Question280 watt or 400 watt?
Question280 watt or 400 watt?
Hello everyone, I just got my new computer from Amazon. I double-checked with a third-party seller who confirmed the power rating was either 400 or 280 watts, and he told me it was the 400-watt version. When I opened the side panel of the tower case (a HP EliteDesk 800 G2), I was surprised to find the power rating listed as 280 watts. After talking to customer support, they said it can deliver up to 400 watts and that "PFC (power factor correction) will be activated when the PC needs more power." Based on what I know, this model is available in both 280 and 400 watt ratings. If the 280-watt rating can actually supply up to 400 watts, then what does the 400-watt label mean? He pointed me to a datasheet for the HP EliteDesk 800 G2. Is he being honest or just giving me misleading info? Anyone have any ideas? I've been searching for weeks about the best memory, CPU, and PS in tower systems. The only complaint is the vertical DVD drive. Thanks!
The cpu/gpu determines which psu fits in those models. When both are original and the cpu is high-end (not i3 or low-end i5, etc.), with a 6pin/8pin connector, it should be the 400w psu. If it's the budget models with no extra power gpu, then the 280w psu is correct. That’s what you need to know. If you have an i7 and a GTX970 but use the 280w psu, you might be in trouble—whether by choice or mistake.
The label shows the wattage, that’s all. It doesn’t say it can handle 400w with active power correction. That’s a misleading claim. Active power factor correction improves efficiency, meaning less power is drawn from the wall and less is wasted as heat. This has nothing to do with the actual output rating.
In short, it’s a scam. Your decision now depends on whether you contact Amazon for a return or refund and deal with the situation, or accept it and move forward.
Personally, I’d go with the latter—replace the psu anyway. Its age, condition, or usage makes it unreliable. A 400w unit from a trustworthy seller is cheap protection. Or skip it and opt for a decent psu, as HP generally meets ATX standards depending on the case and fit.