ATX/ATX2.0

Hi,

After my problems with a power supply and a hot computer (don't ask), I've
decided upon another power supply which will also help to cool the computer
a little.

However, the one I've seen is an ATX2.0 supply. I think my computer is an
ATX design. Are they compatible?

Thanks

Kroma wrote

After my problems with a power supply and a hot computer (don't ask),
I've decided upon another power supply which will also help to cool
the computer a little.

However, the one I've seen is an ATX2.0 supply. I think my computer is an ATX design. Are they
compatible?

Yes, usually. The main difference is that a 24 pin connector is used
instead of the earlier 20 pin connector. The best of the current ATX
2.0 supplys have the extra 4 pins removable so you have a 20 pin
connector for the motherboards that only have a 20 pin connector.

"Kroma" wrote in message
...
Hi,

After my problems with a power supply and a hot computer (don't ask), I've
decided upon another power supply which will also help to cool the
computer a little.

Unless your case has no airflow at all at present, then a new power supply
will probably not help greatly to cool things - you'd be better with intake
and exhaust case fans, maybe even some ducting for that.

On Thu, 1 Feb 2007 23:06:49 -0000, "Kroma"
wrote:

Hi,

After my problems with a power supply and a hot computer (don't ask), I've
decided upon another power supply which will also help to cool the computer
a little.

However, the one I've seen is an ATX2.0 supply. I think my computer is an
ATX design. Are they compatible?

Thanks


Yes but the older your system is, the more likely it needs
more 5V current, not as much 12V current. It would be
helpful if you listed all the major components and your
proposed replacement supply make, model (and it's 5V & 12v
current ratings).

"kony" wrote in message
...


Yes but the older your system is, the more likely it needs
more 5V current, not as much 12V current. It would be
helpful if you listed all the major components and your
proposed replacement supply make, model (and it's 5V & 12v
current ratings).

The motherboard is an Asus P4S800 and the replacement PSU will hopefully be
one of these: http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/115238

There is very little airflow at the moment. The PSU I'm looking at has a
large fan and I'm also getting an additional fan. This may work best as a
front intake fan, if not I'll use it as an additional rear exhaust fan.

Thanks,

Kroma

On Fri, 2 Feb 2007 23:14:04 -0000, "Kroma"
wrote:


"kony" wrote in message
.. .


Yes but the older your system is, the more likely it needs
more 5V current, not as much 12V current. It would be
helpful if you listed all the major components and your
proposed replacement supply make, model (and it's 5V & 12v
current ratings).

The motherboard is an Asus P4S800 and the replacement PSU will hopefully be
one of these: http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/115238

I mentioned "all major components" above because it is not
only the motherboard considered when estimating the current
requirements for a system. We could guess, but still have
insufficient info to determine if that PSU is appropriate.
At least we do know the board uses 12V rail (stepped down
by the board to lower voltage) to power the CPU, so the 5V
current capability of the PSU is not so much of an issue.

That is a reasonably good PSU, will probably be sufficient
unless you have a lot of hard drives or a power hungry,
higher-end gaming video card(s).


There is very little airflow at the moment.

Don't depend on the PSU to cool the case. Improve the case
airflow sufficiently while ignoring the impact of the PSU on
case cooling.


The PSU I'm looking at has a
large fan and I'm also getting an additional fan. This may work best as a
front intake fan, if not I'll use it as an additional rear exhaust fan.


The purpose of the large fan is to produce less noise, but
if the case isn't cooled well (otherwise), the fan may
increase in RPM to compensate and no longer be so quiet.

As per AMD and Intel recommendations, a case should have a
rear exhaust fan in addition to the PSU exhaust, and a
reasonably sized intake area on the front, bottom of the
case. The rear exhaust fan should be the first fan added to
the case, then if this isn't enough, you would pay more
attention to which parts are still running too hot and go
from there planning which further fan locations will address
those parts, OR if it isn't a fan but rather a heatsink
problem. Front fans are generally used when there isnt'
enough room for a good sized fan in the rear or if the hard
drives need more airflow, due to having a lot of them or
that the case is designed such that it doesn't concentrate
enough of the passive intake air through the drive rack and
adding the fan will blow, redirect more air through the
drive rack.

"kony" wrote in message
...

I mentioned "all major components" above because it is not
only the motherboard considered when estimating the current
requirements for a system.

OK, as well as the Asus P4S800 motherboard, I have:
- an Intel Pentium 4 CPU running at 2.66Mhz
- 2 Seagate hard drives (both 7200rpm models)
- An Nvidia GeForce FX5200 graphics card
- A PCI modem card
- A Compro T300 TV card
- A DVD rom drive
- A DVD RW drive
- A 3.5 Floppy Drive
- A Soundblaster Audigy 2 Soundcard

plus USB peripherals (including an always on graphics tablet/mouse and a
webcam).

Add to that the 80mm fan which I have just ordered!

Will the PSU I'm looking at suffice?

Thanks in advance,

Kroma

On Sat, 3 Feb 2007 22:12:28 -0000, "Kroma"
wrote:


"kony" wrote in message
.. .

I mentioned "all major components" above because it is not
only the motherboard considered when estimating the current
requirements for a system.

OK, as well as the Asus P4S800 motherboard, I have:
- an Intel Pentium 4 CPU running at 2.66Mhz
- 2 Seagate hard drives (both 7200rpm models)
- An Nvidia GeForce FX5200 graphics card
- A PCI modem card
- A Compro T300 TV card
- A DVD rom drive
- A DVD RW drive
- A 3.5 Floppy Drive
- A Soundblaster Audigy 2 Soundcard

plus USB peripherals (including an always on graphics tablet/mouse and a
webcam).

Add to that the 80mm fan which I have just ordered!

Will the PSU I'm looking at suffice?


Yes, because you don't have a lot of HDDs or a power
hungrier video card it should be acceptible.

"kony" wrote in message
...

Yes, because you don't have a lot of HDDs or a power
hungrier video card it should be acceptible.

OK, thanks for your help.

I've actually upgraded my purchase to a 430W supply because, with a pack of
DVD-Rs, it went over the Free Shipping barrier and actually worked out only
30 pence more expensive than the 380W model. That should allow me to add
more kit in the future without worry!

I've got the fan coming as well and will monitor my temperatures to see if I
need more cooling.

At the moment though I'm running at a motherboard temp of 40C - phew! As a
consequence I'm trying to limit my computer use somewhat!

Thanks again,

Kroma