| The Lounge - Power Supplies posted in the Community forums; PSU 's are probably the most overlooked, underfunded, misunderstood piece of hardware in the vast majority of computer builds. This oversight is most apparent in 'off-the-shelf', close and play name ... |
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07-15-2008
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RoosterPoot, MS (North of Hurricane Alley); US of A
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Power Supplies
PSU's are probably the most overlooked, underfunded, misunderstood piece of hardware in the vast majority of computer builds. This oversight is most apparent in 'off-the-shelf', close and play name brand computers, but rears it's ugly head in home builts, too.
Even the instances where a saavy builder attempts to purchase the correct PSU, many times the selection is based solely on total wattage rating. Nothing could be further from 'Right'.
I learned this fact the hard way, and am more than lucky no permanent damaged was caused by penny pinching in the wrong area.
Case in point: I bought an elcheapo 680 watt PSU for my #1 computer ( ). It was on sale for $16 @ one of the online re-re-re-tailers of brand new No-Name hardware. That POJ has a +12 volt current rating of a measly 22 amps. JUNK!! Adding a newer/better video card pushed it over the edge, and caused random reboots when my system was under heavy load. The various voltages were ALL out of spec, some too high and others too low.
Since my 'rebirth' I've bought two PSU's (52 amp single +12 volt rail - intentionally) with a 650 watt rating. No more random reboots on either computer. IMO, multiple +12 volt rail PSU's have the potential to create problems unless you balance the loads applied to each rail. SOME multi-rail PSU's will share/redistribute the +12 volt available power among different rails so you don't have to (BFG, for one, has models that do this), but many don't. Overloading one rail puts you right back into the same delimma as having an underpowered single rail PSU.
Just one man's opinion...............
__________________
 "Have you scanned the RAM timings for Operator's Headspace?? Too much real estate between the audio collectors will block the connection which allows proper operation of your computer." __B. Lowe
An Optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.
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07-15-2008
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Tech Support Team
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Akron, Ohio
Posts: 493 PC Experience: Support
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Re: Power Supplies
i have a 1000 watt in my system. underpowered no more!
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07-15-2008
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Silver Member
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Posts: 166 PC Experience: Experienced
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Re: Power Supplies
I've got an Antec something 650. It has 3x19A 12V rails. I'd rather have a single 12V rail also, I can't figure out why they are pushing these split rails.
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07-15-2008
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RoosterPoot, MS (North of Hurricane Alley); US of A
Posts: 459 PC Experience: DOH!! *&^%$#@!
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Re: Power Supplies
IMO, it's the 'latest thing', and folks are blindly following the ads. From what I've read, your PSU is a good one. I don't know if it will automatically balance the loads across the various +12 volt rails, but if the cables are marked (as to which rail they represent) balancing your +12 volt requirements is easy. Some multi-rail PSU's don't let you know which is which. Those will definitely be a problem.
__________________
"Have you scanned the RAM timings for Operator's Headspace?? Too much real estate between the audio collectors will block the connection which allows proper operation of your computer." __B. Lowe
An Optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.
A Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
Which page are YOU on??
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07-15-2008
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Moderation Team Leader
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Swansea
Posts: 5,911 PC Experience: I Try My Best.
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Re: Power Supplies
Cobracon you meanie.
Spend some cash on a decent one,geez.
I have an OCZ 600 watt does the job for me.
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07-15-2008
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RoosterPoot, MS (North of Hurricane Alley); US of A
Posts: 459 PC Experience: DOH!! *&^%$#@!
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Re: Power Supplies
Originally Posted by Jelly Bean
Cobracon you meanie.
Spend some cash on a decent one,geez.
I have an OCZ 600 watt does the job for me.
You're preaching to the choir..... . I did you one (actually two) better. I have 2 Corsair CMPSU-650TX units installed in #1 and #2 computers. No frivolous 2/3/4/6/25 +12 volt rails, JUST ONE 52 amp +12 volt rail. I can weld with this sucker!!
__________________
"Have you scanned the RAM timings for Operator's Headspace?? Too much real estate between the audio collectors will block the connection which allows proper operation of your computer." __B. Lowe
An Optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.
A Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
Which page are YOU on??
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08-14-2008
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Elite Member
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: RoosterPoot, MS (North of Hurricane Alley); US of A
Posts: 459 PC Experience: DOH!! *&^%$#@!
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Re: Power Supplies
Adding a site with a detailed explanation that Wadd found and posted in another thread:
So what's all this rubbish about multiple 12 volt rails?
There are several topics listed at the top of the page. I'd suggest you read all of them.
__________________
"Have you scanned the RAM timings for Operator's Headspace?? Too much real estate between the audio collectors will block the connection which allows proper operation of your computer." __B. Lowe
An Optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.
A Pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity.
Which page are YOU on??
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