How to Determine power supply of my computer?

Question

I'm about to buy a new video/graphics card for my computer...however some of these cards have specific power requirements.

How do i determine how much wattage my current power supply has? Is there some way to find it under Windows XP?

thanks

I could have sworn that you can get a readout of your power supply in Windows Safe Mode or something like that...because once I had to restart my computer and while it was booting up, a few lines flashed across the screen, among which was what I think was the power supply wattage. But now I'm not so sure...

Answer 1

Answer:

You can determine the total output of a power supply by physically examining the power supply. All power supplies, like the one shown to the right, have a sticker on the power supply that gives all important specifications, including the total output of the power supply. For example, this power supply would list the total output as 330W (330 Watt power supply).
If you have a computer that is already assembled, you can determine how big the power supply is by opening the computer and examining the power supply. Additional information about how to open the computer can be found on document CH000765.

If you're unable to find a sticker or any identification on the power supply from examining it while installed in the computer it's possible that the identification may be on a side that is not visible. If this is the case you would need to remove the power supply before being able to identify it.

Answer 2

No way to determine it in windows. You need to look at each component's power consumption specs (including case fans and any USB device you plan to power from the port). Add Hard drives, floppy, CD/DVD, motherboard and processor (which in most cases now uses its own power connector), processor fan, video, network, sound, etc. If you are using on-board sound, net, etc, they will be included in the mainboard specs. After all that is added, I like to bump it up by 30% or so. but in practice I never put in anything less than a 450 watt unit. Go even higher if you are putting together a gaming box. Power supplies are inexpensive nowadays, and undersized units are a major cause of lockups. I like the Antec dual fan units as they are quiet and not all that expensive. There are better PSUs, but the Antecs seem to be a good mix of quality and price.

Your current PSU will have the rated output on a label affixed to the unit.

Answer 3

No way under XP to find out. On the side of the power supply is a sticker. Usually the wattage is listed on it, and sometimes the model number uses the wattage.

Answer 4

maximum uncomplicated desktops are working 300w or so, while you're starting to be to be into distinctive harddrives and video taking part in cards, then you actual're finding at seven hundred+, do no longer forget approximately, the bigger the psu the extra warmth it generates.