A power supply is an easy replacement. The only thing that might make it more of a job is if there are other components blocking the access. They would then require removal and reinstallation. You should be able to get a good power supply in the 450W to 500W range for about $50. I notice a couple of power supplies at newegg for slightly less than $50 with top ratings from numerous users. Yes - more is OK until a lot more is wasting money. Also, you want to leave room for future upgrades that might require more power than at present. There are power splitters. I've never had a problem using them though I try to use splitters between a higher power user and a lower power user OR put several very low power users (fans) on one line using a couple of splitters. Tom Mayer Andrew J. Rozsa wrote: > Thank you, Tom. This is my first homebuilt so I still have some rough > spots. In the past, I have had to replace almost everything, at one > time or another, but never a PS. Hence my ignorance, although I have > started reading about them as much as I can. I know now that some of > the better rated PSs are over $100 and I am pretty sure I don't want > to go there. It would be an overkill. Maybe for my future superbox > creation. ;-) > > Are you saying that "more is OK?" I used the calculator at eXtreme > Power http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp and came up > with 434W. I thought if I get a nice quiet PS that shows stable > voltage output in the 450W range I ought to be OK.Tom's Hardware > recommends Antec, Fortron And Zalman. > <http://www.tomshardware.com/2003/06/09/high_power_for_power_users/page19.html>. > I think I will look at these 3 brands. > > What do you do if the new PS has fewer connectors than you need? Are > there any power connector splitters and are they safe to use? > > I think I'll buy another slot fan. I am not going to argue with MWave > over $5. > > Thanks for the reply, Tom. Appreciate it. > > Andrew > > > > At 1/15/2007 09:22 AM, Tom wrote: > >Your Power Supply question will likely get a number of responses. > >Although there are many sources, I normally buy power supplies through > >www.newegg.com because they are reliable and have a wide range of power > >supplies. Don't limit yourself to only 450W as there may be a higher > >powered or better PS for less cost due to some promotional pricing. As > >to make, Antec has served me well although there are other good brands. > >Most recent PS's will work with multiple power needs directly or through > >included adapters. You can try to match your current specs. > > > >My slot fan is on whenever the computer is on. There are adapters > >available to change from male to female or female to male. If there were > >directions with your fan, do they have any hint as to the cause of your > >apparent problem? The fan could be defective. > > > >Tom Mayer > > > >Andrew J. Rozsa wrote: > >> 1. I come to believe that my system's PS is suspect. I would like to > >> replace it. How does one figure out which PS to get? What determines > >> what specific model one buys: size of the case (desktop), type of the > >> MB (mine is an 865), etc.? Do all PSs come with the same number of > >> connectors? Any preferences? Since I may have to leave the box open > >> for a while, I'd like one with a quiet fan. > >> > >> What's inside the box now is a: > >> > >> Powmax > >> ATX Switching PS > >> Model No. LP-8800D > >> > >> It's a 400W model and it's ATX 2.03 and ATX12V 1.1 compliant, whatever > >> that means. I would like to go up a notch to a 450W. > >> > >> If there is primer on PSs, please point me in the right direction. > >> > >> 2. The slot fan I got has two power plugs: a male and a female. I > >> connected the female to a connector from the PS. Nothing happens. Do > >> these things start spinning if the temperature goes to certain level > >> or am I supposed to find a second connector for the male plug, > >> although I don't see any free ones? > >> > >> I will be grateful for your help. > >> > >> Andrew > >> > >> > > > > PCBUILD maintains hundreds of useful files for download visit our download web page at: http://freepctech.com/downloads.shtml