Buying a new power supply

bluep

My pc power supply has started to whine and seeing as its very old (i.e. I've replaced every other component in the box apart from it!), I thought I'd buy a new one. Anything I need to look out for? I was going along the lines that the more powerful the better seeing as I have 3 HDD, graphics card, 2 fans and dvd writer powered off it as well as the motherboard.

Maplin have one in their sale this week:
X-POwer 500w ATX PSU
http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=98736&doy=31m1#overview

Do I need to check any compatibility? I just have a 350w eagle unit in at the moment - should this be enough for my needs? Its mostly just the noise that is narking me off at the moment!

Blacksheep1979

you probably don't need anything more powerful than a 350W one but to be on the safe side look at 450+W. Maplin isn't the cheapest place for PC bits have a look at microdirect, scan, dabs etc and spend as much as you can afford on a decent PSU - you do get what you pay for. Look for names like antec, tagan, seasonic etc

MercilessKiller

For power don't look at maplins

However for price of their cheapo PSU's its ok.. however they're usually measured differently.

I.e a 400W Cheap PSU from Maplins (Q-Tec etc..) is usually 400W PEAK and NOT 400W standard!

Personally I'd go for Antec or Thermaltake PSU's from Ebuyer! VERY good quality.. well recommended and supported...

bluep

I wouldn't normally look twice at Maplins lol. It's just that they have a low noise 500w reduced from £45 to £29... and that was kind of what I wanted to pay...

MercilessKiller

Hmm I cant find a proper hardware review on this make... Thus I would stay away personally.

I bought a dodgy power supply which surged and set my motherboard on fire. Though any PSU could have done that it taught me to simply pay a bit more for quality!

GoofyGAT

Consider the 400w Silverpower SP-400P1B - £31.45 delivered. See reviews here & here. Check you motherboard though as it doesn't have a 24-pin connector. G