Power supply suggestions needed

[cadlewv]

Hello. I would like suggestions on what brand of PSU, including minimum wattage and amps for my current setup. Of course, I'd like to spend the least amount of money, yet get what I need. Any help would be appreciated.

Btw, the only issue I'm having at this point, is that sometimes it takes hitting the power button a couple of times to get it to power up my PC. Would probably have more problems if it wasn't a Sparkle.

Also, since I'm here, could you suggest a couple of good yet inexpensive sticks of ram (1GB each) and where I could get them?

Thanks.

[BeepBeep2]

I dont think it is the power supply...but more like the button.

How about this? RAM? :http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820609058

I think DDR is now a waste of money to buy...DDR2-800...is much cheaper and almost twice as fast or more

[cadlewv]

No, I'm pretty sure it's the low wattage of the PSU. And my mobo doesn't support DDR2.

[BeepBeep2]

I know your board doesnt support ddr2> please ACTUALLY look at the link>

[cadlewv]

I saw the link. I guess my point is that it certainly wouldn't be cheaper for me to buy DDR2 since it would require me to buy a new setup (mobo, cpu).

[BeepBeep2]

I know that....lol....i was just saying/

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by cadlewv Hello. I would like suggestions on what brand of PSU, including minimum wattage and amps for my current setup. Of course, I'd like to spend the least amount of money, yet get what I need. Any help would be appreciated.

Are you sure the problem is the power supply?

Originally Posted by cadlewv Btw, the only issue I'm having at this point, is that sometimes it takes hitting the power button a couple of times to get it to power up my PC.

When you hit the power button does the system start to power up and then shut down or does hitting the power button do nothing?

You can eliminate the power button switch as a cause of the problem by switching the connector on the motherboard with the connector for the reset button and use the reset button as the power button. If the computer boots up everytime, the power button switch is going bad.

If your computer doesn't have a reset button you can power up the computer by taking the power button connector off the front panel header and then use a small screwdriver to jumper the PWR ON pins momentarily. If the computer starts up everytime then you know you have to replace the power button switch.

This problem could also be caused by the motherboard. You might want to check to see if it has leaking or bulging capacitors.

Originally Posted by cadlewv Also, since I'm here, could you suggest a couple of good yet inexpensive sticks of ram (1GB each) and where I could get them?

Before you buy 1GB sticks of RAM you better be sure your motherboard will support 1GB sticks...some don't.

1GB sticks of RAM from Newegg.com.

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I think DDR is now a waste of money to buy...DDR2-800...is much cheaper and almost twice as fast or more

You can't use DDR2 RAM in a motherboard that only supports DDR RAM. DDR2 RAM has 240 pins and DDR RAM has 184 pins...memory sockets are totally different for both types of RAM.

Cricket

[BeepBeep2]

I came up to DDR2-800 from DDR-266.....oh boy did i see the diff....lol...

My old sys:
Athlon 1400+ @ 1.33
512MB DDR-266
ATi Rage Fury Pro 32MB
13.5" CRT....lol

that was cutting edge in 98' lol...

[BeepBeep2]

Oh....Cricket: im not dumb

Cricket:
"You can't use DDR2 RAM in a motherboard that only supports DDR RAM. DDR2 RAM has 240 pins and DDR RAM has 184 pins...memory sockets are totally different for both types of RAM."

Im not dumb> did you see my next post?

Look:

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I know your board doesnt support ddr2> please ACTUALLY look at the link>

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I came up to DDR2-800 from DDR-266.....oh boy did i see the diff....lol... My old sys: Athlon 1400+ @ 1.33 512MB DDR-266 ATi Rage Fury Pro 32MB 13.5" CRT....lol that was cutting edge in 98' lol...

Why don't you post the specs of your new computer? Just going from DDR-266 to DDR2-800 doesn't mean anything without seeing the specs for both computers.

Cricket

[BeepBeep2]

I also already told him it might have been th button.

EDIT: AND BY the way! My new rig is in my sig!

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I also already told him it might have been th button.

But I gave him troubleshooting steps to help him determine if the power button is the cause of the problems or not.

Cricket

[BeepBeep2]

You only read the beginning of my posts dont you..? lol....hmm....lol

.....

[BeepBeep2]

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 Oh....Cricket: im not dumb Cricket: "You can't use DDR2 RAM in a motherboard that only supports DDR RAM. DDR2 RAM has 240 pins and DDR RAM has 184 pins...memory sockets are totally different for both types of RAM." Im not dumb> did you see my next post? Look: Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I know your board doesnt support ddr2> please ACTUALLY look at the link>

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by BeepBeep2 I also already told him it might have been th button. EDIT: AND BY the way! My new rig is in my sig! My old sys: Athlon 1400+ @ 1.33 512MB DDR-266 ATi Rage Fury Pro 32MB 13.5" CRT AMD Athlon X2 5600+ XFX Nforce 590 SLi 2 gb Super Talent DDR2-800 @ 4-4-3-8 and 804 Mhz Leadtek 8800 GTS 320 Extreme Lite-on 20X IDEw/Lightscribe Seagate 250GB 7200.10 Windows Vista Home Premium

Well, that's why you saw a big difference in performance...you now have much faster computer, it's not just the RAM.

Cricket

[BeepBeep2]

Well....duh! I alredy know that! Please read my full posts

[cadlewv]

When I hit the power button, sometimes, it lights the LEDs, you can hear it introduce power to the system, but it only lasts a fraction of a second. Then when I hit again it powers it on fully. But at no time does it do nothing.

[BeepBeep2]

I think the problem might be your mobo....

[cadlewv]

Why? Could you be more specific in your replies, with reasons, ways to check your suggestions, etc.?

[BeepBeep2]

ughh................try what cricket said....look for leaked or blown capatators...and to completely make sure the prob isnt the button, try to take a flathead screwdriver to jump the two pins on the mobo to jumpstart the machine

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by cadlewv When I hit the power button, sometimes, it lights the LEDs, you can hear it introduce power to the system, but it only lasts a fraction of a second. Then when I hit again it powers it on fully. But at no time does it do nothing.

This kind of problem will take a little time to troubleshoot because the cause of the problem could be the motherboard, power supply, power connections, faulty or failing devices, etc...

My suggestion is you start with the out-of-case-troubleshooter. You remove the motherboard from the case and connect only the things necessary to get POST. If the system is able to start up each time without problems you know the core components are good and the problem may lie with one of the components that are not connected to the system. You then connect one thing at a time until the problem returns and then you've found the possible cause.

Let us know what happens.

Cricket

[glc]

We won't be distracted by off the wall posts in this thread any more - so it's back to business.

A 300 watt Sparkle is plenty to power that system as long as it's healthy. The quickest way to rule out power supply issues is use a known good test PSU. Yes, a motherboard CAN cause these kinds of issues if the voltage regulating circuits have problems.

Guaranteed compatible ram:

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartsp...42C28AA5CA7304

Cheaper, and *should* be compatible:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145505

There are other brands of DDR400 ram that are cheaper and *should* work.

[cadlewv]

Ahh. The great glc! I figured it'd only be a matter of time.

Thanks for your suggestions... You as well Cricket.

As soon as I find the time to break down my system and do the 'out-of-the-case' tests, I'll post back with more information.