How big is enough for my system, help please.

C

ctantra

Weaksauce
Joined
Aug 29, 2006
Messages
91
Right now, my HTPC consists of:
C2D E8400 | Freezer 7 Pro | Mild Overclock to 3.33GHz
Gigabyte P35-DS3R with F11 BIOS
4x Corsair XMS2 DDR2-800 1GB
Zotac 9600GT 512MB Amp Edition
Hauppage PVR-150MCE
Seagate 320GB, WD Caviar 1.0TB
Pioneer DVR-A12XLB
SilverStone LC20B-M
2x 8mm Artic Cooling Fan
Vista Home Premium SP1 (RTM)

I had no problem before, running 2x Seagate 320GB with Silverstone ST405 (400W). Yesterday, I upgrade one of my Seagate 320GB to WD Caviar 1.0TB Green Power (4 Platters), and then the problem came up, the WD Caviar didn't work well. Then, I borrowed Silverstone ST50F (500W), and tried it up, but still had no luck. It's even worse, I couldn't start windows. After doing trial, I came up with conclusion, that the power supply didn't have enough power. Right now I run the system with 2 power supplies, ST405 powers the Caviar 1.0TB, and ST50F powers the rest of the system. It's working perfectyly as before.

I'm feeling rather wierd, that WD Caviar 1.0TB Green Power, needs so much power. So, do you have any suggestion for the power supply. How much power is enough? Or do you think my system has another problem, not due to power supply?

Regards,
LimLim
 
Based on your specification I would say 400W is more than enough power for your hardware. You can also try eXtreme Power Supply Calculator here: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

The problem might be the A on 12V rails. Specifications say that ST405 has only 14Amps on 12V1 and 15A on 12V2. ST50F is a bit better but not much - 18A on both 12V rails. That might explain that even switching to 500W PSU didn't solve your problem because its not a power problem.
Try to connect only the graphics card to rail 12V2 and everything other to 12V1. Or try to combine both rails if the PSU has that option.
 
Abriel Nei said:
Based on your specification I would say 400W is more than enough power for your hardware. You can also try eXtreme Power Supply Calculator here: http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

The problem might be the A on 12V rails. Specifications say that ST405 has only 14Amps on 12V1 and 15A on 12V2. ST50F is a bit better but not much - 18A on both 12V rails. That might explain that even switching to 500W PSU didn't solve your problem because its not a power problem.
Try to connect only the graphics card to rail 12V2 and everything other to 12V1. Or try to combine both rails if the PSU has that option.
Click to expand...

Well, I got the idea, but how can I determine, which is 12V1 and which is 12V2. Thanks.

Regards,
LimLim
 
Sorry I can't help you there since I don't own either of those PSUs. Check the PSU manual or PSU if there are some markings to differentiate the two rails.
 
Abriel Nei said:
Sorry I can't help you there since I don't own either of those PSUs. Check the PSU manual or PSU if there are some markings to differentiate the two rails.
Click to expand...

Yes, I checked the manual and found it. I never read PSU manual, I'm so sorry. I connected 9600GT on 12V2 and the others on 12V1.
Wow, my HTPC is running perfectly again now. Thanks.

Regards,
LimLim
 
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