Major Upgrade - Can the PSU handle it?

[Wyoming]

I currently have a 350W Q-Tec PSU and I am running the following system:

AMD Duron 700Mhz (Oh yeah - feel the power)
Abit ATI Radeon 9200SE 128MB
Abit NF7S2G
40GB HDD
1x 512MB PC3200 Matrix RAM
CD-ROM, FDD, Windows ME, Coolermaster Centurion 5

I have finally got some money and I'm upgrading to 64-bit and PCI-E and thus my set up will be:

AMD 64 Winchester 3000+ (Oh yes - actual power)
Sapphire X300SE 256MB
Gigabyte K8NF-9
40GB HDD
1x 512MB PC3200 Matrix RAM
CD-ROM, FDD, Windows ME, Coolermaster Centurion 5

I will in the future be adding another module of 512MB RAM, swapping the HDD for an 80GB SATA model with Windows XP Home and changing the graphics card to something that feels affordable (likely to be a mid-range). I run a stock system (with my cash situation I can't afford to take risks).

So will the PSU be able to handle the upgrade or do I have to get a new PSU first?

[mike_w]

I wouldn't run a Q-Tec PSU for what you have now! They are well known for breaking and setting fire to things.

For a new PSU, I went for the Tagan 480W - works fine in my system, and seems to get praise from most people.

[Trippledence]

Considering the PSU is Q-tec it might not, also I would advise going for the 3000+ venice for a few squid more.

[Jonny]

I'd get a new PSU. The 350W Q-Tec will be under strain with that, if it copes at all, and if it blows, it could possibly take out some of your other hardware with it. And if you say you can't afford to take risks...
You don't need massive wattage, but a reliable manufacturer would be a sensible choice.

[Wyoming]

Ok I don't want to spend more than £40 on a PSU (I'm tight out of necessity, honestly). So what are my options?

[Jonny]

Stretch to £43 and get this. (Tagan 380W).
In fact, I'm sure you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
There is a 330W version but I'm not sure if thats enough. Anybody know?

EDIT: Actually, this reckons you should be ok with the cheaper 330W.

[Wyoming]

Ok, I'll go with the Tagan 330W, thanks for the help.

[webbyman]

you could go for a hiper psu, they are a little cheaper but still good quality

[Wyoming]

So would this be suitable for my needs?

Hiper 350W Silent PSU

[arthurleung]

Don't skim on PSU, it may be cheaper at first, and it will become ALOT more expensive as you keep using it.

[SilentDeath]

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...oductID=129219

[Smokey21]

380W Tagan gets my vote.

[RoGuE|SaBeR]

I use Hiper PSU and have never had a problem with them, good sturdy build. Maybe not the tightest or cleanest of lines for overclocking but perfect for a stock machine.

[Wyoming]

I think I'll go with the PSU that SilentDeath suggested. It's fairly inexpensive and I don't like silent PCs, I like them to be loud, so I prefer this slightly noisier PSU anyway. I might order that tonight or tommorrow (having done a price check to find where it is sold most cheaply) and then order the rest of the components in November.

[Jonny]

a)

I like them to be loud.

b)

I might order that tonight or tommorrow (having done a price check to find where it is sold most cheaply) and then order the rest of the components in November.

If you aren't ordering the rest till November, order PSU then too. They probably won't get any better, but the old ones will get cheaper as new models come out.

[Wyoming]

Having started actually reading computer forums and seeing phrases such as:

“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a flaming Q-Tec.”

I wouldn't run a Q-Tec PSU for what you have now! They are well known for breaking and setting fire to things.

I feel a little uneasy with it, so I'm going to replace the PSU now, just to be on the safe side.