Originally Posted by: suicidalmooseOnly 2 notes? most powerchords i come by are structured like so

7 9
7 or 9
5 7

so these aren't powerchords?

sure there are metallica riffs like in for whom the bell tolls that use powerchords like so

2 4
0 and 2


Or have i totally confused myself.

No, you're right - triads can be power chords as well. In fact, the first "power chord song" my teacher taught me was "Anthem for the Year 2000" by Silverchair, which uses three-note power chords.