Power Supply: Too Much?

[Lightning_Strike]

I currently run a desktop with a 250 watt power supply and I am looking to upgrade, what I want to know is it possible to get too high of a power supply for a computer? For example say I buy a 1000 watt power supply, which is to the extreme side for this example, could getting such a high power supply hurt my computer I have looked around on other sites and got mixed responses. Thanks to anyone who can help!

[Jelly Bean]

If you post your computer hardware specs we could see whats for the best.

 

However if your computer is a little older as it appears to be with just 250 watt PSU then I think that 1000 watt PSU would certainly be an over kill.

 

An older computer may not be compatable with such a large wattage.

[Lightning_Strike]

Alright Here are my computer specs I know at the moment I dont need a better power supply but im looking to upgrade the graphics card since the current one is integrated and most graphics cards require more power that the 250 watt supplies.

 

Operating System

-MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

CPU

-AMD Phenom II X4 830

RAM

-8.00 GB Dual-Channel

Motherboard

-FOXCONN 2A92

Graphics

-HP 2310 (1920x1080@59Hz) ATI Radeon HD 4200 (HP)

Audio

-Realtek High Definition Audio

 

Anything else for my specs that is needed please tell me and ill get right on it.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Lightning_Strike

[KenB]

Hi,

 

The wattage on a PSU is the maximum it can supply.

 

This doesn't mean to say that if you have a 1000 Watt PSU the output is 1000Watts all the time.

The system draws the current it needs.

So, for example, if you buy a Video Card for your system and the Video Card specs suggest that the maximum wattage the card will need is 200Watts

( this is not the PSU but the power required to run the card ) then your present PSU would not be able to supply the required current to run the whole system.

 

A 1000Watt PSU could ( with some to spare ).

It supplies the system requirements as and when the system needs it. ( The current supplied varies as you are doing different things ).

Current is measured in Amps.

Watts = Amps x Volts.

 

The PSU is generally bought to comply with the requirements of the new Video Card.

You should be able to look at the card specs and the system specs will normally specify the minimum requirements from a PSU.

If the specs suggested 450 Watt minimum then there is no reason why you could not buy a 750 watt PSU.

 

I hope this helps.