Is my PSU adequate?

[bwwhite2000]

I've been having some startup and shutdown problems--random freezes at both ends. My setup is in my sig. I've been doing some reading at the MSI forum site and am beginning to think I didn't get a big enough PSU.

My PSU shows these numbers:
Source amps
+3.3V 30
+5V 30
+12V1 15
+12V2 15
-12V 0.3
+5VSB 2
It is the Thermaltake Purepower ATX 12V 2.0 460W.

My mobo says it needs at least 18A on the 4pin 12V power connector. It looks like my PSU won't do the trick. When I researched doing my build, I didn't understand the amp needs and so got blindsided by this. I've also read on this site that Thermaltake is a PSU source to avoid.

If what I have is not adequate for my current system, does adapter cabling exist to use it in an older rig with a microATX board? I.e., a 24 to 20 pin adapter? It has much lower grade parts.

Does there exist a fanless PSU that would be adequate for my system?

Thanks for a rapid response!

Bruce

[blue60007]

I think the power supply is plenty powerful enough. It might just be the power supply isn't stable (some Thermaltake power supplies weren't the greatest). You've got plenty of power, 30 amps on the 12V rail, more than 18. The PSU has dual rails, so you have to combine the numbers.

Most 24 pin power supplies have a detachable 4 pin connector making it backwards compatible with 20 pin systems. Does it have a detachable 4 pin connector on the main motherboard connector?

I would avoid fanless power supplies...those might cause even more problems.

Actually if you are just getting freezes at startup and shutdown only, the problem probably lies elsewhere. Can you play games and other intensive stuff OK?

[Cricket]

Did these startup and shutdown problems exist ever since you built this computer or did they start at a later date?

At what point during the bootup and shutdown process do the problems occur?

What kind of background programs are you running? Are you using any Norton products? Provide a list of all the programs that load up with Windows (anti-virus, software firewall, trojan and spyware active scanners, etc...).

I don't think the problem is the power supply...you'd have freezes, lockup or reboots doing anything with the computer, not just during the startup or shutdown phases. The problem seems more software related.

Cricket

[bwwhite2000]

I have a thread on the freeze-ups here so I won't go don't want to get into that thread here. If you have suggestions, please look at that thread.

I'm glad to hear two voices telling me my PSU seems adequate. I didn't think you could add up the rails on the PSU.

Bruce