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Question

psu wattage

Feb 12, 2015 9:13PM PST

Hi all,

Got a faulty psu on an old PC running xp. The idea being its for looking at pictures and checking emails...that's all.

The faulty psu was 400w, but i have and old 250w doing nothing so used that. Having run some basic tests like picture viewing/defraging/opening documents all seems fine, No over heating.

Are there any long term problems with a smaller wattage psu? Bearing in mind it will not be used for anything too intensive.

Thanks in advance

Discussion is locked

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Answer
obviously not
Feb 12, 2015 9:30PM PST

It all depends on the power drawn. The biggest power user is the CPU, so if it's low watt, and the video card (or onboard video) is low watt, then you probably will be OK.

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Answer
You can measure if you are stressing it? How?
Feb 12, 2015 11:23PM PST

I use the 20 buck Power Meter like the P3. Since I can measure the actual number of Watts I can see if I exceed my rule of thumb 50 per cent mark.
Bob

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Hey, that's my cheat code.
Feb 13, 2015 3:52AM PST
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/bestsellers/diy/1938287031/ref=pd_zg_hrsr_diy_1_3_last

When I'm shopping a new item I love to use Amazon best sellers list. I predict this will be just fine.

More about 50%. Current PSUs tend to be, on average 80% or better efficient. While we can get more specific with Amperes on each rail, the 50% of max should be good enough for everyday use. So if your Watt meter doesn't exceed 125 Watts for a 250 Watt PSU you should be OK for some time.
Bob