Thermal Glue

How can I find out what motherboard I have and how many watts of power it can handle?

Got a new graphics card, went to install it, realized that my power supply wasn't enough, ordered a new power supply. Going from 350 to 450. Then my buddy told me it would be possible to blow my motherboard if I put too much power to it. So how can I find what the limits of my motherboard are?

Public Comments

1. download PCWizard 2008. It will tell you all kinds of information about your computer http://www.cpuid.com/pcwizard.php
2. Go to teh configuration menu and then click on system all information should be displayed their.
3. Sry to tell you yr buddy is WRONG PSU supplies what ever yr motherboard requires no more no less Every connector has a specific voltage Just make sure the connector of yr PSU and connectors are compatible When you use a 450Watt PSU it enable you to put more device in yr Rig like 4 disk drive 4 RAM 2 Graphic Card in SLI a 350 Watt PSU will hang if you put too much device on it due to insufficient power Additional Info A good brand PSU will supply constant power with less fluctuation which makes it ideal for overclocking while a PSU with poorer make will not be able to overclock much due to fluctuating power
4. Those extra watts come from an increase in available amps. In other words, a 450W PSU is supplying the same volts as a 350W model, but if more amps are needed, the PSU can deliver more before giving out. Your buddy is right that putting too much power to it could blow your motherboard, but buying a bigger power supply won't put more power to it - it will just make more power avaliable.