do you need for a modern motherbord, say one to run a 3Ghz pentium 4 or latest AMD processor?

do they need the same?

robski

For future proofing i would suggest a 480W Antec True Blue, any power supply by Antec will be the best quality u can buy. For a power supply to last ya 3 years+ i suggest that one. If not buy something like a 430W one.

ive got the above mentioned True blue,

its very good the neon light illuminates the case too.

Si

i'm running an Antec Truepower 380... bearing in mind the current lack of price difference go for the 430.... if not the 380 will be fine... and I mean FINE

I mean whats really necessary?

Ive been down the super over the top stuff before and cant be bothered with it now. I have spent loads on "the best brand" type stuff and bought super cheap unbranded and to be honest never noticed a difference when running normal home use.

Yeah if you want to run outside specs then Im sure its going to make a difference, but I dont have time for all the overclocking fine tuning, so I just want to run a decentish processor at factory specs.

So is a 300W up to the job or is that too small now?

robski

things to consider are.... how quiet do you want it... how many devices are you going to run and how long do you want it to last...

if you want it quiet, stable, to run a few hard disks a quick cpu and good graphics, want it to last a good while then buy an Antec Truepower....

Some of the better PSU's are quieter if that makes any diff, but I'd say 300W is fine unless your running loads of drives etc.