ATX2.0 PSU

[nheather]

Thinking of upgrading my system. I am looking at two motherboards

Abit KN8
Asus A8N

I'm unsure whether I will need a new PSU.

The blurb for the Asus specifically states that an ATX2.0 PSU is required but that for the Abit does not.

I'm aware that one difference is a 24pin connector versus a 20pin connector and have read that this can be solved with a convertor or just plug the 20pin plug in the 24pin socket.

My PSU is a 400W or 450W Enermex but I'm pretty sure that it is ATX1.3.

I'd rather not replace the PSU - I feel it is a good one and would prefer to put the money towards a better graphics card or SATA hard disk.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[Phemo]

I have an Asus A8N SLi Premium with a 3 year old Enermax 550 watt ATX 1.x compliant PSU - obviously 20 pin. It's working just fine with no adapter or anything, I just have the other 4 pins unconnected.

Simple thing to do is to just try it. Given my experience (and many other people's too) you should be fine but I'm making no guarantees

 

[nheather]

Thanks,

Certainly worth a try .... but I've just read the specs on a Radeon X1800 XT and it mandates a 600W minimum PSU.

I know mine is nothing like that (450W tops - may even be 400W).

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[lee87]

Thanks,

Certainly worth a try .... but I've just read the specs on a Radeon X1800 XT and it mandates a 600W minimum PSU.

I know mine is nothing like that (450W tops - may even be 400W).

Cheers,

Nigel

You don't need a 600W psu for a X1800XT. Along as it's a decent make and above 400W it should be fine. Enermax are a good make so yours should be ok, you might have to buy a PCI-e 6 pin convertor as it's not atx2.

How many amps does the 12V rail have on your PSU?

 

[Joe42]

Thanks,

Certainly worth a try .... but I've just read the specs on a Radeon X1800 XT and it mandates a 600W minimum PSU.

I know mine is nothing like that (450W tops - may even be 400W).

Cheers,

Nigel

The reason they say that is because there are some 600w psu's that are less powerfull on the 12v rail than a 450w version so they say it to be safe. You can't judge a psu on its wattage anymore, you have to look at the combined wattage of the 12 rail(s) and see if its enough for your components.

I imagine a X1800XT will draw less than 50w under load.

 

[nheather]

Haven't got the box for my PSU anymore.

Just had to remove the PSU from the computer so that I could read the label - why can't they put the label on one of the 4 sides not obscurred by the chassis

Anyway the bad news is that my memory was failing me. Not a 450W, not even a 400W - it's a 350W - I was a bit surprised - testement to enermax though because it has been rock solid and never faltered.

Specs are

+3.3V - 32A
+5V - 32A
+12V - 26A
-5V - 1A
-12V - 1A

Guess it's going to be a new PSU aswell - shame because this one is so good and has never let me down.

Bit of a bummer really - would rather have spent the £60 somewhere else - still can't be helped.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[lee87]

I think the minimum amps on the 12V rail for a X1800XT is 26A, so your right on the border. If the rest of your spec doesn't use that much power then it might work fine with that psu.
Whats your system?

 

[nheather]

It will be

MoBo - Asus A8N-E or Abit KN8 Ultra
GPU - Radeon X1800 XT
CPU - AMD 64 3000 or 3200 (Venice) overclocked
Memory - 1GB Corsair PC3200 DDR400
Heatsink - Arctic 64 Freezer Pro
DVD - LG Super Multi Writer 4163
CD - LiteOn 52327S
Sound - SonicFury
Hard Disk - 160GB Seagate Barracuda

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[lee87]

If the cpu is at stock I think the psu will be fine, but when it's overclocked I think it will struggle. I would get a new psu just to be on the safe side.
I would go for a Tagan 480W or above.

 

[Joe42]

I think the minimum amps on the 12V rail for a X1800XT is 26A, so your right on the border. If the rest of your spec doesn't use that much power then it might work fine with that psu.
Whats your system?

Again thats the same as the 600w thing. Its a worst case scenario where a user would have an extremely power hungry system.
That card will draw 4.5 amps max off the 12v rail.
A dual core cpu would draw 8 so yours would be less.
The rest of the system would probably draw around 6 amps, i can't be bothered to check each part so its a guess.
Anything with over 20A/240w on the 12v rail ought to be more than enough.

 

[nheather]

Thanks for the advice Joe42,

I would like to give my existing PSU a chance.

I'm assuming that if I do use it and it isn't man enough it won't cause any physical damage - just reset/crash.

Does that sound right?

Cheers,

Nigel

 

[Joe42]

Being a good quality enermax it ought to just shut itself off.
However 350w even from a good make is sailing a little close to the wind...

However if it was me i would give it a go i think.