Is a 500W PSU too much?

[4rings2turbos]

hey guys, i know this question is asked a lot, but i'm getting conflicting answers. my friend is helping me build this computer and says i need a 480-500W PSU, but reading other threads makes me think otherwise. here is my setup:

Intel E6550 2.33ghz cpu
2 seagate 160gb, 7200 hdd
dvd burner/cd burner combo drive
MSI Radeon 2600xt 512mb vid card
g.skill 2x1gb ram
wireless card

any help is appreciated. i'm thinking i can get by with a 380-400W psu. thanks again.

 

[silent-circuit]

You really can't buy a decent PSU for less than $50-60, and at that range you're getting 460-500 watt units. Grab an Xclio Goodpower 500 watt, Xclio Stablepower 460 watt, or an Enhance 500 watt. Don't go cheaper. There's no sense in spending on other components and buying a cheap PSU that may easily kill them when and if it fails.

 

[jonnyGURU]

There is no "too much."

Why wouldn't you go ahead and get the 460-500 instead of "getting by" with a 380 to 400W and have room for growth and not stress out a power supply by running it at 50 to 75% of it's capability round the clock?

You realize a PSU only puts out the power that's demanded of it, right?

 

[peta328]

I posted a link to this psu to someone else because it has worked great for me. I brought it when it cost $60 but since tigerdirect has a mail in rebate it now cost only $34 after rebate. It works fine for me my system is 3500 4gig ram 7600gs and two harddrives so it should work fine for you also. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=719600&CatId=106

 

[jonnyGURU]

Oh dear lord. What a hideous mistake. Good luck with that.

 

[-=Antimatter=-]

Oh deal lord. What a hideous mistake. Good luck with that.

What's worse is that he bought it from tigerdirect

EDIT: go for a good brand like Seasonic/Corsair, PC Power And Cooling, OCZ (if you don't mind ripple) or even a high-end Thermaltake. Expect to pay at least $90 for a decent power supply with headroom for some future upgrades.

 

[jonnyGURU]

What's worse is that he bought it from tigerdirect

How's that? They're cheaper than Newegg when it comes to power supplies. Have you seen Newegg's prices on power supplies? The only reason I bought the Gigabyte Odin that I reviewed from Newegg is because they're the only ones that had that PSU in stock.

Hell.. I've bought three monitors and two notebooks from Tiger because they were inexpensive and shipped quickly. Tax sucks though.

 

[4rings2turbos]

thanks guys, and no i didnt realize it only puts out what it needs, thats why i didnt wanna get the 500w if its gonna waste electricity