Upgrading power supply

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Kryp

n00b
Joined
Dec 1, 2004
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Hi everyone. I have a gateway desktop, 504gr and was looking into upgrading my geforce 6600gt to a 7900gs, but that means I need a larger power supply. I don't know much about building computers, so I thought I would ask here. I went to the gateway website, and to my surprise it seems as though I can upgrade my power supply with any ATX form factor power supply. I was at the impression that computer manufacturers custom designed all the parts, including the power supply.

Anyways, the person suggested I buy the power supply that is "approved" on the gateway site. It is startech, and according to a thread a while ago startech is terrible. It would also cost me like $60 + shipping at the gateway store. So, I would like to ask you guys what I should do. Can I just buy a power supply from newegg and it will work fine?

A question or 2: I am not sure how good the cooling is in the case, would getting a 500W PS create more heat than a 300W that would mean I would need to upgrade cooling as well.

If I can buy any PS and it will work fine, what is considered the top PS's in the market today. I am planning on spending around $50 or less. Thanks a lot.
 
Kryp said:
Hi everyone. I have a gateway desktop, 504gr and was looking into upgrading my geforce 6600gt to a 7900gs, but that means I need a larger power supply. I don't know much about building computers, so I thought I would ask here. I went to the gateway website, and to my surprise it seems as though I can upgrade my power supply with any ATX form factor power supply. I was at the impression that computer manufacturers custom designed all the parts, including the power supply.

Anyways, the person suggested I buy the power supply that is "approved" on the gateway site. It is startech, and according to a thread a while ago startech is terrible. It would also cost me like $60 + shipping at the gateway store. So, I would like to ask you guys what I should do. Can I just buy a power supply from newegg and it will work fine?
Click to expand...

SInce it takes a standard ATX PSU then yes you should be fine.

A question or 2: I am not sure how good the cooling is in the case, would getting a 500W PS create more heat than a 300W that would mean I would need to upgrade cooling as well.
Click to expand...

Maybe but not because of the PSU. A PSU only puts out as much power as your system needs. So it can put out 0-500w. Now your new videocard will affect the power consumption so that may dictate some new cooling neccesities.

If I can buy any PS and it will work fine, what is considered the top PS's in the market today. I am planning on spending around $50 or less. Thanks a lot.
Click to expand...

YOu aren't going to get near the top of the market at 50 ;)

I would look at something like the Enhance ENP-5140GH at $56 from ewiz.
 
well actually i meant top manufacturer's of psu's. I think antec is popular... I've never heard of enhanced. Is it good quality?
 
Kryp said:
well actually i meant top manufacturer's of psu's. I think antec is popular... I've never heard of enhanced. Is it good quality?
Click to expand...
Very good quality. ;)

That dual pricing is weird, retail vs bulk?
 
Kryp said:
well actually i meant top manufacturer's of psu's. I think antec is popular... I've never heard of enhanced. Is it good quality?
Click to expand...

At 50 dollars you still aren't going to get the top manufacturterers but a pretty common top three are:

Zippy/Emacs
Estasis
Win-Tact/PC Power and Cooling
 
ok, that was a lot of help. Thanks. I'll let you guys know which one I decide to go with.
 
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