Hey guys, Iv just got a quick question im hopping someone can answer. Iv got two computers which im messing about with, and the better of the two has a psu which makes a horrible high pitch sound, so Im wanting to switch it over with the other one. Just wondering if there's any dangers to the motherboard or anything by switching them. Im assuming there isnt, and it looks as they are similar voltages so I dont think there is be any power issues. Just want to be safe then sorry. :P
The voltages had better be the same, there are standards to make sure they are. The amperage and wattage are what you need to be looking at. If you're putting some old junker 20-pin power supply into a new machine that requires a 24-pin connection, it won't work. If you've got a PCI-e connector in your newer machine and your old one doesn't have one, your new machine won't work. There are a number of connectors you'll need to make sure both units have before just popping and swapping.
mostly, I just want to know if it will do damage to the computer if thier volts/amps or whatever a slightly different? If the computer just wont start with the psu i use then i'll switch it back. also, looks as though the one Im putitng into the computer has slighty less "A".. o_O an example, +3.3=14.0A, where the one thats already in it has, +3.3=20A.
mostly, I just want to know if it will do damage to the computer is thier volts/amps or whater a slightly different? If the computer just wont start with the psu i use then i switch it back.Kamuikankatsu
Odds of damage are low, but I wouldn't risk it unless I was sure the power supplies were reasonably similar, with all the same connectors. Whatever you do if you go ahead, don't force any connectors.
Yeah, im not going to Force any of the plugs into place and most of the connections seemt o be the same. the only real difference between them is the "A" at the end of the volts is a little less. I editedmyprevious post post with an expample.
The difference between 14a and 20a on the 3.3v rail is huge - your current unit supports 66w on the 3.3v rail, whereas your old one only supports 46a. That's nearly a third of a loss in power. What you should really look at is the +12v rail(s) though, that can make or break this whole thing. Newer machines are much more dependent on the +12v rail, while older ones were more reliant on the +5v.
So no point trying to swap them? and if so, is this high pitch sound its making a safe thing? Its kinda like that sound old CTR TVs would make.Kamuikankatsu
I'm guessing that your fan is having some problems - it's probably fine for right now, but I'd be looking for a new one in the meantime. Or a new fan, if you're comfortable doing that sort of thing.
Not much point in Buying anything new for it, its just an old P4. Really just wanted to have something with win98 on to play my older games easier. Thanks for your help, saved me the hassel of setting it up then finding i had to Unset it up. lol
A power supply isn't really something that goes out of style quickly like a graphics card. Buy a good one now, and you should easily be able to carry it over to any machine you get within the next few years worry-free. I did say a good one though, not some $40 500w clunker.
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