Power supply for new set up

[Guest]

Hi

am looking to build the following set up:
Gigabyte H55M-USB3
Intel Core i5-750
2x2GB DDR3-1333 SDRAM
Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB
No separate graphics card

I have a Compaq PDP-121P power supply from an old computer. It has a max of 220W and specs of 11A on the 5V, 15A on the 3.33V and 5A on the 12V.

Will this power supply cope with the new setup? If not, which PSUs should I consider?

Cheers

Frankie

 

[JohnnyLucky]

The 5 amps on the +12 volt rail is weak for a modern Intel Core i5 750 system.

Here is a link to a web page from Tom's Hardware article about the Core i5 750 that shows a total pc power consumption in a variety of configurations:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/core-i5-750-overclock,2438-11.html

As you can see power consumption varies depending on the configuration. What do you intend to do with your pc? What applications/programs are you going to run? Is this for a home theater pc? A little more information would help sort things out.

The current best deal at newegg.com for a low wattage power supply is the Corsair CX400 for $54.99 and free shipping. There is another $3 off with promo code EMCYPYX36 that ends March15th. On top of that there is a $15.00 mail-in rebate. That brings the final price down to $36.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Corsair has a reputation for high quality power supplies that consistently earn high marks in technical reviews. They are reliable, stable, and can deliver their rated power.

 

[obsidian86]

and i5 750 wont work without a separate graphics card on a h55 board since the i5 750 doesn have the on die graphics core

 

[JohnnyLucky]

OOPS! I missed the video part.

No graphics chipset on the Gigabyte H55M-USB3 motherboard and no integrated graphics on the cpu die.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the replies - and for spotting my mistake about the integrated graphics (this is my first build!)

I think the answer is to upgrade to the Gigabyte ga p55m ud2 and slip in a very cheap graphics card like Radeon HD 3450 for now. Will Corsair CX400 still be able to handle this? Most intensive use of PC is for a bit of photo-editing in Photoshop.

cheers, Frankie

 

[obsidian86]

the cx400 will handle even a 5670 with ease

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the tips. The CX400 looks great but I forgot to mention I'm hoping to build this in a micro ATX case (since it is lying around). Can I use the CX400 externally - cos I don' think it will fit in the case?

If not, is there an equivalent PSU for the micro-ATX format? Does anyone have experience/thoughts on this one? Diablotek PHD380M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817822001

Cheers, Frankie

 

[obsidian86]

depending on your case,but most micro atx cases accept normal atx power supplies

 

[JohnnyLucky]

+1 what obsidian86 said.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

For future reference.....

Look here to see how much power you need:

http://www.antec.outervision.com/

Look here to see what to buy:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/Recommended_PSUs

Get a 2nd opinion here:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=Search (Hit the "Reviews" radio button and type in your brand or model number)

I'll 2nd ....er 3rd the Corsair VX450 recommendation
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story3&reid=64

here it is ina combo deal w/ your MoBo
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.355728

If ya can't find one, consider the Antec EA-500
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story4&reid=35

Both get a 9.5 performance rating.....also....if ya can manage it budget wise, consider a larger case with better cooling capacity. Here's some newegg Case / PSU deals

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16817371007&SubCategory=58&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1

here's some other deals with the Corsair PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCombos.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003&SubCategory=58&SortField=0&PageSize=10&page=1

 

[Ancient_1]

Thanks for the tips. The CX400 looks great but I forgot to mention I'm hoping to build this in a micro ATX case (since it is lying around). Can I use the CX400 externally - cos I don' think it will fit in the case?

If not, is there an equivalent PSU for the micro-ATX format? Does anyone have experience/thoughts on this one? Diablotek PHD380M
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16817822001

Cheers, Frankie

You didn't state which case you plan to use. Since you asked about the Compaq power supply I would guess it is the case you are planning to reuse. If that is so it does not take either the ATX or Matx standard for size but is a proprietary size (it appears to be about as tall as a ATX and about as wide as a Matx). It also could use proprietary connections to the motherboard, many oem's have done that especially on older models.

Cooling could also be a concern since the older oem's that I have experience with (HP & Dell) also had unique ways they kept them cool.

I did find a modern replacement for the PS here which looks like they just fastened a plate to a Matx PS and drilled it to match the Compaq.

Personally with all the possible problems involved with trying to reuse an old case and PS, I would just bite the bullet and buy a good quality PS like the Corsair and a new case which would be the best choice or a case like this Antec which should have a good enough quality power supply for your needs. Most cases that come with power supplies are such low quality that I would not try to use them on a nice modern quad setup no matter what the wattage rating would be. But Antec even on their lower models are of decent quality and I would trust them.