Want to verify 100% load is no problem

[CBRworm]

I just want to make sure. I built this SFF PC with a Delta 250 watt power supply. It is a P965 w/ E6600 w/ an ATI X2600XT and 2 750gb Sata drives along with all the other normal stuff (2gb ram, optical drive, fans, etc). When I am playing a game (yes you can play a game with the 2600) my kill-a-watt says I am drawing just under 300 watts from the wall. I figure with the inefficiencies that means I am probably drawing just about all the power from this 250 watt supply available. I just want to verify that long term it should be able to handle it without failing - The machine will run 24/7, but at idle the machine was only drawing just over 100 watts from the wall.

Is it a bad sign that while I am running TAT @ 100%, if I am in ATItool and run the Scan for Artifacts (puts load on video) that the system fans all slow down about 200rpm until I stop scanning? I think that is related to all the power being drawn through the motherboard (this video card has no PCI-E power connector) The voltage drop at the molex connectors is only .2 volt on the 12v line. The system fans are all connected to the MB.

[jonnyGURU]

A little less than 250W, but yeah.. you're close.

Obviously you're not exceeding any of the PSU's OCP's or the unit would shut down. The thing I would be most worried about, especially in a box that small, is heat. This could be causing the slow down and the potential de-rating curve on that PSU could cause it to not be able to always put out it's rated power for any given period of time.

[CBRworm]

I will work on the airflow. The internal air temp was good until I put in the 2600xt video card - passively cooled - so it is relying on internal airflow. The heatsink is bigger than the video card, and reports over 80c in ATI tool when in 3d mode. that brought up the internal temperature incredibly high.

Right now I have a fan next to the video card pulling air out, and one pulling air in near the processor in addition to the one in the power supply.

Before the video card the air temperature coming out of either outlet was cool at best. Now the whole case is warm to the touch and the air coming out is hot.

I am limited in fan size though, and I want it to be relatively quiet.

I currently have a 120mm Noctua (the higher speed one) pushing air into the case and the PS has an 80mm fan that turns very slowly, and I added another 60mm exh fan by the video card that moves a good bit of air.

Maybe I should have the 120mm fan pulling air out and the 60 pushing air in.

The temperature stays low if the card is not in 3d mode. The clock speed in 3d mode is 800mhz. In 2d mode it is 110mhz. As you can imagine - big difference in temp and power use.