Need New Power Supply

[baileywhite1998]

I was given an unfinished computer that needs a new power supply. The current one doesn't seem to be powerful enough. The computer won't always start, and it won't power everything at once. I do not have any info on the CPU, motherboard, or the video card, so I don't know what I need to get. It isn't a powerful system, an unknown cpu and motherboard, an old very basic graphics card, hard drives, and fans. I do know that the case was built in 2004. Also I don't know about compatibility with newer Power Supplies, and what is in the computer now. Here is a picture of the chart on the current Power Supply https://plus.google.com/photos/107277368584058760634/albums/5899908847101897585?authkey=CO3YpP7QupDV5AE. I need to know what to look for. I would love a recommendation.

 

[baileywhite1998]

Here is a blurry picture of the inside of the computer.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/OZN0_B0FeS_DAJegyRcYsrmvLskcrM7Gx85fCTQoHuE?feat=directlink

That's the same picture of your power supply unit's label that you posted earlier.

Sorry! Don't know what happened. Hopefully this will work. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1pOStWpkl3Y/UeDMK1eip_I/AAAAAAAABWg/646yZbTEDnc/s720/image-1.jpeg

 

[ko888]

Sorry! Don't know what happened. Hopefully this will work. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1pOStWpkl3Y/UeDMK1eip_I/AAAAAAAABWg/646yZbTEDnc/s720/image-1.jpeg

The system, as currently configured in your picture, never required a 630 Watt power supply unit.

 

[baileywhite1998]

Sorry! Don't know what happened. Hopefully this will work. https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1pOStWpkl3Y/UeDMK1eip_I/AAAAAAAABWg/646yZbTEDnc/s720/image-1.jpeg

The system, as currently configured in your picture, never required a 630 Watt power supply unit.

Well, what do I need? If it is not underpowered than is the problem? Is It just a bad power supply? If I don't getting a better answer I am going with Blackbirds recommendation. I am upgrading in the future. I appreciate everyones efforts by the way.

 

[Onus]

Yep. Let us know what graphics card you mean to add though, so the replacement PSU can be big enough without being extravagant.
Actually...that looks like a sufficiently old mobo (reminds me of my wife's old Gigabyte AM2+ board) that it probably takes DDR2, might only be PCIe1.1, and bears a CPU sufficiently ancient that performance in modern programs, especially games, will be sorely disappointing.

 

[baileywhite1998]

Yep. Let us know what graphics card you mean to add though, so the replacement PSU can be big enough without being extravagant.
Actually...that looks like a sufficiently old mobo (reminds me of my wife's old Gigabyte AM2+ board) that it probably takes DDR2, might only be PCIe1.1, and bears a CPU sufficiently ancient that performance in modern programs, especially games, will be sorely disappointing.

I am only planning to use this for the mean time. I can't get a very good computer right now, but I need a better one than I have right now. All I need is basic video editing, no gaming except for maybe Minecraft. I have no idea what graphics card I will get, maybe none.

 

[ko888]

It looks like a GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 3 series motherboard. Most likely the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P model.

Socket 775, Intel P45 Express Chipset, PCI Express Revision 1.1, dual channel DDR2 1366+

Graphics card looks like an ATI/AMD Radeon HD ???? that consumes less than 75 Watts since there doesn't appear to be any PCI-E power connectors attached to it.

The SeaSonic S12II 380B 380W ATX12V v2.3 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply is even able to power your system configuration with no problem.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151072

 

[fkr]

to do the rebate or not.
i hate MIR

 

[Onus]

KO, the Delta-built EA-380D (also 80+ bronze) should offer equivalent quality to the Seasonic; I just happen to be more familiar with it so it gets my recommendation, but either would do nicely.
Anyway, returning to the picture...I see only one stick of RAM installed. Additional RAM will be DDR2, and won't be movable to a new system. The stated application, "video editing," very likely will need more RAM, but it might not.
The question is, can this PC be made useful at minimal cost? Ok, let's assume the existing PSU is failing, and must be replaced. One of the 380W units we have mentioned is all this machine needs. If, when you buy or build a completely new PC, you intend to keep this one around as a backup, sell it, or donate it, then get one of those PSUs. If you intend to scrap this one entirely, then get the larger one SR-71 mentioned, planning to re-use it in the new computer. With the possible exception of some drives, none of the other parts in this PC will be re-usable. I see that the optical drive is currently not connected; the picture is blurry but it looks like an IDE drive (uses a ribbon cable for data).
If you know of a local techie who can help you get this PC running again, great. If not, I still think working with a small local shop might be a good long term investment in time and a little money. You might pay a higher price for parts, but you'll probably get some freebies too, and service.

 

[baileywhite1998]

KO, the Delta-built EA-380D (also 80+ bronze) should offer equivalent quality to the Seasonic; I just happen to be more familiar with it so it gets my recommendation, but either would do nicely.
Anyway, returning to the picture...I see only one stick of RAM installed. Additional RAM will be DDR2, and won't be movable to a new system. The stated application, "video editing," very likely will need more RAM, but it might not.
The question is, can this PC be made useful at minimal cost? Ok, let's assume the existing PSU is failing, and must be replaced. One of the 380W units we have mentioned is all this machine needs. If, when you buy or build a completely new PC, you intend to keep this one around as a backup, sell it, or donate it, then get one of those PSUs. If you intend to scrap this one entirely, then get the larger one SR-71 mentioned, planning to re-use it in the new computer. With the possible exception of some drives, none of the other parts in this PC will be re-usable. I see that the optical drive is currently not connected; the picture is blurry but it looks like an IDE drive (uses a ribbon cable for data).
If you know of a local techie who can help you get this PC running again, great. If not, I still think working with a small local shop might be a good long term investment in time and a little money. You might pay a higher price for parts, but you'll probably get some freebies too, and service.

Do you think it would be worth it just to get a new computer all together? It needs to be cheap though.

 

[Onus]

Most likely, yes, but if you buy a replacement PSU for this one, you won't have wasted any money because you'll be able to move that PSU to a new PC later.
What is your total budget?

 

[baileywhite1998]

Most likely, yes, but if you buy a replacement PSU for this one, you won't have wasted any money because you'll be able to move that PSU to a new PC later.
What is your total budget?

for this computer, no more than $300, for a new one $500.

 

[Onus]

With a budget of $500, I believe you can build something that will significantly outperform this old machine, even if that has to include the operating system. I'll work on a list...

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: AMD FX-4300 3.8GHz Quad-Core Processor ($99.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: Asus M5A97 LE R2.0 ATX AM3+ Motherboard ($68.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix Sport 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($62.13 @ TigerDirect)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($56.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 650 Ti 1GB Video Card ($104.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Cougar Solution (Black) ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: XFX 750W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NS95 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $483.06
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-07-13 12:09 EDT-0400)

 

[Onus]

I like some things about SR-71's build; in particular going with AMD for this one might make sense. Some of the other choices, like the graphics card, are more consistent with a gaming build. Here's an Intel alternative, that has a weaker graphics card but stronger CPU. I believe it will be overall better for video work:

Fractal Design Core 1000 FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:Core 1000 USB 3.0
Item #:N82E16811352032
$49.99 -$10.00 Instant $39.99
Regrettably, Rosewill's budget case offerings that I really used to like have all disappeared, being replaced with cases that don't look so good. There are other choices around this price, but Fractal Design is pretty well known for quality cases. In the interest of saving money, you could re-use your existing case.

Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ...
Model #:BX80637i33220
Item #:N82E16819116775
$129.99 $129.99
This hyperthreaded i3 will be quite snappy compared to whatever's on that old system. If you want to save money here, a Pentium G860 or G2120 could be used, but you'd give up a lot of performance.

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Model #:EA-380D Green
Item #:N82E16817371033
$59.99 -$15.00 Instant $44.99
Hard to argue with a quality 750W unit for only $10 more, except that price is actually after a $25 rebate. Also, this unit is absolutely enough power, and won't fill your case with a maze of unneeded cables.

XFX FX-775A-ZNP4 Radeon HD 7750 Core Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Model #:FX-775A-ZNP4
Item #:N82E16814150612
$119.99 -$30.00 Instant $89.99
I had one of these (until I gave it to my father). It is a decent card; cool-running and never gets loud. It does a passing job with games too. If you want to save money, a HD6570 should still handle Minecraft.

ASUS P8B75-M LX PLUS LGA 1155 Intel B75 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #: P8B75-M LX PLUS
Item #:N82E16813131887
$69.99 $69.99
Looked like a good mix of features for the price, from a top brand. There was an ASRock H77 board in this range too, but having used it I found a few anomalies and thought this one here would be better suited.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Model #:F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Item #:N82E16820231253
$36.99 $36.99
For video editing, 4GB is probably cutting it a little close, but I was trying to stay in budget. This is probably the first thing I'd increase though.

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD5000AAKX
Item #:N82E16822136769
$59.99 $59.99
Standard, consumer hard drive. Sometimes deals on 1TB models pop up (it looks like SR-71 may have found one; grab that drive)

LG 24X DVD Burner - Bare Drive Black SATA Model GH24NS95 - OEM
Model #:GH24NS95
Item #:N82E16827136259
$17.99 $17.99
One optical drive is much like another.

Subtotal: $489.92

If you were building a gamer, I'd take SR-71's build for the better graphics card and a PSU supporting considerable future upgrades. For video editing, however, I think this one will be the better choice because of the stronger CPU. One thing you could do to alter his is replace the CPU with a FX-6300 or FX-8320 and cut back on the graphics and PSU.

 

[baileywhite1998]

I like some things about SR-71's build; in particular going with AMD for this one might make sense. Some of the other choices, like the graphics card, are more consistent with a gaming build. Here's an Intel alternative, that has a weaker graphics card but stronger CPU. I believe it will be overall better for video work:

Fractal Design Core 1000 FD-CA-CORE-1000-USB3-BL Black Steel MicroATX Mid Tower Computer Case
Model #:Core 1000 USB 3.0
Item #:N82E16811352032
$49.99 -$10.00 Instant $39.99
Regrettably, Rosewill's budget case offerings that I really used to like have all disappeared, being replaced with cases that don't look so good. There are other choices around this price, but Fractal Design is pretty well known for quality cases. In the interest of saving money, you could re-use your existing case.

Intel Core i3-3220 Ivy Bridge 3.3GHz LGA 1155 55W Dual-Core Desktop Processor ...
Model #:BX80637i33220
Item #:N82E16819116775
$129.99 $129.99
This hyperthreaded i3 will be quite snappy compared to whatever's on that old system. If you want to save money here, a Pentium G860 or G2120 could be used, but you'd give up a lot of performance.

Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power ...
Model #:EA-380D Green
Item #:N82E16817371033
$59.99 -$15.00 Instant $44.99
Hard to argue with a quality 750W unit for only $10 more, except that price is actually after a $25 rebate. Also, this unit is absolutely enough power, and won't fill your case with a maze of unneeded cables.

XFX FX-775A-ZNP4 Radeon HD 7750 Core Edition 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 x16 HDCP Ready Video Card
Model #:FX-775A-ZNP4
Item #:N82E16814150612
$119.99 -$30.00 Instant $89.99
I had one of these (until I gave it to my father). It is a decent card; cool-running and never gets loud. It does a passing job with games too. If you want to save money, a HD6570 should still handle Minecraft.

ASUS P8B75-M LX PLUS LGA 1155 Intel B75 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS
Model #: P8B75-M LX PLUS
Item #:N82E16813131887
$69.99 $69.99
Looked like a good mix of features for the price, from a top brand. There was an ASRock H77 board in this range too, but having used it I found a few anomalies and thought this one here would be better suited.

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Model #:F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT
Item #:N82E16820231253
$36.99 $36.99
For video editing, 4GB is probably cutting it a little close, but I was trying to stay in budget. This is probably the first thing I'd increase though.

Western Digital WD Blue WD5000AAKX 500GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive - OEM
Model #:WD5000AAKX
Item #:N82E16822136769
$59.99 $59.99
Standard, consumer hard drive. Sometimes deals on 1TB models pop up (it looks like SR-71 may have found one; grab that drive)

LG 24X DVD Burner - Bare Drive Black SATA Model GH24NS95 - OEM
Model #:GH24NS95
Item #:N82E16827136259
$17.99 $17.99
One optical drive is much like another.

Subtotal: $489.92

If you were building a gamer, I'd take SR-71's build for the better graphics card and a PSU supporting considerable future upgrades. For video editing, however, I think this one will be the better choice because of the stronger CPU. One thing you could do to alter his is replace the CPU with a FX-6300 or FX-8320 and cut back on the graphics and PSU.

I do want to play Minecraft on it if possible. So would Blackbirds be better? Or is it just not powerful enough for video editing, and possibly some effects work?

 

[Onus]

Minecraft is not a very demanding game; either of our systems would run it just fine. You could make his stronger for video work by getting a FX-6300 ($120) or FX-8320 ($160) CPU instead. Use my video card and/or PSU to bring the cost back down.

 

[baileywhite1998]

Minecraft is not a very demanding game; either of our systems would run it just fine. You could make his stronger for video work by getting a FX-6300 ($120) or FX-8320 ($160) CPU instead. Use my video card and/or PSU to bring the cost back down.

I think I will go with blackbirds, but with your changes. Unfortunately I realized I will have to add $100 for Windows 7.

 

[Onus]

Sounds good. I have an AMD and an Intel system, and for most things, there isn't a huge difference between them.
It might be interesting to note that they are both plugged into the same UPS, and together are pulling around 324W from it. Neither one is running a game though, which I know would make that much higher.

 

[fkr]

bailey if you know a student you can get a copy of windows allot cheaper and also if you know a tech student they may have free copies of windows 7 and 8. I know i have keys for both

 

[baileywhite1998]

bailey if you know a student you can get a copy of windows allot cheaper and also if you know a tech student they may have free copies of windows 7 and 8. I know i have keys for both

I will work on that.

 

[fkr]

bailey if you know a student you can get a copy of windows allot cheaper and also if you know a tech student they may have free copies of windows 7 and 8. I know i have keys for both

I will work on that.

i wanted to add that what i was saying is %100 legal, there are of course other ways to get software if you didn't really have a choice but those are never to be discussed here.

 

[baileywhite1998]

bailey if you know a student you can get a copy of windows allot cheaper and also if you know a tech student they may have free copies of windows 7 and 8. I know i have keys for both

I will work on that.

i wanted to add that what i was saying is %100 legal, there are of course other ways to get software if you didn't really have a choice but those are never to be discussed here.

Thanks, I will work on it.

 

[baileywhite1998]

Thanks everyone who helped me out. I couldn't ask for more. With this being my first post, I was surprised by all the help I got. Spending last night and today working out what I needed, It was assume. I will report back when I get the computer built. And thanks again!