Power Supply Unit- Important?

Garet_Jax

Can't believe I've gone for 2.5 months without free tech support from you guys! <!--emo&:p--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Anyway, my current set-up is as follows:

Athlon 1.8xp+
1GB RAM
128Mb Radeon 9800pro
8yr old 165w PSU

As you can tell, it's an ancient setup- I don't expect to be able to play q4 on it, but I'm a bit disappointed by the horrid frame-rate I can get on NS.

In the early game, especially when there are no entites in site, I get a steady 99fps. However, when I take part in a large-scale fight (siegeing a hive, blinking towards a full marine start) my frame-rate drops to a noticeable level: say around the 25fps range.

I know my system isn't great, but surely it should be able to handle the HL1 (even a heavily modified HL1) engine? I know ATI recommends a 350w PSU for my graphics card, and I obviously don't meet that; however my system is stable- I've never had any sudden BSoD's.

So my question is: would a more powerful PSU help? Or is it something else?

Cheers!

(Oh- if it matters, I think its a PSU designed for an ATX case- I know its the "popular" type. Still using the original case and PSU! (8yrs))

Marik_Steele

I remember reading a random typical geeky hardware review site doing tests to see whether a high-wattage PSU was really necessary. Their findings were that despite video card manufacturers' and CPU makers' claims that you *need* multiple hundred watt power supplies, the average wattage is far lower than, say, 300 watts.

However, they took great pains to say two things:
#1 is that their methods of testing and testing equipment didn't allow them to test power spikes. Though lasting only seconds or shorter, power spikes that demand more wattage out of your PSU than it can put out are Not A Good Thing.

#2 is that power supplies that are old & worn or which do not come from a reputable source are likely to have a max wattage output FAR lower than the number on the sticker, and more importantly, less likely to have good, steady, "clean", *quality* output. You don't necessarily need to buy a >$100 brand name power supply, but going to a computer show and getting a nonamer just because it smells new is gambling with the lifespan of your more expensive hardware.


But now, back to something unrelated from your power supply: I've noticed that on my ATI 9800 pro, the framerate tends to go down the tubes when AA has to be calculated for specific events. Namely the events that AA seems to have the most trouble with is being outdoors (dunno why) and when there's a lot of cloudlike sprites. Try turning AA down or seeing how things are when there's no lerk or grenade launchers involved in a big fight.

DOOManiac

I haven't read the article Marik references but it makes sense. I can tell you that when I had a cheap generic 300w power supply and a new video card (I can't remember which one) I did have a bit of trouble.

I used to be one of those guys who went "Why would you get an overpriced power supply? The generic ones are just as good..." but then after having a 4th power supply go out I decided I'd try one of those Enermax PSUs, and hot damn, there is a noticible difference. I can't really put it into words, and who knows maybe its all psychological, but the whole thing just feels a lot.. erm... better. I'd recommend shelling out the cash for a name brand PSU.

Also the fan on this Enermax is loads quieter than on any PSU I've ever had. Makes the whole PC noticibly quieter.


As far as voltage goes, I don't know what to tell you other than most of the high quality PSUs are rather high voltage only to begin with, and the excessively higher voltage supporting ones are only a tad bit more expensive. I got a 420w PSU because it was only like $15 more than the 350.