When changing an ATX power supply do you have to put the same watt unit? ex. 150watt -> 400watt?

Question

Taking out a 150watt and installing a 400watt unit. The unit is ATX.

Answer 1

no , just means that the new one can support more devices :)

Answer 2

You can put in as much wattage as your peripherals will need or as much $$$ you are willing to spend.

The higher the wattage, the more juice the PSU can pump out. If you are not using many motorized peripherals like Hard disks, optical drives or multiple high end graphics cards (SLI/CrossFire) you will most probable not need too much power.

The thing about buying a high wattage PSU when you dun need it is the Plain waste of money which could have gone into more useful stuff, like switching out your low capacity hard disk for a bigger one etc.

Answer 3

You don't need a new power supply if all the parts stay the same. But, if you are willing to put parts in like increasing your system memory or your hard drive, then, you should get a new power supply. I suggest that you should get at least 450 watt power supply.

Answer 4

Hi Rich,

No. You don't have to put in a same wattage psu (power supply unit.) Most people would opt for a psu that has a higher wattage if they need to run more drives, more powerful graphics adaptor, tape drives, etc. Do make sure, though, that you buy a psu that uses the same voltage, otherwise you'll fry it.

Answer 5

As long as they both plug into the same stuff, you're pretty much set to go. I wouldn't downgrade though, ESPECIALLY if you only had 150, I'm surprised your computer even ran with that little power. I am on 450 myself, and it barely seems like enough. (I do have two 19"+ monitors and 8 fans though...)

As long as your upgrade or stay the same, you should be all set.

Answer 6

No, I have upgraded form 180 to 350, and there was no problem.

Answer 7

Higher is fine, don't use a smaller one.

Answer 8

no you can do that it just gives the comp more power