Hey all,

I need a new PSU.

for this stuff...

1.2g Athlon tbird
cd-r/rw drive
dvd-r drive
60g ata133 7200rpm Maxtor HD
floppy drive
sound blaster audigy
Radeon 9700pro
agere 56k modem
...it has a case fan too.

It is actually a HP Pavilion 8870 (1.2g athlon version).

I am not sure the rating of the current PSU but I think it may be??? 180w?? Regardless, I know that the psu that shipped with it, is not enough to handle the new video card, and hd I installed.

I would also like to get a larger psu than I may need now, because I plan on upgrading my cpu to a 1.8g palamino.

Also, will low power cause my monitor to make a very audible whining noise? like a high pitched sine???

Thanks, Red.

How easy is it to install a new PSU?

Thanks again.

I'd say based on what you have, and what you plan on doing you should be looking at about 400w.

I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 180w PSU HP included. If it's a MicroATX motherboard with all the components integrated, then that's all it needed to run.
But HP wouldn't assume you'd want to upgrade it...that's beyond them. LOL

ATi recommend systems running the Radeon 9700 to have AT LEAST a 300w PSU.

Be careful, coz your HP my be a proprietary based system, in that you will have to get custom motherboard components from HP (PSUs included). Big money. :o(
Look into that.

If not, then choose your new PSU wisely.

Hope this helps.

Ah.. Great, thank you.

I have looked (on HP's website) and I can't find any info about the PSU being proprietary or OEM or whatever. Is there a way I can tell by checking out the connecters or whatever if it is a standard type or not? I am asking because I had made plans to drive out to a Fry's to pick one up today...

I am sure it is an ATX type PSU..it looks very similar.

Thanks again, Red.

Ring up HP and ask them about the power supply.

I've got an old P233 HP Pavillion sitting open on my floor right now. Its a desktop model and the power supply is definately proprietary. No way could you swap it with a standard ATX power supply. It's a different shape, long and narrow.

If the power supply is standard, on a normal case, swapping it out is like changing a hard drive. Unplug it, unscrew it and replace it.
On an HP they may have welded it to the case (just kidding, they probably would only rivit it to the case), or the screw holes may be in different places.

Regards,
Spamtrap

Spamtrap is spot on...again. LOL (this guy is good!).

The shape of the PSU is a definate tell tale sign of what you can replace it with.

Anotherway to tell is by the positioning of the screws on the rear (which holds it to the case). Different manufacturers have the screw holes in different places.

But, yeah, note the PSU serial number and spare part number (if there is one) and call HP.

Right on, thanks for all the info.

Red

enermax...without hesitation !