PCA Forums

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/maxpc/index_cases.htm

The webpage above talks about how much power case components require and how to determine a proper psu size. The numbers give a a wide range and don't really list everything. Here's what I have in my case. Can anyone figure this out for me?

Athlon 2100+ cpu
AlphaPal 8045 HSF w/ modded TT SmartFan 2
ABIT KD7 Mobo
TDX 40X CDRW
Lite-On 16X DVD
Floppy Drive
RheoBus
Vantec Temperature Controller
60GB hdd 7200RPM
hdd cooler w/2 small fans
512 PC 3200 RAM
4 12" cold cathodes using 2 inverters
1 4" cold cathode
GeForce 3 Ti200 Vid Card
Turtle Beach 64MB sound card
56K Moden
Built-in USB 2
5 Case Fans (all with LEDs)

I give up! How can I possibly figure this out?

a 500w psu

that's alot of stuff in there...super high wattage is less a problem than getting enough power connectors to hook them all up. i bet a 450W or higher is more than enough. you might need splitters for the molex connectors, etc to hook up all those fans.

I've been using an Antec true power 430. Think I can get away with it? As for molex connectors, Most of the fans are connected with 3-pin to 3-pin extensions to the fanbus where they PLUG IN (No wire stripping).

that PSU should be more than enough to power all of that but can i ask WHY do you need 4 12" cathodes... i have one and it is blinding...

I wish I had a good answer. What I did was get a particularly good price on the 12" ones so I ordered extra for my next case. I liked them so much, and a pair runs on a single inverter, I just plugged them in to see what they looked like. They lit up my room so I just had to keep them. I can use the keyboard in a darkened room and I don't touch type. As for the 4" it was already in the case and lights up my modded hsf that I just couldn't resist. OK, I know it's overkill!

By the way, how did you make the pics on your signature? They look great.