What are your desktop PC power requirements? From basic office computers to high end gaming rigs, learn how to choose your computer power supply wattage here.
How much power does my computer need? This question has asked since computer pioneers were tinkering with their 8086 PCs in the late 1970s.
A simple (but crude) solution is to splurge on a high wattage power supply. While a 1,500 watt monster is able to deliver enough power for almost all imaginable situations, it's going to burn a deep hole in your pockets.
A much better method is to determine your computer's maximum power consumption and match it with the correct PC power supply wattage. To make sure that a power supply is able to deliver its rated wattage, it should have been tested to full load by Ecova (80 Plus Certified) or a credible review site.
By popular request, we shall also recommend the best and most suitable power supplies for each computer type.
A high wattage power supply doesn't consume more electricity than a low wattage unit. Whether you have a 500 or 1,000 Watt power supply, it's still going to draw the same amount of power from the wall.
Budget Computer
Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), listening to music, viewing images, watching videos.
Components
Lowest End CPU (Intel Celeron) --- 37 W
Low End Motherboard --- 25 W
RAM Module x 1 --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
DVD-RW Drive --- 27 W
Case Fan x 1 --- 6 W
Budget Computer Power Requirements
117 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply under $50
How much power does my computer need? This question has asked since computer pioneers were tinkering with their 8086 PCs in the late 1970s.
A simple (but crude) solution is to splurge on a high wattage power supply. While a 1,500 watt monster is able to deliver enough power for almost all imaginable situations, it's going to burn a deep hole in your pockets.
A much better method is to determine your computer's maximum power consumption and match it with the correct PC power supply wattage. To make sure that a power supply is able to deliver its rated wattage, it should have been tested to full load by Ecova (80 Plus Certified) or a credible review site.
By popular request, we shall also recommend the best and most suitable power supplies for each computer type.
A high wattage power supply doesn't consume more electricity than a low wattage unit. Whether you have a 500 or 1,000 Watt power supply, it's still going to draw the same amount of power from the wall.
Budget Computer
Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), listening to music, viewing images, watching videos.
Components
Lowest End CPU (Intel Celeron) --- 37 W
Low End Motherboard --- 25 W
RAM Module x 1 --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
DVD-RW Drive --- 27 W
Case Fan x 1 --- 6 W
Budget Computer Power Requirements
117 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply under $50
Mid Range Computer
Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos, light gaming, light graphics editing
Components
Mid End CPU (Intel Core i5) --- 95 W
Mid End Motherboard --- 40 W
RAM Modules x 2 --- 6 W
Low End Graphics Card (Under $125) --- 86 W
Solid State Drive --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
DVD-RW Drive --- 27 W
Case Fans x 2 --- 12 W
Mid Range Computer Power Requirements
278 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply under $100
Purpose: web surfing, email, office applications, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos, light gaming, light graphics editing
Components
Mid End CPU (Intel Core i5) --- 95 W
Mid End Motherboard --- 40 W
RAM Modules x 2 --- 6 W
Low End Graphics Card (Under $125) --- 86 W
Solid State Drive --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
DVD-RW Drive --- 27 W
Case Fans x 2 --- 12 W
Mid Range Computer Power Requirements
278 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply under $100
Gaming Computer
Purpose: heavy gaming, heavy graphics editing, overclocking, moderate virtualization, web surfing, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos
Components
High End CPU (Intel Core i7) --- 95 W
Aftermarket CPU Heatsink Fan --- 12 W
High End Motherboard --- 80 W
RAM Modules x 2 --- 6 W
High End Graphics Card ($251 to $400) --- 258 W
Dedicated Sound Card --- 15 W
Solid State Drive --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
Blu ray Drive --- 30 W
Case Fans x 4 --- 24 W
Gaming PC Power Requirements
532 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply for Gaming
Home Theater PC
Purpose: watching high resolution videos, streaming online videos, viewing photos, listening to music, playing optical discs (CDs, VCDs, DVDs, Blu ray discs)
Components
Low End CPU (Intel Core i3) --- 73 W
Mid End Motherboard --- 40 W
RAM Module x 1 --- 3 W
Dedicated Sound Card --- 15 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
Blu ray Drive --- 30 W
Case Fans x 2 --- 12 W
Home Theater PC Power Requirements
182 Watts
Purpose: heavy gaming, heavy graphics editing, overclocking, moderate virtualization, web surfing, listening to music, viewing images, watching high resolution videos
Components
High End CPU (Intel Core i7) --- 95 W
Aftermarket CPU Heatsink Fan --- 12 W
High End Motherboard --- 80 W
RAM Modules x 2 --- 6 W
High End Graphics Card ($251 to $400) --- 258 W
Dedicated Sound Card --- 15 W
Solid State Drive --- 3 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
Blu ray Drive --- 30 W
Case Fans x 4 --- 24 W
Gaming PC Power Requirements
532 Watts
SEE ALSO: Best Power Supply for Gaming
Home Theater PC
Purpose: watching high resolution videos, streaming online videos, viewing photos, listening to music, playing optical discs (CDs, VCDs, DVDs, Blu ray discs)
Components
Low End CPU (Intel Core i3) --- 73 W
Mid End Motherboard --- 40 W
RAM Module x 1 --- 3 W
Dedicated Sound Card --- 15 W
3.5" Hard Disk Drive --- 9 W
Blu ray Drive --- 30 W
Case Fans x 2 --- 12 W
Home Theater PC Power Requirements
182 Watts
0 comments:
Post a Comment