I currently have an Allied 300W power supply. After modding I've added a few other things and as some of you know, my power resets (Computer basically reboots) when I flip on the Cold Cathode. Now I haven't had any trouble with the Allied until now, which I think is just because I don't have the power to supply the CC with the needed power to turn on.

My question is, would I go wrong with buying an Allied 400W PSU? I found it pretty low on NewEgg and I don't plan to add any more hardware to this computer (At least not electrical).

I'm running a P4 1.5Ghz with stock HSF, with 256mb RDRAM (PC800). 2 cd-rom, 1 HDD (80 gig 7200RPM Seagate Barracuda IV), 2 case fans (One is clear with blue LEDs), the CC, the Asus P4T motherboard. That's about what I got for stuff that really needs powering. I added the clear fan with blue LEDs, the CC and the 80 gig HDD (Replaced the old 20 gig WD Caviar). I think the new HDD is taking more power, the new fan is taking more, and the CC just maxes it out when flipping it on. I think with the Allied 400W I should be able to run everything fine power wise. What do you guys think?

If it is a cheap PS you may be over-tasking it. It's the amperage, not the watts you should be worried about. You should be rated to at least 14 - 15 amps with a 400W PS. I recently had a problem booting a GeForce card with a 300W PS that was only powering the mobo. I switched PS's and it worked fine.

One method that is used to test power supplies that actually works is to weigh it. I'm not kidding, just weigh it. If your PS is under 4lbs, it is probably pretty cheap. 5lbs or better is what you shoot for. It has to do with the quality of the internal components.

Directron.com has an article addressing this and actually give a weight for all the PS's they sell.

I agree with BA..just to add I like Antec PS's 400W or more...they make good a good product and I've never had a problem with them.

Is there any recommended PS units that should fix my problem and are in the $50 range? I found an Antec 330W and Enermax 350W both weiging around the 4lbs. range. The Antec is slightly more, the Enermax is slightly less.

I don't know of any 400W PS's in the $50 dollar price range that are good. There usually around $75.00

Whoa Hgoale, I had some deja vu......didn't we have this conversation on some other forum long ago?

Antec 400w is the way to go IMHO as well.

I thought I told you this before some where LOL...must be a glitch in the matrix or something....

Yea but like BA said, it's not always the wattage that matters. I've seen good brand name 330-350Ws in the $50 range. Both are in the 4lbs. range and I'm really powering a ton in this rig, not compared to many of the other pimps on here. Just wondering if those Antec or Enermax 330-350Ws have the amps I need.

Both Enermax and Antec have a solid reputation, I am using an older Antec303 in my 1.4gig system, all the usual drives and was even powering an 80watt peltier with no power problems so I even though my old (there are newer versions) Antec303 300watt is ugly with only one 80mm fan, I have gotten very respectful of the product.

Yea I think we did, but it wasn't getting the popularity I was hopin More opinions is always good, even tho yours seems to be the way to go. May just have to save up some money and go for the Antec 400W.

my antec 400 watt only $67 from newegg, doing great so far!

Yea, well I'd rather not go through this hassel again so I'm not gonna try to slide past and I'll grab me an Antec 400W. Thanks for all the help guys!

Hgoale...Good luck in finding one...in the end get the best you can with the money you can save up.

Yup, I ordered up the Antec 400W for $68 including shipping off NewEgg. Should do fine for me. Thanks again!