Topic: Need computer geek help

[fmctm1sw]

I used to be really up on things like this.  I stumbled across a huge Antec computer case the other day.   I got home figuring I'd just bolt my ATX power supply right into it but my power supply is too narrow.  The case itself doesn't seem any wider than my other ones.  Do I need some sort of wider power supply? 

[kslrr]

It looks like the Antec case is designed for larger. higher capacity power supplies (350+ watts) like those that are used in high end gaming systems and CAD platforms.  So, the answer to your question would be yes.

[eldar]

Thats the problem with some cases. They can take goofy sizes. Where I work, we get dell and used to get gateway. All but 1 model takes some goofy supply. Connectors are all the same, as in atx style but some are long and narrow, others are very compact.
It may be possible that the supply you have is a smaller one and the case takes a "standard" size.

[DavePhipps]

check the dimensions and look on newegg.com for a matching Power supply.

[rachet]

It's not how big it is that matters... but how you use it! 

seriously, are you trying to power the Antec motherboard?  You'll want to match that mother board to a proper power supply.  It's ok to go larger, but under-powering is potentially a problem.  Doesn't mean your power supply is to small, but typically a larger power block provides higher power.

I guess what I'm saying is, a small power supply should light up the mother board, but running accessories (like CD/DVD drives, Harddrives) may not be possible.

Rachet~

[DavePhipps]

A 250 watt PS unit will power a PC with a modern chip, single HD, AGP,and 2 optical drives. I'm running a 350 watt and am powering multiple usb devices connected to my PC with no problems.
250- 450 watt PSU's all come in different dimensions. You can find a 450 watt that is physically smaller than a 250.
They are just built to case spec like slimline(microATX), midtower, fulltower,and desktop.
To make things easy get a 450 watt that has the correct dimensions.
Sorry, I  had to  post better advice. My earlier info was too sparse

 

[eldar]

Well powering a pc depends on your components. A cd-rom, floppy fans and such are all low power items. They take nothing to run. It is your cpu and primarily the vid card(s) that require the juice.

[bradweingartner]

There are only really a couple standard ATX power supply form-factors and really only two that you see on the majority of computers.

ATX and microATX. You'd know the difference between the two as one is roughly half the size, I'll let you guess which one that is 

But there are a bunch of odd-ball propriety designs to watch out for. But it would surprise me that an off-the-shelf Antec case would require one. So either your existing power supply is the odd-ball, or the case is a server class case designed for a redundant supply.

Other than servers, there is no difference in physical size between a 100watt ATX supply and a 500watt ATC super power supply.

[rugger81]

PSU/motherboard matching aside, the case just holds the parts.  As long as it physically fits in there, can get at least 1 screw in it, it doesn't vibrate when on, and the psu wires are long enough to reach where they need to, then that psu will work just fine with the case.

[DarkRider]

Basicly from what i gathered of the situation..hes probably got a mini tower case PS and trying to put it in a standard size case. Ironicly speaking of power supply units im going to have to replace mine soon since it is not coping to well with the demand i place on the comp...and its a 300 watt unit..Ocz power supply here i come lol..

[martino1972]

hehe,am i the only one with a 550 watt supply??? but i am running a heavely overclocked quad core though,with a beast of a graphics card for games like "dirt" and moto gp...
b.t.w. my 550 watt fits nicely in a standard size case.....