Thread: Higher wattage power supplies

AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Manchester 2.2GHz Socket 939
ASUS A8V-VM SE 939 VIA K8M890 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Patriot Signature Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM
2 lighted 120mm fans
dual 12" cold cathode lights (they will be off when trunk is closed.)

The above items i already have and have them running with spare parts i had around home. Im buying parts as the budget allows so i want to get the power supply first so i can at least put the computer in the car with the 10.4" touch screen monitor(usb) that is currently in transit.

What i plan on getting:

Slim dvd drive -
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=009

250 or 320GB hard drive (sata)
Wifi card (PCI)
PCI sound card
USB GPS module
USB hub for in my dash
possibly an obdII unit and maybe a fusion brain (should have power for them at least)

I feel like im forgetting something (im writing this away from home where my parts list is), if i think of something else ill post it. Thx for the help so far.

i'm running an all the bells and whistles motherboard with a xp 2600 and a gig or ram on a 160 watt M2-ATX and it runs flawlessly for 3 weeks now. if they really run off the 12V rail than am I just lucky? I'm running 3 computer fans, hardrive, touchscreen usb, usb wifi, and usb gps reciever.



I don't think you need as much power as they say. but if you don't have enough for the CPU, it won't post.

So far Ive got:
AMD Athlon 64 3500+ Manchester 2.2GHz Socket 939 Processor
ASUS A8V-VM SE 939 VIA K8M890 Micro ATX AMD Mobo
Patriot Signature Series 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR SDRAM

I have those hooked up and working with my extra desktop components. The mobo has integrated video so it shouldnt draw too much and the CPU draws from 12v rail. I want to get a power supply next so i can at least put it in my car. I have a 10.4" touch screen monitor in transit as well. Ive just been buying parts as fast as the budget allows and i want to get the basics in my car and go from there.

I plan on getting:
PCI wifi card
GPS unit
PCI sound card
2 120mm lighted fans
2 12" cold cathode tubes
Slim Dvd drive - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=009
I'll also put a usb hub in my dash.

I might also get an OBDII or Fusion Brain so there should be a little extra power on hand in case i do, not sure how much those draw if anything.

While im asking about power i should ask if it hurts to have this powered by the distribution block for my amps?... I have a 2 gauge wire run to my trunk that powers one 800w rms amp for subs and soon will have a 200w rms amp for speakers. These will both be running off a distribution block that the 2 gauge wire powers, will it be a problem to hook my pc into that same distribution block or should i be safe and run another power wire? thx.

Snortonnorton - That sounds very similar to what i'll be running, do you know how many watts your cpu consumes?

Originally Posted by schnottus

I'm going to be putting a uATX motherboard with AMD processor in the trunk of my car and cannot decide what power supply to use. The CPU draws from 12v rail. The power calculators that the FAQ links to all tell me i will need a 200-230 watt psu. I am hoping to make this computer as low cost as possible and as such was hoping to get away with the 80 dollar m2-atx, however I dont think thats going to happen. From what I've seen browsing the forums my options are either the opus 250/320, the dsatx, or MibMib's 400w psu project(http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/powe...-400w-psu.html). The 400w is looking good right now due to its high power (scalability) and relatively low cost if i can get one for about 130. I am curious as to what the more experienced people on here think of these psus. Would it be worth it to stick to a well-known, proven psu like opus or dsatx or should i take a chance and get a beta 400w? Thx in advance.

$130 is the base price. Shipping to the USA/Canada is around $80-90. If you buy with in the week, you are considered a beta tester, and will get the unit for $100 + s/h

So you are looking at $180 or upwards of $220 depending when you buy it.

You might be better off buying the DSATX or OPUS. I could be wrong, but I don't see why you couldn't buy a 2nd low end PSU like M1 to power a couple devices.

Also, if you list your specs, it might give us a better idea if you actually need 220+. Do you already have this system, or is it one you were planning?

Sorry for posting the specs twice, there is about an hour delay between my posting and it showing up as it always gives me a message that i have to wait for a moderator to approve my post before it appears, i assume this has something to do with my account being new. When i load this thread it shows the specs i posted, can you guys not see those posts for some reason?

Originally Posted by schnottus

Sorry for posting the specs twice, there is about an hour delay between my posting and it showing up as it always gives me a message that i have to wait for a moderator to approve my post before it appears, i assume this has something to do with my account being new. When i load this thread it shows the specs i posted, can you guys not see those posts for some reason?

I'm calculating you around 207w with your setup.

This is also using an 89w processor in the calculation, but if you have a Winchester (you called it a Manchester), then you will be around 190w. This is also at 85% usage, which generally only happens during startup. Add about 7-10w to these for your monitor.

You are probably fine with just the DSATX.

If you are really worried about it, knock out the lights, and get a better processor for power. There are equal or stronger processors that use under 31w.

Thx for the help. I'll probably just keep the same processor and go with a dsatx or opus 250 then, even if i went with a lower power processor id still be using a dsatx or opus to be safe so i might as well keep the cpu i have. I have an expensive habit of overpowering and overengineering everything i make. Probably a good thing in the long run.
By the way, It is a manchester, rated at 67w apparently: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...853&CatId=1949