Xbox 360 stepdown - 300W or 500W - how to calculate?

[Daylen]

I've heard from several people that to run an Xbox 360 imported from the USA you need a stepdown converter of at least 500W. But according to the NTSC-UK FAQ and one or two other sources, a 300W will get the job done.

Could someone please confirm that they've got an import X360 running issue-free with a 300W stepdown converter? What is the correct method to calculate what strength stepdown converter is the minimum to run an imported console or any other electrical appliance?

[Daylen]

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[xbox360_king]

i have run a uk pal power pack on a jap xbox 360 and it works fine. the power is the same in us. the power pack works in a similar way to the psp, just plug in different plug easy mate, i would not req using a us power pack with uk power but a uk power pack will powera us machine. there is one for sale on ebay i seen

[Spatial]

I'm using a 500W for my US system. I wouldn't recommend a 300w one as it'll probably be running at maximum capacity and that'll shorten its lifespan.

I've read elsewhere of 300w ones going tits up when used with the 360. Play it safe and go for a 500w one (you can get them for around ?30 or less anyway). Or just try and get a UK supply as suggested above.

[Daylen]

If a 300W isn't safe, then why do NTSC-UK recommend it as being more than enough? How do you calculate the required power?

[Light]

Reviving this thread because I too need to know. Is 300W dangerous to run or will it be fine with an NTSC xbox360?

[EJG1980]

Reviving this thread because I too need to know. Is 300W dangerous to run or will it be fine with an NTSC xbox360?

I use a 300W stepdown to run my Japanese Xbox 360 and I've had no problems with it at all. Being using it nearly every day since the middle of December '05.

If I see a UK power supply I'll pick one up and switch to that, but thus far I've had zero probs with the 300W stepdown. My main reason for change would be to save space and cause less clutter

Edit: I have this 300W model from Maplins.

[Light]

Yup, ordered that yesterday myself... should be here soon. Cheers mate.

[charlesr]

If a 300W isn't safe, then why do NTSC-UK recommend it as being more than enough? How do you calculate the required power?

Where did we say that?

[tom-nook]

Where did we say that?

I think he was probably referring to Q4 of Jez Overton's Import faq where it states a 300w stepdown is recommended for the 360:

http://www.ntsc-uk.com/tech.php?tech=ImportFAQ

To say it is 'more than enough' is purely down to personal interpretation though.

[Daylen]

However, at NTSC-UK we strongly recommend using a step down with a power rating of at least 30% higher than the power required by the console.

• Dreamcast - 75 Watts
• PS2 - 100 Watts
• Gamecube - 120 Watts
• Xbox - 150 Watts
• Xbox 360 - 300 Watts

Hence NTSC-UK is saying that a 300W step down is +-30% higher than the power required to run an Xbox 360, right?