picking a power supply

can you ever get too big a psu?
or should you try and match ot your components?

 

its best to match your components...don't need 500 if your hardware only needs 400. here is a psu calculator: http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

 

Well.. if you match it too closley you wont have any power left in case you upgrade. If you plan to upgrade in the future, I would have at least 100W spare. That way if you upgrade somthing and it requires 40W more... then you still have 60W of "headroom", which means the PSU wouldnt be at all taxed or working at it limits, which makes for a longer life for the PSU (and less likley its going to quit working on you any time soon).

The calculator is extremly useful if you want to upgrade your current setup, and want to see if your PSU will be able to handle it, and also if you have another system having hardware problems to see if the PSU is being overtaxed. And the other advantage of getting a fair bit of headroom is that you won't have to buy a new PSU with your next set of upgrades.

 

i guess my question is, i wont see any drawbacks if my psu is too big for system even if i plan on adding components later?

 

Nope, none at all

 

Also, watch the amp's on the 12v rail.. The newer PCI express spec is going to require 30A on the 12v rail instead of 24A. Not all high wattage PSU's will have this. So if you're thinking about upgrading to the new format when it comes out, this will be something to consider now or atleast have the understanding that you will have to purchase a new PSU for compatibility for the new specs.

 

very true...thanks for adding.

another very good point.

 

yeah there are a few standards im waitin on b/f i build a new system.

 

Size counts, but quality is most important.
best -> http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/PCPC_510_Deluxe_1.html

better -> Antec or Enermax
http://www.pccasegear.com/prod835.htm
http://www.ipkonfig.com/Reviews/PSUs/Enermax-EG651P/

Cheap -> Never heard of them, but power supplies are all the same anyway
http://www.shopgenie.co.uk/UK_listing/gen/J000020706.html

More reading if you want
http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/articles/guides/Power_Supply_Guide_1.html

I never want to worry about my power supply so I paid the $$ to get the best and every time I check voltages it is exactly right. I overclock like mad and generally abuse the hell out of my equipment, but with rock solid power and plenty of cooling it keeps coming back for more. You cannot over power your system nor give it too clean a supply.