vulcan.

Originally Posted by TSur

I KNOW I made the wrong choice when I bought the PSU. I overlooked a key factor... I figured that out after the fact but the item was shipped already. This didn't mean I didn't look at all the different options. I figured out what PSU's would have enough power to run my AMD and then managed to overlook 1 thing.

I was about 99% sure before posting that I was going to need to send it back but just wanted to check on any other options I was not aware of.

I gave you an answer. Obviously your mp3car skin isnt fully grown yet, so I'll put it more softly... And yes, just wait until our native lawyer pops in.

Just by looking at which ones had enough power, that is a good start. But it is by no means the most important factor. For instance a 320W power supply may not be right for your application and a 250W may. Right away the answer is not obvious. More is better right? Well yes, but not maximum wattage more. Individual power rails (12v and 5v being the bigguns) are the key factors.

Basically wattage wise you could run your system off of a M2-ATX. But you cannot. The 12v rail is 8A and the 5v rail is way less than that. You also mention a 3.5" drive. Well I remember 250Gb and unless you are Richie Rich then it is not is 2.5 or 1.8 form factor. Those drives are used in desktops and not laptops for a reason. They are hogs. I have a 535Mb, yes thats right, megabyte HD from the late to mid 90's. It draws 1.2A from the 12v rail alone. 1.2A!!! That is about 14W used for that alone. It all goes to spinning the platters. The platters are humungous, and absolutely no optimization power wise. In a desktop, who cares about power? It also draws about 300mA from the 5v rail to power the logic side of things.

Now drives recently have become a bit more efficient, but the 'el cheapo drive isn't. Efficiency = Money. Cheap != Money.

So because of your choice of PSU, you have 2 and maybe 3 options depending all what you are going to run. The definate yes answers being the DS-ATX by Zootjeff, or the Opus320 only available through their website I believe. And you have to click the 250 link and select the 320 option. Then the maybe is the 250W. You need to check that one out, but considering the 320 is only $30 more, just spring the extra couple of bucks.

The M1/M2/Opus120 are all out right away because of CPU draw.

So... You now have a free processor and you need to buy a $200 to $250 power supply. Ok... And behind door numero 2, you could have a $150 mobo Pentium M or Via board, and a M2 or 120 $80 to $100, for about the same price.

Interesting how free things dont always turn out that way huh?

Now take into consideration these:
Bigger PSU = bigger wire needed = bigger hole in firewall to battery.

More power drawn = Less time battery can sustain system while car is off = goodbye standby and quick updates when you pull into the garage unless your car is on or else you will have a dead battery in the morning. Sucks.

More Power drawn by CPU = More heat produced = Bigger Heatsink = Bigger/Noisier Fan = Greater temperature difference between CPU and air outside = hope you dont live in a humid place, because all that condensation will do just that, condense! = water over your pretty mobo = KABOOM! = Out the free chip and now you must buy a better cpu/mobo combo anyways.

Those are just a few of the downsides to huge chips.

My suggestions:

Sell the chip you have now on eBay. With that money, get a comparable Mobile chip (AMD makes them too if you are some weird fanboy). That includes the Pentium 4M (Not plain 'ol 4), the Core 2 duo's solos, (be careful, get the mobile ones, not the desktop counterparts). Both are part of the "Centrino" family so stick with that. Then the AMD counterparts. Same logic applies, mobile not desktop.

That way you get a chip better sutied to you for the cost of shipping a copper plate 2 ways.

I know my processor is going to take about 90W alone and that is A LOT. I was going to go with an inverter, but the heat from them and not having the startup/shutdown controller built in = more wires more space I thought I should not go that way.

That and the noise introduced into your sytem. If you listen to rave music that is so incoherant anyways, then maybe some static would please you, but for most this is a no-no.

And just an fyi, there is a "ghetto" inverter sdc, that is relatively easy to build, or can be ordered. Not that large, so there is an option, but make it a last resort. You may think inverter and cheap go together but they dont. Perhaps you have heard of "true sine wave inverters" and "square wave inverters"? Well if not I suggest reading up on them if you fail at your dc-dc mission.

Anyways, someday when I have extra money I might change out the MB and processor but for now I am going to work with what I got.

There are only 3 PSU's that I know will work with my AMD 3800+ so it is between the OPUS 320W ($215 +12V 15A = 180w), OPUS 250W($189 12v 10a = 120W) or the DSATX($189 12v 12A = 144W)

Since pricing isn't that much different from what I found I might be going with the OPUS 320w just so I have the most power available

Im glad that you have researched a bit, and you seem to be on the right track, but please be cautious of the rails as I mentioned above.

just in case I need to power a toaster from it.

You know they make double din microwave ovens now? Now you can cook a hotpocket while driving. Crazy.

Originally Posted by NightHawkFG

i am a noob to this forum but yeah he does seem to think his way is the only way andshoots down any other ides. I think he fails to relize that just posting for help and nothing really more,

qui? moi? Who are you?

Originally Posted by NightHawkFG

sorry about that 2k1Toaster cant hold your behavior against you. you cant help your canadian

It's behaviour not behavior. Behavior when sounded pheonetically is bee-have-ee-or. Like the donkey from Winne the Poo.

And what aboot me being a cannuck, eh?

But seriously, what I have done to you?