Vista - Power Supply

**Airbot** · 11-26-2008

Does anyone know where to get a good Gateway compatible 500watt up power supply?

**bruce2** · 11-26-2008

Hi Airbot, welcome to the board,

I believe a standard size PSU would fit in that unit. In making sure of that, you always can take a measurement before purchase. I don't believe Gateway will provide such information.

If the possible reason for your step up is for an addition of a mediocre gaming GPU, I heard that the built in 400 Watt PSU provides sufficient amperes.

Good luck and post back.

**Brink** · 11-26-2008

I had a old eMachines (Gateway) computer, and it would accept any standard size PSU.

**YoVincenzo** · 11-26-2008

I've seen some computers where the manuf had changed the location of some wires in the plug. I'd suggest comparing the wire colors on the new and old motherboard connectors before installing.

**Dwarf** · 11-26-2008

Quote: Originally Posted by YoVincenzo

I've seen some computers where the manuf had changed the location of some wires in the plug. I'd suggest comparing the wire colors on the new and old motherboard connectors before installing.

Dell is the manufacturer you are thinking about. For a number of years, they used none standard PSUs which, although they had the same physical dimensions and mountings as a standard ATX unit, were certainly not interchangeable. Although the plugs were the same, the order (as well as the number of voltage lines i.e. 3.3v, 5v and 12v) of the wires on the main 20/24 way plug was different. In addition, on some units the wire colours were not standard.

**johngalt** · 11-26-2008

Gateway has been known to do it as well - an in particularly, some Gateway models are set up as BTX cases as opposed to ATX cases, making the restrictions on PSU, while not as great as a completely non-standard PSU, still more restrictive, in that you need the cables to be a certain length to make it to the motherboard and peripherals....

**Airbot** · 11-26-2008

Thanks for the input guys. Is the size and wire connections the only compatibility issue with PS? Or is there some other considerations to take. Well, the OE ps is sufficient enough I guess. I have a cheap ATI HD 3450 card. It works just fine but I get the "Display Driver stopped working and has sucessfully recovered" error quite a bit often on. Not when playing games, just whenever it wants. I always update the driver and it never corrects it. I suppose it could be a heat issue?

**johngalt** · 11-26-2008

It could be a heat issue, a PSU issue, or other issues, including a mobo issue - but you might want to evaluate your PSU requirements using the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator v2.5 to be sure your 500 is going to be enough.

**Airbot** · 11-26-2008

Thanks John, I'll try that.

11-26-2008	#1 (permalink)
Airbot Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 TECHNET 1,649 posts	Power Supply Does anyone know where to get a good Gateway compatible 500watt up power supply?
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#2 (permalink)
bruce2 Vista Ultimate 64 bit 584 posts	Re: Power Supply Hi Airbot, welcome to the board, I believe a standard size PSU would fit in that unit. In making sure of that, you always can take a measurement before purchase. I don't believe Gateway will provide such information. If the possible reason for your step up is for an addition of a mediocre gaming GPU, I heard that the built in 400 Watt PSU provides sufficient amperes. Good luck and post back. Last edited by bruce2; 11-26-2008 at 12:07 PM..
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#3 (permalink)
Brink Vista x64 Ultimate SP2, Windows 7 Ultimate x64 25,940 posts	Re: Power Supply I had a old eMachines (Gateway) computer, and it would accept any standard size PSU.
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#4 (permalink)
YoVincenzo Vista Home Premium 39 posts	Re: Power Supply I've seen some computers where the manuf had changed the location of some wires in the plug. I'd suggest comparing the wire colors on the new and old motherboard connectors before installing.
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#5 (permalink)
Dwarf Vista Home Premium 32-bit & Vista Ultimate 64-bit both Service Pack 2 W7 Pro RTM 7600 32 & 64 2,148 posts	Re: Power Supply Quote: Originally Posted by YoVincenzo I've seen some computers where the manuf had changed the location of some wires in the plug. I'd suggest comparing the wire colors on the new and old motherboard connectors before installing. Dell is the manufacturer you are thinking about. For a number of years, they used none standard PSUs which, although they had the same physical dimensions and mountings as a standard ATX unit, were certainly not interchangeable. Although the plugs were the same, the order (as well as the number of voltage lines i.e. 3.3v, 5v and 12v) of the wires on the main 20/24 way plug was different. In addition, on some units the wire colours were not standard.
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#6 (permalink)
johngalt Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Power Supply Gateway has been known to do it as well - an in particularly, some Gateway models are set up as BTX cases as opposed to ATX cases, making the restrictions on PSU, while not as great as a completely non-standard PSU, still more restrictive, in that you need the cables to be a certain length to make it to the motherboard and peripherals....
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#7 (permalink)
Airbot Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 TECHNET 1,649 posts	Re: Power Supply Thanks for the input guys. Is the size and wire connections the only compatibility issue with PS? Or is there some other considerations to take. Well, the OE ps is sufficient enough I guess. I have a cheap ATI HD 3450 card. It works just fine but I get the "Display Driver stopped working and has sucessfully recovered" error quite a bit often on. Not when playing games, just whenever it wants. I always update the driver and it never corrects it. I suppose it could be a heat issue?
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#8 (permalink)
johngalt Vista Ultimate x64 MAK, OpenSolaris 5, Gentoo 2008.1.... 3,848 posts	Re: Power Supply It could be a heat issue, a PSU issue, or other issues, including a mobo issue - but you might want to evaluate your PSU requirements using the eXtreme Power Supply Calculator v2.5 to be sure your 500 is going to be enough.
My System Specs

11-26-2008	#9 (permalink)
Airbot Vista Ultimate SP2 x64 Windows 7 Ultimate x64 TECHNET 1,649 posts	Re: Power Supply Thanks John, I'll try that.
My System Specs

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