Is this PSU going to kill my system?

J

JungleXV

n00b
Joined
Nov 19, 2006
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14
Alright, so I just purchased a prebuilt system from Newegg because I am honestly too scared to attempt to build one on my own. It is this one here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227052

Basically, although I don't know too much about PC hardware it seems to me that the PSU might be borderline for that system. For those who don't wish to check out the computer, it is a 580 Watt PSU running 2x 8800GT cards in SLI and a Q6600. Anyway, I called the company that makes the PC and they said that it is sufficient for that computer, otherwise they wouldn't be selling them in bulk to Newegg. I just figured of course they would say that to me though.

Anyway, I DO plan on upgrading the PSU regardless, but I won't be able to do so for maybe another 2 months or so. I've already ordered the PC and when I get it I'm gonna honestly be afraid to even turn it on. Whats the worst that can happen? Should I be worried, or is that PSU going to be alright for a couple of months?
 
Remember what I told you earlier about the power supply? The worse case scenario is that the power supply buckles under the full load of everything running at the same time and takes several parts with it.

Since you've already purchased it, my advice (since you probably can't return it without suffering a huge restocking fee) is for you to save up money NOW and get a 600+ watt power supply that's officially SLI-rated. The Corsair TX650 is one of the cheaper options around.

You also have a PM coming your way over the topic.
 
Man.. If that is the Sunbeam Hush 580watt with 25 amps on the +12v that is pretty weak! I would not even hesitate to change it right away. BTW, I hope you're gonna be gaming on a 24" lcd at least. The SLI won't be that useful if you're only on a 19-22" LCD. Anyways....change the PS to be safe. You don't want that $1300 system to go down over a $25 cheapy PS.
 
Uh oh... iBuyPower :( I really hope you don't have any problems with your computer. The PSU isn't the worst of your worries. If you need their tech support, you're screwed.
 
JungleXV said:
Alright, so I just purchased a prebuilt system from Newegg because I am honestly too scared to attempt to build one on my own. It is this one here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883227052

Basically, although I don't know too much about PC hardware it seems to me that the PSU might be borderline for that system. For those who don't wish to check out the computer, it is a 580 Watt PSU running 2x 8800GT cards in SLI and a Q6600. Anyway, I called the company that makes the PC and they said that it is sufficient for that computer, otherwise they wouldn't be selling them in bulk to Newegg. I just figured of course they would say that to me though.

Anyway, I DO plan on upgrading the PSU regardless, but I won't be able to do so for maybe another 2 months or so. I've already ordered the PC and when I get it I'm gonna honestly be afraid to even turn it on. Whats the worst that can happen? Should I be worried, or is that PSU going to be alright for a couple of months?
Click to expand...

So you have a warranty with the system through them right? If it blows up during the warranty period then it's on them...Don't worry about it too much and buy a PSU when you can afford one - if it continues to bug you.

I spent like 20 hours in the PSU section before deciding on a highly reviewed Xclio power supply a couple years back. It died in a single year. I spent another few hours reading reviews in the PSU section and other websites online and decided on a Antec Earthwatts, it died in six months. Both PSU's were supposed to be top tier for a budget minded person and overkill for my application. My wife's computer has been running on a super crappy 350watt Ultra power supply for the same amount of time my computer has gone through 2 "quality" budge PSU's and her machine has zero problems. Everybody in the PSU forum will tell you the 350watt Ultras from several years ago were like putting lit TNT into your case. I'm a bid jaded perhaps, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. People on this forum are "enthusiasts" and as "enthusiasts" we sometimes think we must obtain a quality higher than we actually do. My friend is running a Q6600 Quad core, 8800GTX off an absolutely no name $15 - 500 watt power supply, and he's having no problems, even has his quad overclocked to 3.0Ghz at stock voltage. Will it shorten his computer life? Probably...how much? who knows.... Could it take out other components when it drops? Probably. But even my comparitively expensive budget PSU's (xclio and antec) took out a network card when it died - so it's not a guarentee you won't loose components when you have a "recommended" power supply either.

Don't get me wrong - I understand clean power is important, and I've personally noticed very clear gains in overclocking based on nothing more than a power supply upgrade. (200mhz higher stable O/C on a P4 3.2 northwood I had using the Xclio over an older 5volt heavy 400watt PSU).....but I think perhaps our testing tools are sometimes a bit more extreme than necessary --- for the purposes of running a stock system.

The hardware vendors must account for running their equipment on any grade of power....this includes power grids in other countries where it isn't even as regulated as in the US and there is much more fluctuations at the actual outlet! If you want your PC to run 30 years later then having a super high quality PSU might help you meet that goal. If you plan to upgrade in a couple years ---- well...just think it through.

I'm not speaking from inexpierience either...I've been putzing around with computers since I was a kid, and have been in IT since my first job out of college with my BS degree in Network and Computer Mgmt in 2003. Worked a helpdesk for four years, and now am on a server team. I guess it boils down to this. You know all the pre-built systems, Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, yada yada yada. Those systems have no name power supplies...Pre-built systems is what our company of 1000 local employees run. No name power supplies. You know how many failed power supplies I saw in 4 years on the helpdesk? One. Yeah...One. Just my opinion...everybody has their own.
 
Archaea said:
So you have a warranty with the system through them right? If it blows up during the warranty period then it's on them...Don't worry about it too much and buy a PSU when you can afford one - if it continues to bug you.

I spent like 20 hours in the PSU section before deciding on a highly reviewed Xclio power supply a couple years back. It died in a single year. I spent another few hours reading reviews in the PSU section and other websites online and decided on a Antec Earthwatts, it died in six months. Both PSU's were supposed to be top tier for a budget minded person and overkill for my application. My wife's computer has been running on a super crappy 350watt Ultra power supply for the same amount of time my computer has gone through 2 "quality" budge PSU's and her machine has zero problems. Everybody in the PSU forum will tell you the 350watt Ultras from several years ago were like putting lit TNT into your case. I'm a bid jaded perhaps, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. People on this forum are "enthusiasts" and as "enthusiasts" we sometimes think we must obtain a quality higher than we actually do. My friend is running a Q6600 Quad core, 8800GTX off an absolutely no name $15 - 500 watt power supply, and he's having no problems, even has his quad overclocked to 3.0Ghz at stock voltage. Will it shorten his computer life? Probably...how much? who knows.... Could it take out other components when it drops? Probably. But even my comparitively expensive budget PSU's (xclio and antec) took out a network card when it died - so it's not a guarentee you won't loose components when you have a "recommended" power supply either.

Don't get me wrong - I understand clean power is important, and I've personally noticed very clear gains in overclocking based on nothing more than a power supply upgrade. (200mhz higher stable O/C on a P4 3.2 northwood I had using the Xclio over an older 5volt heavy 400watt PSU).....but I think perhaps our testing tools are sometimes a bit more extreme than necessary --- for the purposes of running a stock system.

The hardware vendors must account for running their equipment on any grade of power....this includes power grids in other countries where it isn't even as regulated as in the US and there is much more fluctuations at the actual outlet! If you want your PC to run 30 years later then having a super high quality PSU might help you meet that goal. If you plan to upgrade in a couple years ---- well...just think it through.

I'm not speaking from inexpierience either...I've been putzing around with computers since I was a kid, and have been in IT since my first job out of college with my BS degree in Network and Computer Mgmt in 2003. Worked a helpdesk for four years, and now am on a server team. I guess it boils down to this. You know all the pre-built systems, Dell, HP, Gateway, Acer, yada yada yada. Those systems have no name power supplies...Pre-built systems is what our company of 1000 local employees run. No name power supplies. You know how many failed power supplies I saw in 4 years on the helpdesk? One. Yeah...One. Just my opinion...everybody has their own.
Click to expand...
Well, I've been in IT for many years too yada, yada, yada and my "quality" PSU's have not crapped out on me. That's nothing against you, we've just had different experiences. Just saying. :)
 
HardwareGuru said:
Man.. If that is the Sunbeam Hush 580watt with 25 amps on the +12v that is pretty weak! I would not even hesitate to change it right away. BTW, I hope you're gonna be gaming on a 24" lcd at least. The SLI won't be that useful if you're only on a 19-22" LCD. Anyways....change the PS to be safe. You don't want that $1300 system to go down over a $25 cheapy PS.
Click to expand...

If that really is a sunbeam, your lucky to get 500w out of it :eek: For an SLI system a 650w or preferrably 750w good name brand (like corsair) would be much better. You dont want issues when you overclock - or want a PS pushed to its limits
 
Gabriel said:
Probably doesn't feel comfortable doing it himself... I know I don't.
Click to expand...

the reason i said that was, think if you felt comfortable enough opening up the case and replacing the psu that you would be comfortable building it yourself, but maybe it was just easier to buy it pre-built
 
WHOA, I didnt know newegg sold ibuypower pc's, but then again im canadian and never use newegg.
 
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