Couple of noob questions (PSU + 64bit)

SoapSurgeon · 17 Jan 2010 at 18:40

OK I've been out of the PC building lark for a while. My last build was meant to be an HTPC but it is far too big so lives in my office.

I bought the Antec Fusion case + PSU which I believe is:

Antec 350w 80+ PSU (Proprietary size)

This is powering an AMD X2 5050e, 4GB ram and 2 x 1TB hard drives. I have just bought an ASUS ATI 5770 - will the PSU be enough? I'm thinking no. If it is not enough, what will happen? Will it blow up my pc/face/house?

Also, I just read on here something about needing 64bit OS to make use of 4GB ram + 1GB of gfx ram. I run W7 32bit, I have access to 64bit for free but I guess I would have wasted my 32bit copy by activating it

Will I notice a big difference?

Cheers.

Vision · 17 Jan 2010 at 19:24

I'd say the PSU isn't enough. If you were to use it and it wasn't enough power, worst case scenario it would set alight. It may power everything for a little while but then break, taking the CPU and mobo with it.

As for the ram, you'd be better off using a 64bit copy. You'd be losing out on quite a bit if you stick with 32bit but that probably wouldn't stop you playing most games. Also, if your copy is retail, you should be able to unistall it and re-install on a different computer? So long as it's not on more than one at a time.

SoapSurgeon · 17 Jan 2010 at 22:07

OK, I probably wont risk the PSU, can you recommend me an adequate one? I'll probably be getting a new case too, so combos are fine.

Hmm, I got Windows 7 from the academic alliance, don't know if its retail, but I'm guessing not. I can probably get another CD key from uni if I have to though. I might have a mess with 64bit

Samueltastic · 17 Jan 2010 at 22:22

Yeah 32 bit OS will only recognize 3GB of memory.

As for a PSUhttp://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-037-OC&tool=3

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CA-014-CS&groupid=701&catid=123&subcat=

That should do fine

Biz.Kid09 · 17 Jan 2010 at 22:30

A 550w or above will be more than enough...........You can probably get away with the Corsair CX400w

pcAnywhere · 18 Jan 2010 at 07:21

Biz.Kid09 said:
A 550w or above will be more than enough...........You can probably get away with the Corsair CX400w

Ditto. Although the Antec could well be powerful enough as the new 5-series ATIs have low power requirements.

SoapSurgeon · 18 Jan 2010 at 07:47

Well can I try it and see? I just don't want to risk breaking any components :-/

EsaT · 18 Jan 2010 at 15:01

AT Orchard said:
I'd say the PSU isn't enough.

And I say you need to install this into your car so it has enough power to haul your shopping bag:
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc86/TastesLikeChicken_bucket/prime_mover.gif

pcAnywhere said:
as the new 5-series ATIs have low power requirements.

Mainstream graphics cards have never needed half kW PSU.

Worst case (FurMark) consumption of HD5770 is 80W with 60W being closer to actual gaming consumption.
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/radeon-hd5770-hd5750_5.html#sect0