how do you find the wattage of computer power supply?

[Goldom]

I'm sure its right there if i open it up, but ideally from the system? I can't find it in Device Manager?

[Syrinx]

1. I've never heard of such a thing, but I won't say it's impossible

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

2. Aside from opening it up what does your owner's manual say?

I had a computer 11 years ago with a power supply without sufficient wattage. The power supply eventually burned out and had to be replaced.

[Ladyhawk]

3. As far as I know, you have to open it up.

I build/repair/upgrade systems and if there's another way to do it, I'd sure like to know. :)

BTW, power supplies are not made very well these days. They burn out very easily, whether they're overtaxed or not. There was an article about this at Tom's Hardware. I've seen a lot of burned-out power supplies.

[TrogL]

4. Open it up, it's on the side

The computer has no way of knowing the rating of your power supply. If it gets its 12/5/3.5/whatever volts, it's perfectly happy.

[Kamikaze]

5. Just make sure to stay FAR AWAY from a generic brand

Those things are not built to last.

If I have to suggest a brand, it would be Antec. It's been keeping my PC going strong for nearly 2 and a half years now. And this is after upgrading to an Athlon XP 2600+ from a 1900+ and a Radeon 9700 Pro video card from a Radeon 8500.

I can't wait to build my next system, and throw a 500W behemoth inside. :D

[Goldom]

6. well, maybe someone can answer directly...

Looking at new video cards- one I see, at least, as what I would ideally like, (and who wouldn't), says it requires a 350W power supply. I'll check when I get home, but I'm pretty sure mine is currently 300. I remember reading a while ago that new video cards were coming with their own power cords that went right to the AC, but is this in addition to recieving power through the computer, or is that an option for people who don't have enough power in the thing itself? I would rather not change the PSU if at all possible, because, while I can change out a card, I could not rewire all the power cables myself. At least I doubt it, I've never tried. And I'm not one to like bringing systems about to people for doing things. Especially because it seriously takes two people to even lift mine, I can't move it more than a couple inches to and from the floor to clean it and such. More importantly though, I've tried, and can't understand for the life of me how all the numbers work. Volts and whatnot. When replacing one, are you supposed to get one that has the same of all those things as what's already there, with just different W, or is that technically impossible? Electricity hurts my brain. Even though my brain is electitriciiticiyish. Yeah. Anyway, I do know some people who could probably explain it well enough that I could buy one for them to put in, but.. yeah. Sorry for that roundabout post. If anyone's got answers to any of those questions up there, feel free to answer. Especially that bit about the video card power cables.

[Goldom]

7. nevermind

the point is moot. My PSU is 430W. I win. And the one on my old comp is 330W, which I think should be enough to put the old one from here into there, since that one's is current burnt out and got lines all over the screen. I win.