Any utility to measure current draw of system?

folks I've been looking for this and cannot find - though I find a lotta people wanting: a power-monitor type utility that can tell me how close to the edge my draw is so I can figure out what I can add????
A year or so ago, I had a power-management utility for my notebook [since sold] that would help to manage the power settings so as to max battery life, and it would seem that if you can accomplish all that, you could accomplish a measure of approximate peak wattage being demanded. I'm really surprised such a thing is not common.

And, related thereto, in this little box the P/S form factor is proprietary and there is no 'upgrade' to the stock 240w. Anyone know of an external power supply that basically has longish cables that I could use? I guess it would be easy enough to splice one up....

thx
z

 

what kind of pc is it? pc power and cooling makes some aftermarket small form factor psu's and they may make a better one for your rig.

 

hp DC7600. not the tiny one, the normal desktop-size. the p/s is at the rear, as you would expect, but is proprietary shape to fit into the 'click & unfold' kind of mechanical design. An external would be great,, in fact I had thought of using my external-drive-mount, which has its own p/s, to reach in and power the hard drive. that would probably provide 30w or so of headroom.....

 

try this out: http://extreme.outervision.com/PSUEngine Will a normal atx psu fit in your case? is it the mounting bracket that is the issue? you could probably improvise something.

 

no, this is a case made for easy access and compactness, so the P/S is fitted to the case, and is on hinges to swing up and out of the way - the HD being located underneath. whole mechanical is designed for airflow without the noise of biggish fans [it has two... well, three counting the Gforce card]

 

May wanna try something like this.
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/299
Worth a shot since HP had to make stuff difficult