Power supply recommendations

[Alma J Wetzker]

Alan Jackson wrote:
> Well, I'm not much of a hardware guy, but I know some of you are.
> 
> The fan on my power supply has failed, so I need to get another. It is
> a SKY HAWK SH250ATX, 250 watt. Should I just replace it with an identical
> one, or are there recommendations for something different? (The system was
> first booted up in May, 2001). Or maybe all power supplies are created equal?
> I doubt that!
> 

I like something bigger than that.  350's or 400's at least.  I tend to run at 
least one CD device and at least one hard drive.  Some of the new graphics 
cards take some power, fans like to spin and add in cards all take a bit.  I 
tend to upgrade parts piecemeal until I can afford a new mobo and I can jack 
up all the cards and slide it into place.  That leaves an old, working mobo 
and all the old cards that I can put together for kids or give-away (with 
linux, of course).

If you do not tend to upgrade, the same rating may be ok.  Not all PS's are 
created equal.  You can find them for under $20.00.  I tend to like the ones 
that run quieter, so that they have more expensive fans.  That usually implies 
better components all round.  YMMV

     -- Alma

If you have too many watts, everything runs just fine, even with a cheap part. 
  If you have too few watts, things get flaky and then die strangely.