US Components, in UK Rig

Gas Panic! · 12 Sep 2006 at 01:51

Hi,

Just a quick check... if I bought a CPU in America, could I use it in a UK-built PC (ie. UK PSU, UK Mobo etc) without it exploding/not functioning/etc etc.

I would assume components, bar PSUs, were region-free, but I just want to check.

Thanks.

J.B · 12 Sep 2006 at 01:53

yep should work, dont shot me if ** rig blows though!

KizZ · 12 Sep 2006 at 02:27

Should work.

Gas Panic! · 12 Sep 2006 at 12:18

"Should". Oh dear.

Will let you know... :eek:

Zefan · 12 Sep 2006 at 12:21

No reason why they shouldn't work. All the internal voltages are identical, it's what we have PSU's for.

Explicit · 12 Sep 2006 at 12:22

Rivey said:
"Should". Oh dear.

Will let you know...

It's been nice knowing you...

Magic Man · 12 Sep 2006 at 12:25

Gas Panic! · 12 Sep 2006 at 12:42

Explicit said:
It's been nice knowing you...

Haha. I keep having these images of me turning on my PC, and then hearing a deep "poomft" noise from inside my case.

Thanks guys, that's reassured me.

Werewolf · 12 Sep 2006 at 13:23

Most PC parts are the same regardless of where in the world you buy them, the only differences are normally
1: Mains adaptors/PSU's (different input voltages and/or plugs*).
2: TV cards due to different broadcast standards (although I think many now work with any of the normal standards).
3: Wireless cards - although it's often morethem not always having the same selection of frequencies if they've got localised firmware (IIRC the EU allows for one less frequency than the U.S.), but they will still work together just with less channels to choose from.

*Although many are multi-voltage and just need a switch flicked, or the mains lead replaced for a standard one in the country you are taking it to.

nikebee · 12 Sep 2006 at 13:55

it'll be fine - the only thing that wouldn't (read: shouldn't) work is a PSU because the voltages would be different.

semi-pro waster · 12 Sep 2006 at 14:13

nikebee said:
it'll be fine - the only thing that wouldn't (read: shouldn't) work is a PSU because the voltages would be different.

Older PSUs(some may still have it) used to have a voltage switch so you could change between 230/240v(UK and Europe voltages) and 110v(North America). I don't know if they have been removed from most new PSUs or if it is just because mine is from a UK company that the switch is missing. It may have been removed as a few people managed to set it to the wrong location and blow up their PSUs.

Additionally most laptop power supplies seem to be auto-switching between 230/110v with you only needing to use either an adapter or switch the kettle lead. I'm posting from a Canadian laptop so I can vouch for their ability to work in the UK without problems.

nikebee · 12 Sep 2006 at 16:07

semi-pro waster said:
Older PSUs(some may still have it) used to have a voltage switch so you could change between 230/240v(UK and Europe voltages) and 110v(North America). I don't know if they have been removed from most new PSUs or if it is just because mine is from a UK company that the switch is missing. It may have been removed as a few people managed to set it to the wrong location and blow up their PSUs.

Additionally most laptop power supplies seem to be auto-switching between 230/110v with you only needing to use either an adapter or switch the kettle lead. I'm posting from a Canadian laptop so I can vouch for their ability to work in the UK without problems.

i'm aware of the older PSUs having switches, however i haven't seen a voltage switch on any (fairly) new PSU in quite some time.

didn't know about the laptops though... thats quite handy, shall look into that as my mum uses a pretty modern lappy and it would be cool to use it overseas.