TC-885 EB17 Power Supply Upgrade? Anyone done it and what are your results?

TheDove
TheDove Member Posts: 14

Tinkerer
edited March 1 in 2020 Archives
I tried a calculator and it says I probably use between 231W(It wouldn't let me choose mixed ram so I chose 2x8G), 231W(it let me choose 2 types of ram), and 276W(it didn't let me select 4G & 8G RAM so I chose 16G x1). 

On my system I have just the barebones meaning the stuff it came with so it has only the CPU(65w apprently), DVDRW, RAM, and 1TB(5400rpm?) hard drive it came with.  Two of them asked how long I use the computer about 8 hrs a day.  Some days I don't use it at all and other times I'm only most of the day.(like most people it varies)

The only things I have connected to it are my printer(Pixima) which is off 99% of the time(It's on USB but can go wifi or bluetooth), a tablet drawing pad(I'll probably disconnect as I never use it and it's USB), my keyboard & mouse(basic but USB), and my microsoft headset(USB but not generally in use).  I have two powered 45w speakers that plug into the audio jack, a Acer E series 1920x1080p monitor(connected through video card on HDMI/DVI converter cord).  I just installed a 1650 video card.(rated for a 300w psu and it's energy consumption is 75w)

I don't know if I need to upgrade.  If I do I probably only need a 350w to 450w psu.  450w and 500w  are quite affordably priced at between $45 to $70.  They seem to come with a 120mm fan.  I do have a old 750w thermaltake but it is a bit much for what I need and is over 3 years old.  I've been looking at the Coolmax, Enermax, Thermaltake, and EVA.  I have more experience using the Thermaltake(750w), an Enermax(can't remember but think it was a 350w).  The supply they come with is ok.  It's a common supply used with intel products.  However years ago my 386 or 486 needed it swapped.  My 750w was on a Athlon II X3(2G ram I think). 

I'll probably upgrade due to psu warranty, etc but I don't put a heavy load on it.  I just basically play wow and surf the net.  However I'm about to get a thermal sensor 80mm fan.  If it doesn't bring down the temp I might switch the gtx1650(75w) to a GT1030 2G(20w and it seems to have a fan but no listing on how warm it gets).

Answers

  • TheDove
    TheDove Member Posts: 14

    Tinkerer
    I just tried a Thermaltake 500w but it had a problem.  It states on the box that one line is a 2 - 4 pin connectors.  Well it was one solid 6 pin and a 2 pin.  We need the 4 pin for the boards.

    I got a Deep Cool UF-80 fan and it works.  It does vary speeds but doesn't seem to climb too high right now.  Probably because nothings triggered it enough.  My temps playing Warcraft are about 52C GPU at 42% capacity and 35% power.  My ram is unsleeved default RAM and I'm going to buy cooler sleeves for it.  It does contribute to the board heat alot when in heavy use.  Same with a M.2 if it doesn't have a heatsink on it.  The cores 0 to 5 were all around 47 to 52C under load playing the game on Warcraft recommended settings.(I didn't use the manufacturers settings for the gtx1650 as it pumps to ultra, etc and that might add to heat).

    Acer's are built as an affordable machine with reasonable power.  The LiteOn 300w PSU's they get at cost as they were one of the original CPU's on early machines.  The DVDRW has a simlar background as an early laptop and is also at cost.  So manufacturers of LiteOn and DVDRW drive make no profit.  The case insides were the same way with a small charge for the front panel.  The money in these machines is for the RAM, CPU, and Motherboard with a mid range HD. 

    Any addition of video card requires generally PSU upgrade because of the design of the LiteOn and not simply due to load(my load tested at 105W).  Also a case fan be it 92mm or 80mm.  The positive pressure cooling is noticeable as I was sitting I could feel cold air floating towards me.  It stopped the case from getting hot at 3 or so hours game play.  But the case is still noticeably warm and it's in the areas of the hard drive, ram, and GPU.  Since the GPU like the PSU is staying reasonable.  I'm guessing the most likely one causing it is either the hard drive or the RAM.  So I'm going to buy online some ram coolers which are fairly cheap at around only $2 for a pair.

    I just now have to find a PSU with 4 pin connector, sata connectors, and is around 500w.  Hopefully with a 120mm fan in it or 2 fans.

    Since the case fan is working and the HWMonitor never detects anything in PMW I'm guessing this system doesn't do PMW.  The PSU fan seems to vary slightly but is likely similar to the case fan in using the on board thermal sensor.  It did beep once while I was doing things.  But earlier I had pulled out the PSU to add the other and then found out it didn't have the right connector.  I'm not sure if the beep was a warning or not as it did it once and never again, and had no other warning, etc pop up.

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