Power Supplys help

[ChrisXPPro]

Useful addition BC_ - thanks.

Makes me think I should refer to a rail output current as not only MAX - but the critical word would be "sustained" - because as you say peak very short term surges usually can be tolerated.

Overall tho, as with any power delivery system - keeping demand well below the unit max potential is always desirable - thus the reason for over rating when choosing what power factor to install.  It should increase unit life and run that bit cooler too.

[nymph4]

Ok I think I am getting the way Power Supplys work and how I sould read the ratings.

I am going to have a lot of Hard Drives inside the PC and I came up with the Total Wattage for them is 18 Watts.

Now when I look at Power Supplys I see one Output Rating for    + 12 Volts at 60 Amps
12  X  60  = 720 Watts
So I thought that will be more then I need for all my Hard Drives.

Then I remembered that I need an ATX Power Supply and they give - 12 Volts I think???

I just wanted to run this by anyone that can help???

[nymph4]

What I should have asked is Power Supplys give 3V 5V and 12V

They are all = Volts or they are all - Volts

ATX are all - Volts  right???

[patio]

Ok I think I am getting the way Power Supplys work and how I sould read the ratings.

I don't think this is true yet...

[nymph4]

OK I think if I tell you ware I am getting my Information about Power Supplys then you can help me more.

I when to wikipedia.com and looked up Power Supplys and they say this?

The Intel CPUs ran on 3.3 Volts and the ATX Power Supply Standard supplyed three Positive Rails  + 3.3 Volts  + 5 Volts and  + 12 Volts.

Then the Pentium 4. came out and used + 12 Volts from a connecter called P4.

Then they say all new Computers run everything off the + 12 Volts  and they added more + 12 Volt Rails. Ok I get everything so far and this is why I see a lot of Power Supplys with say three + 12 Volts and eatch one has a diferant Amp Ratting.

Do I have all of this right??

[Hedonist]

Hahahahahahah - he's doing it again - hahahahahahah

Have a look at this lot not so long ago...

[nymph4]

Ok I just when to PC Power and Cooling Web Site and I see a lot of pecs for Power Supplys that have 2.  + 12 Volts and  1.  - 12 Volt

Was I right about what I found on Wikipedia about +12 Volts is for Motors and Drives and not everything needs +12 Volts.

And they added more +12 Volts because everything needs it??