power supply- how to determine watts

Question

I want to install a new video card but first need to determine how many watts my power supply is good for.

How can I check this out?

Answer 1

Hi,

Usually the wattage is written on the outside of the power supply so check the back

of the computer case. If not you will need to check inside the case. 

After checking determining the wattage of the power supply you will then need to check

the requirements of the motherboard and devices. Usually the video card is one of the

major power users.

How do I determine how big my power supply is?

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000800.htm

Other good sources of information are the device makers' sites and their forums.

eXtreme Power Supply Calculator

http://extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp

Power Supply Calculator

http://educations.newegg.com/tool/psucalc/index.html

Choosing the right power supply for your computer

http://en.kioskea.net/faq/588-choosing-the-right-power-supply-for-your-computer

How Do I Test the Power Supply in My Computer?

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/f/powersupplytest.htm

Hope this helps.

---

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!