Will a higher wattage cause problems for my system?

[zwedru]

Hello All,
I have an older system and the power supply went out on twice. The relace part number I found has a higher watts. The one w\that went out is 145 Watts and the replacement is 450 watts. If I do the replacement, will I damage anything in my PC? Any help will greatly be appreciated.

 

[edfair]

No problem. Too many is better than too few. The new one should last a lot longer since it won't be stressed at all.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[BadBigBen]

As Edfair said... No Problem at all...

Wattage = Work, so the equation is the more Wattage the more work it can do... simple...

btw. 145w PSU? that sounds like an OLD PC...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[electronicsfreak]

Only reccomendation as old as this thing seems, ensure that the old power supply is atx. Otherwords if its not and its an old at power supply then the new one will not work. I doubt your using an old at power supply but id still check to be sure.

 

[paparazi]

Absolutely fine!
Think of it this way: It is better running a PSU at 30% than running one stressed at 95%.

Just two words of caution:

1)Is the replacement physically the same size and wired the same (as in Dell/Compaq proprietory etc) 145watts would indicate that this PSU is either very old or has been taken out of a micro ATX/SFX/TFX small form factor case.
So might be smaller than standard see:

http://www.directron.com/matxps.html

so might be smaller than standard SEE:

2) Quality/Quality/Quality! I cannot stress enough, the importance of a good quality power supply.

Look for makes like: FSP, Fortron power, channelWell Technology, Tagen, Enermax, Zalman, Antec, sparkle, Thermaltake, Coolermaster, Jeantech etc
Martin



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Participate and help others.

 

[Gavona]

Great to see a list of makes to look out for. I am replacing a 230w power supply as my new graphics card is too much for it. I was wondering how stupid it would be to buy the really cheap 500w job from ebuyer.co.uk for under £15. So overpowered that it would be really unstressed in my system? Alternative seemed to be to spend 5 TO 10 times that on a more respected make (350w). I haven't yet researched all those makes. The ebuyer one gets decent customer feedback.


Gavin

 

[wasisnt]

What are the specs on this PC? That seems like its a pretty old power supply. Make sure the new one has the same type of connectors.

http://www.onlinecomputertips.com

 

[zwedru]

It is a Compaq Presario 700 Mhz, Intel Celeron
Here is the replacement part 127999-001. I got this PC back in 1999. HOw do I know if it is ATX or the other type you guys are talking about. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Atx will have one big rectangular connector. At will have 2 thin rectangular connectors.

 

[paparazi]

Well it definately appears to be ATX and not AT
See these links:
The top one offers a 480watt replacement but obviously I cannot comment on it's quality.

On this site look second from the bottom, definately ATX but it's anyones guess as to wether the wiring is proprietory Compaq or not (my guess is not but who's going to take the chance)

http://www.affordablesurplus.com/compaq-127999-001-power-supply.asp

http://www.power-on.com/oematx.html

Martin

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Participate and help others.

 

[zwedru]

I just got chat with a Compaq support Rep and he said should not buy a PSU over 250 watts, else I may damage my motherboard. Is this true? I asked how can I know if a replacement will fit in my machine, he asked to take it to a computer store. I want to order one online because I am close to a computer store.

 

[edfair]

Evidently the Compaq training isn't as good as it needs to be. Just because it is capable of providing over that amount doesn't mean that the M/B will take that much.

There are potential problems getting generic replacement parts to fit into propriatory fitted machines. Some manufacturers build with non-standard parts to keep you as a customer. Some of us who repair won't play the game. We'll go to great lengths to avoid having to depend on the special parts, like replacing cases, power supplies, floppies, and CDs.

Ed Fair
Give the wrong symptoms, get the wrong solutions.

 

[paparazi]

zwedru
The "Compaq Rep" you talked to was almost definately just a salesman, his head would have been full of product sheets and company policy but with no hands on technical expertise, he was just playing it safe and towing the line.

Rest assured no harm will come of you machine by fitting a larger capacity power supply as long as it is compatibe (and thats nothing to do with it's power, just wether Compaq in there wisdom has chosen to deviate from the standard ATX form factor specification)
It should be pretty easy just to take your old PSU to the local vendor and compare a standard PSU to the old one (just to make sure the wiring and physical dimensions are the same)
Martin
Ma

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