Followup: How to destermine what power supply wattage you need?

Is there some sort of method of calculation?

Back in the day when I built computers, it was just a generally-known fact that 200W would run a pretty decent system, and anything beefy required 250, or MAYBE 300. I have no idea what the generally-known facts are today... hell, I have to ask Cringe what's on the market every time I need a component at all. I just don't have the time to follow the market anymore.

I've got what *might* be an underperforming 350W... the fan is running slow, that's my only major symptom... not getting any particularly strange lockups, shutdowns, or the like.

So how would I go about figuring out if I need more power? Is there some sort of software util available?

Detach all unnecessary components and see if the fan spins any faster. If not, it's not a power problem.

Goto to this site and page 2 to configure what you need and the article is just good info... Also if buying a new PSU, get a solid name brand dependable one like Enermax or Antec ~~~> there a few other good ones out there but 'say' buying a cheap 600W is not wise even if it has more than enough wattage.. GL..

http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,109379,pg,1,00.asp

Thanks for the link... so let's assume I really am running 100W short (which is sorta scary if true), anyone want to recommend a relatively quiet and dependable 450W?

Look no further.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681 7104954

I've always wanted to get one of those power supplys with the detachable cables. You should check those out, I'm pretty sure Antec and Enermax both make models like that.

Modular PSU's are nice, but they cost much more than their normal counterparts. You shouldn't have any problems arranging the cables in a normal atx case anyway.

I'd like to chime in and say that I've been a fan of Thermaltake power supplies as well as Antec.

Yup, Thermaltake is a good reliable brand too; forgot about that one...

I have installed this one in 3 rigs I have built over the past 2 years:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E1681 7103929

Do check-out www.zipzoomfly.com for hardware and prices too.. ;)