Typically I'd upgrade it if I added a new Graphics card but I've recently acquired a 1TB internal HDD and was wondering if it would be necessary to do so if I swap it out for my measely 250GB HDD? My box still has it's stock power supply and it's doing good so far I'm just not sure if power consumption is the same despite the larger storage size.
Any ideas?
Comments
As far as hard drives go, you're fine, they eat up a laughable amount of power. The only time you hear hard drives power consumption being thrown around is in the server/cluster computer environment where heat and multiple RAID's become an issue. The 6-12 watts a typical HDD eats up at most is hardly worth mentioning. The video card on the other hand can be a problem if your power supply is low. Fucking 150 watt idling bastards these days. Seriously, fuck performance, lower the heat and power on those bitches, they did it wth CPU's. I'm starting to think Tim the Toolman Tayler runs the GPU market these days.
If you have enough cash and want to upgrade your PC from time to time, investing in a good PSU [500W+] would be a good idea. DO NOT RISK your system.
A powerful PSU can handle overclocks and you can add different components and GPU's without worrying about stuff. I am using Antec TRUEPOWER TRIO 650W and although I don't have a decent GPU yet [8500GT] I know can upgrade to a heavy duty graphic card without worrying about anything.
Also, I have a 1TB Seagate drive and it doesn't require that much power. But I did notice faster data transfer thanks to a better PSU.
All in all, a PSU is the foundation for any new or old built. It's one of the critical components that can ruin your system if you don't get it right.
Weight has nothing to do with the power of a switch mode power supply. I could have 2 supplies with mostly all the same circuity. One could have 18A mosfets and the other could have some 30A mosfets; both would weigh the same.
It depends on topology too, a buck converter weighing 3 pounds could maybe put out 300 watts, a ZVS half bridge of the same weight could put out 1-2kw.
I was referring to Chinese PSU. Compared to the better ones you can easily judge using weight. Also, this weight terminology is mostly used in the user computer parts trade. If the PSU is heavy it's good. Since they buy in bulk it's easier to find good ones using this method. But again this is just a subjective opinion. I am sure what you're saying is valid as well.