Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive?

RZetlin · August 7th, 2003

I have a two hard drives and a CD-RW drive connected to my generic 300 watt power supply.

I want to add another hard drive in the future.

Will my power supply support the 3 hard drives and CD-RW drive?

N1ghtw0lf · August 7th, 2003

If it has enough wires i'de think so...I have A DVD Rom, CD-RW Drive, and 2 Hard Drives Hooked up to my 350...i wouldn't expect you'd have a problem...but might want a seocnd opinion

**n_w95482** · August 7th, 2003

I would say that it might be able to (ok probably) but it would be pushing it pretty close to the limit. If it starts acting up on you then go with a more powerful power supply. 350-400w should work just fine if that 300w doesn't. If you get random crashes/reboots then you probably don't have enough power. Use a program such as motherboard monitor 5 to monitor the voltages. I'm not sure about this but can high cpu/system temps also be caused by a bad power supply or something like that?

August 7th, 2003

I've done 2 HDS and 2 Cd-roms on an Athlon XP 1600+ and a Geforce 4 Ti 4200.

you'll be cutting it close you might be ok tho

**Zephon** · August 7th, 2003

I think it depends on the quality of the PSU. Here in Brazil we have some "generic" PSUs that are labeled 450W and can barely get to 250W (that's true, lots of tests showed that). If you have a good PSU from a known manufacturer this won't happen.

**fivefeet8** · August 7th, 2003

Get an Antec True Power 330w/400w/430w/550w. These are quality PSU's and the 430w one cost about $60US.

I myself am currently using the Antec TP 550w. Running a Voodoo 5 5500 pci, GfX5900u, 2 CDrw drives, 1 DVD 10x, 1 DVDrw, 4 Case Fans, 1 Cpu fan(coolmaster Aero7+), 1 chipset fan, 2 fans on the Psu itself(80mm and 120mm), and 2 7200rpm HDs running off the Serial ATA controllers using the Serial-to-Ide serial converters which also requires it's own power.

My voltages all stay well within spec. Winbond Hardware monitor works well.

Andrew Hruska · August 7th, 2003

i have a 400w power supply and i have a CD-RW Drive, DVD, 2 hard drives, LOTS of fans ( see the "mission glitch" thread ), every port filled, AND i have power still to connect a Voodoo 5 5500

It will work if it is a true blue 300w power supply. Otherwise, get one from PC Power and Cooling or Antec. The best of the Best.

Galway no Sora · August 7th, 2003

It can handle the additional HDD, I believe, as long as your PSU is a good one. I got mine 300W with 2 HDD, 1 CD ROM, 1 CD RW, 1 DVD ROM, 1 floppy drive, XP1600 proc, CPU HSF, chipset fan, front and back case fans and the legendary GF3Ti500 that also require additional power

.

*EDIT* if someone wonder why I can get those 5 data cable / connection [2HDD, 1CD ROM, 1CD RW, 1DVD ROM] : I use PCI 133 RAID card

N1ghtw0lf · August 7th, 2003

Or you could just buy a cheap 200w and use 2 power supplies and ghetto rig it

Galway no Sora · August 7th, 2003

2 ? And I don't think it will be efficient [both in money and place]. Unless you meant redundant PSU

N1ghtw0lf · August 7th, 2003

yea...i meant 2

...well it would be cheaper to buy a crappy one instead of a whole new great one...and yea...might be tricky to find a place for it...but it was just a suggestion

andré · August 8th, 2003

lol, that sounds like an interesting idea

felinusz · August 8th, 2003

Ghetto rigging is a great idea - cost effective too, but there are some tricky considerations to take into account. You need to do some modding. I know that some people do that (for a water cooling rig), but don't know mytsewlf.

I woiuld just buy a new PSU if I were you.

N1ghtw0lf · August 8th, 2003

What Are You Talking about...get one with a few fans...and duct tape it to the top of your case...ghetto rigging yes? but then the ole saying....If you can't Duct it, **** it!

August 7th, 2003	#1 (permalink)
RZetlin General of Tangerines Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Defending the Sea Posts: 3,883	Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? I have a two hard drives and a CD-RW drive connected to my generic 300 watt power supply. I want to add another hard drive in the future. Will my power supply support the 3 hard drives and CD-RW drive? __________________ AMD Athlon 64 3700+ \| 2 GB RAM \| XFX Nvidia 6800 GS 256 MB XXX Edition \| Win XP Pro SP2

August 7th, 2003	#2 (permalink)
N1ghtw0lf An American Paradox Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Call Me Butter Cuz' I'm On A Roll! Posts: 6,822	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? If it has enough wires i'de think so...I have A DVD Rom, CD-RW Drive, and 2 Hard Drives Hooked up to my 350...i wouldn't expect you'd have a problem...but might want a seocnd opinion __________________

August 7th, 2003	#3 (permalink)
n_w95482 Administrator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: California Posts: 4,684	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? I would say that it might be able to (ok probably) but it would be pushing it pretty close to the limit. If it starts acting up on you then go with a more powerful power supply. 350-400w should work just fine if that 300w doesn't. If you get random crashes/reboots then you probably don't have enough power. Use a program such as motherboard monitor 5 to monitor the voltages. I'm not sure about this but can high cpu/system temps also be caused by a bad power supply or something like that?

August 7th, 2003	#4 (permalink)
ChrisRay Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? I've done 2 HDS and 2 Cd-roms on an Athlon XP 1600+ and a Geforce 4 Ti 4200. you'll be cutting it close you might be ok tho

August 7th, 2003	#5 (permalink)
Zephon Key To The Universe Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Stratosphere Posts: 2,706	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? I think it depends on the quality of the PSU. Here in Brazil we have some "generic" PSUs that are labeled 450W and can barely get to 250W (that's true, lots of tests showed that). If you have a good PSU from a known manufacturer this won't happen. __________________ But there is someone who remembers you Someone waiting for a sign that leads the way to you There is someone who will die for you Keep that in mind when the hope fails

August 7th, 2003	#6 (permalink)
fivefeet8 &-)---\|--< Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Smallville Posts: 7,577	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? Get an Antec True Power 330w/400w/430w/550w. These are quality PSU's and the 430w one cost about $60US. I myself am currently using the Antec TP 550w. Running a Voodoo 5 5500 pci, GfX5900u, 2 CDrw drives, 1 DVD 10x, 1 DVDrw, 4 Case Fans, 1 Cpu fan(coolmaster Aero7+), 1 chipset fan, 2 fans on the Psu itself(80mm and 120mm), and 2 7200rpm HDs running off the Serial ATA controllers using the Serial-to-Ide serial converters which also requires it's own power. My voltages all stay well within spec. Winbond Hardware monitor works well. __________________ Play emulated games online Main Rig\|\|Intel Q6600@3.2 ghertz\|4x1gb DDR2 1066\|Asrock 1600sli 110db LGA 775\|EVGA 8800gtx@620/1450/975\|2x Seagate 160gb SATA150 Raid0\|250 gb Samsung SATA2 HD\|Seagate 7000.10 500gb HD\|NEC 3520 4x/8x DVD+R/RW DL burner\|Antec TP 650 watt\|40" Sony Bravia 1080p\|20.1" 5ms LCD 1680x1050 Native\|Logitec 5.1 Speaker System w/15" Sub\|Dual Boot Winows XP Pro/Vista 64bit\|\| 2nd Rig\|\|Athlon64 x2 3800+\|2x1 gig PC3200\|BFG Geforce 6800 Ultra OC @450/1250 agp\|60 gig Maxtor IDE HD 7200 RPM\|40 gig Maxtor IDE HD\|Asrock Dual SATA2\|Silver Aluminum ATX\|17" LCD\|\| 3rd Rig\|\|Athlon Xp 2800+\|1.5 gig PC2700\|BFG GeforceFx 5900 Ultra OC agp\|100 gig Maxtor SATA HD\|NF7-s rev2.0\|Nvidia Soundstorm MCP\|19" CRT\|\| Last edited by fivefeet8; August 7th, 2003 at 22:30.

August 7th, 2003	#7 (permalink)
Andrew Hruska Banned Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: somewhere Posts: 1,121	i have a 400w power supply and i have a CD-RW Drive, DVD, 2 hard drives, LOTS of fans ( see the "mission glitch" thread ), every port filled, AND i have power still to connect a Voodoo 5 5500 It will work if it is a true blue 300w power supply. Otherwise, get one from PC Power and Cooling or Antec. The best of the Best.

August 7th, 2003	#8 (permalink)
Galway no Sora ~¤ PanZeR ¤~ idRO Thor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Valhalla, in Odin's throne Posts: 3,145	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? It can handle the additional HDD, I believe, as long as your PSU is a good one. I got mine 300W with 2 HDD, 1 CD ROM, 1 CD RW, 1 DVD ROM, 1 floppy drive, XP1600 proc, CPU HSF, chipset fan, front and back case fans and the legendary GF3Ti500 that also require additional power . EDIT if someone wonder why I can get those 5 data cable / connection [2HDD, 1CD ROM, 1CD RW, 1DVD ROM] : I use PCI 133 RAID card __________________ Core 2 Duo 1.6 GHz «» 2048MB DDR2 RAM «» 256MB onboard Graphic Onboard Realtek High Definition Soundcard «» 160 + 40 GB SATA HDD Pioneer DVD±RW «» 15.4" Widescreen LCD «» Windows Vista Ultimate Sucks ha? Yeah, that's a laptop for sure. Last edited by Galway no Sora; August 7th, 2003 at 23:32.

August 7th, 2003	#9 (permalink)
N1ghtw0lf An American Paradox Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Call Me Butter Cuz' I'm On A Roll! Posts: 6,822	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? Or you could just buy a cheap 200w and use 2 power supplies and ghetto rig it __________________

August 7th, 2003	#10 (permalink)
Galway no Sora ~¤ PanZeR ¤~ idRO Thor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Valhalla, in Odin's throne Posts: 3,145	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? 2 ? And I don't think it will be efficient [both in money and place]. Unless you meant redundant PSU __________________ Core 2 Duo 1.6 GHz «» 2048MB DDR2 RAM «» 256MB onboard Graphic Onboard Realtek High Definition Soundcard «» 160 + 40 GB SATA HDD Pioneer DVD±RW «» 15.4" Widescreen LCD «» Windows Vista Ultimate Sucks ha? Yeah, that's a laptop for sure.

August 7th, 2003	#11 (permalink)
N1ghtw0lf An American Paradox Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Call Me Butter Cuz' I'm On A Roll! Posts: 6,822	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? yea...i meant 2 ...well it would be cheaper to buy a crappy one instead of a whole new great one...and yea...might be tricky to find a place for it...but it was just a suggestion __________________

August 8th, 2003	#12 (permalink)
andré sakabatou_x Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: TEXAS (everything's bigger) Posts: 1,256	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? lol, that sounds like an interesting idea __________________ andré:.thrasher10:.sakabatou_x:. emulator:epsxe:.os:xp_pro:.processor:amd_athlonxp_3000+:.mobo:epox_8rda3+:. gfx_card:radeon9800pro_256mb_ddr:.ram:1.5gb_ddr:.pad:super_dual_box_2p_usb_adapter:.

August 8th, 2003	#13 (permalink)
felinusz overclocking magus Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,369	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? Ghetto rigging is a great idea - cost effective too, but there are some tricky considerations to take into account. You need to do some modding. I know that some people do that (for a water cooling rig), but don't know mytsewlf. I woiuld just buy a new PSU if I were you.

August 8th, 2003	#14 (permalink)
N1ghtw0lf An American Paradox Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Call Me Butter Cuz' I'm On A Roll! Posts: 6,822	Re: Can a 300 Watt PS Support 3 HDs and CD-RW drive? What Are You Talking about...get one with a few fans...and duct tape it to the top of your case...ghetto rigging yes? but then the ole saying....If you can't Duct it, **** it! __________________

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