Help with power supply decision [Archive]

toddm27

10-05-03, 08:42 AM

I am going to buy a new power supply, but can't deside between the antec true control 550 or I have a pc power and cooling turbo cool 475 avail for 120.00. The only thing that holds me back on the pc power and cooling is the 12v is only 16a on vio and 18a on dig. Can anyone explain the difference. It says it is a max of 30a on both. Is this an older supply that isn't as good? or is it just listed differently and the 12v is really 30a like the tp is 24a? Thanks

L337 M33P

10-05-03, 11:57 AM

PC power and cooling because of the 1% load regulation ;)

475 Watts MEANS 475watts continuous output with PCP&C so not many computers will be able to stress that PSU

Deathknight

10-05-03, 01:33 PM

Thats a pretty amazing price on that PC P&P. The odd thing is that their website does not list that model. I know they have somewhat revamped their PSUs since I got mine(more power on the 12V on the current ones). Could be an older (or discontinued?) model.

toddm27

10-05-03, 01:53 PM

toddm27

10-09-03, 03:45 PM

bump

dustybyrd

10-09-03, 08:39 PM

thanks the only thing that holds me back is the 12v is much lower than the rest of the power supplies I've been looking at. Unless the combined 12v vio and 12v dig equals the 30a. But I don't know what the vio and dig really stand for.

i believe one 12v is for NON-CPU 12v consuming devices...like a high end video card or drives, etc...

and the other 12v is for the CPU's through the 4 pin connector...

regardless that is a great PSU and is likely to be better than the antec tp 550...

how much better? do you have all or part of the 5 year warranty that comes with those pc power and cooling psu's?

here is a review of this psu:

http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=55462

toddm27

10-10-03, 05:43 PM

Thanks, look like I'll be getting the pc power and cooling. Thats the one I've wanted all along but wanted some reassurance on the 12volt subject. Thanks again;)

Deathknight

10-10-03, 06:54 PM

I don't think you will be disapointed. You will know the quality when you get your first hernia from lifting it ;)

gingo

10-11-03, 12:53 AM

Originally posted by Deathknight
I don't think you will be disapointed. You will know the quality when you get your first hernia from lifting it ;)

LOL!

Btw, is it true that PCP&C psu's dont have the On/Off switch on the back?

dustybyrd

10-11-03, 04:42 AM

Btw, is it true that PCP&C psu's dont have the On/Off switch on the back? [/B]

depends on the model...the 475 that toddm27 is talking about doesn't have a switch...other models do though...like 510

Gautam

10-11-03, 10:13 AM

Where the heck did you find a PCP&C for that cheap???

Archangel8

10-11-03, 11:29 AM

Where the heck did you find a PCP&C for that cheap???

Thats what I would like to know, awesome PSU, for that amount of money its a steal.

I think the reference to the 12vdig 12vio may have something to do with the price, as it appears that this is a wtx specification. It looks like the PSU noted in the review has all the necessary connectors, but you might want to make sure about the connector compatibility of the one your considering before buying.

Here is a link that shows the connector used in the WTX form factor specs.

http://www.hardwarebook.net/connector/power/wtx12dig.html

The 12vio is what I think your going to get with mainboard connector and the other 12v if the amps are a concern.

dustybyrd

10-11-03, 02:20 PM

I think the reference to the 12vdig 12vio may have something to do with the price, as it appears that this is a wtx specification. It looks like the PSU noted in the review has all the necessary connectors, but you might want to make sure about the connector compatibility of the one your considering before buying.

Here is a link that shows the connector used in the WTX form factor specs.

http://www.hardwarebook.net/connector/power/wtx12dig.html

actually, i believe this pc power and cooling 475 is an "ATX" power supply with a 20 pin mobo connector and a 4 pin CPU 12v connector...

here's a quote from that review i posted earlier about this supply:

"It also comes with the standard 20-pin ATX motherboard connector, as well as the square 4-pin for P4s, and a 6 pin connection. So yes, this power supply is Intel and AMD compatible. One odd thing is that there is no power switch on the back of the power supply which I guess could be considered a bad thing for some, but I don't mind it at all."

i still believe, although i would have to check, that the two 12v specs are referring to the 4 pin connector for the CPU for one of the 12v specs and the other supplies the "regular" 12v needs of the rest of the components...

the site you posted about the WTX spec's suggests that the 8 pin connector for the CPU of WTX mobo's supplies the CPU 12v from the "dig" 12v line...

which suggests that the 12vio is for the remainder of the system 12v components...

i believe the pc power and cooling is an ATX supply with a 4 pin 12vdig connector for the CPUs...

The 12vio is what I think your going to get with mainboard connector and the other 12v if the amps are a concern. [/B]

i'm not sure what you mean by this?

Archangel8

10-11-03, 04:57 PM

I read a portion of the review, but I was still puzzled by the reference to WTX standard in the specs on the PSU that is being considered. It is probably safe to assume that it has compatible connectors, however, that is a very low price for the PSU, and as DK noted it isn't listed on the web site. Here is the WTX mainboard connector,

http://www.hardwarebook.net/connector/power/wtxadd.html

and I would guess that the 12vdig amp is reserved for the additional 4 pin (or 8 pin if true WTX) for the mobo, and that the remaining 12v lines would be the 12vio. As you can see from the links the io stands for I/O; and the dig is for Digital.

Hence I surmised that the amps associated with the 12vio spec would be one this gent is going to get on the main MOBO connection and the connectors for drives, etc.. The WTX standard was developed for workstations, server boards, etc... so it differs from ATX. Possible explaination for the price, and your alwasy talking possibilities vs. probabilities.

Something this person seems to be at least somewhat concerned about, wouldn't you agree?

Not to mention I would like to know for my own benefit, and would consider getting one myself for that price. If he will disclose the vendor:)

I found this link to a diagram of the WTX PSU form factor.

http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/form_WTX.htm

Note who the link to the manufacturer who provided it.

Enough to give one cause to pause, and make sure, that is it all.

Oh and just to clarify for you, the last reference was in respect to the diffence in amps 16 vs. 18 on the referenced lines. 18amps is not bad for the cpu line, and you don't usually need that much amperage for the rest.

dustybyrd

10-11-03, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by Archangel8
[B]I read a portion of the review, but I was still puzzled by the reference to WTX standard in the specs on the PSU that is being considered.

what reference to WTX standard? i didn't see a reference to the WTX standard in the specs.

I'm not sure if pc power and cooling made a 475 watt WTX version...

but although none of the 475 versions are on their website now...i found that they originally had 3 versions: a regular ATX, an "A4" version that was made for TYAN boards, and a "XE" version that was made for EPS12v server boards...those have the 24 pin mobo connectors and i believe the 8 pin cpu connector...

i think you had a good idea though to make sure that the 475 version is the right one (although 24 to 20 pin connectors can be had for less than $10)

Archangel8

10-11-03, 06:20 PM

what reference to WTX standard? i didn't see a reference to the WTX standard in the specs.

I was speaking to the PSU that was being considered for purchase, not the one noted in the review (even though they may be the same model). The reference to 12vio and 12vdig is specific to WTX I do believe, and it seems to me that it would not have it referenced unless it was provided, but I do believe it is also noted on the volt specs on the PSU in your review.

Again, I am not sure whether the PSU that is contained in the review you cited to is the same he is looking at or whether it is another model. I just thought it may be a good idea to make sure, and if it is an older model that was designed for a WTX board, he may be better served by choosing another. This would be a reasonable explaination for the price, as I do believe even the model that was reviewed was going for $200.

As for the adapter, well I think I will let this person decide that if necessary.

dustybyrd

10-11-03, 07:01 PM

I was speaking to the PSU that was being considered for purchase, not the one noted in the review (even though they may be the same model). The reference to 12vio and 12vdig is specific to WTX I do believe, and it seems to me that it would not have it referenced unless it was provided, but I do believe it is also noted on the volt specs on the PSU in your review.

Again, I am not sure whether the PSU that is contained in the review you cited to is the same he is looking at or whether it is another model. I just thought it may be a good idea to make sure, and if it is an older model that was designed for a WTX board, he may be better served by choosing another. This would be a reasonable explaination for the price, as I do believe even the model that was reviewed was going for $200.

As for the adapter, well I think I will let this person decide that if necessary. [/B]

the pc power and cooling 475 in the review is the ATX model, not the WTX model (this is stated in the title and where I quoted the reviewer)....

and on this page: http://www.neoseeker.com/resourcelink.html?rlid=55462

the specifications of this ATX 475 version are listed and specify 12vio and the 12vio (just as BLOB mentioned--note the bold):

"TURBO-COOL MODEL: 475 ATX/ATX12V

AC Input:
Operating Range: 90-264 VAC
0.99 power factor
auto-select
Frequency: 47-63Hz
Current: 8.0A @ 115V
Efficiency: 70%
EMI: FCC-B, CE

DC Output:
Output: +5V @ 40A
+12Vio @ 16A
+12Vdig @ 18A

-5V @ 0.3A
-12V @ 2A
+3.3V @ 45A
+5VSB @ 3.5A
+5 & +3.3V<300W
+12Vio/dig<30A

Miscellaneous:
Compatibility: ATX (Rev. 2.03)
MB Connectors: 20-pin, 6-pin, P4

note they also clearly mention the 20 pin mobo and 4 pin cpu connectors standard to an ATX psu...and these are mentioned in the specifications on the 475 psu they review

and here is an image of the connectors on this 475 ATX psu that they review:

http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/cases/PCPC475_Image_3.html

note the 20 pin and 4 pin ATX connectors

12vdig and 12vio ratings must not be specific to WTX psu's

Archangel8

10-11-03, 07:32 PM

12vdig and 12vio ratings must not be specific to WTX psu's

What I said is that the 12vio and 12vdig is a WTX specification, the fact that the labeling on the ATX supply reviewed contains references to voltage sepcs normally associated with the WTX form does not change that. Why PC decided to include those references in the specs is beyond me, and is one of the reasons, in combination with the price, that I reccomended that the person buying this psu should investigate.

Listen I understand you may have some point you are trying to get at in taking a very simple suggestion, and turning it into a three page post. Liten I don't want to be rude, but I am sorry I don't have time to argue with you regarding what is or is not a ATX v. WTX standard. Follow some of the links that I cited to you and I am sure that you will see what I am talking about. WTX and ATX are design specifications, and the 12vio 12vdig are distinctions found in the WTX design sepcifications, not in the ATX design specifications. Moreover, what the hell difference does it make, the only purpose of my suggestion was to maybe give this person a heads up to make sure as to what he was buying, and to maybe find out for myself where he is purchasing the thing.

Oklahoma Wolf

10-11-03, 08:35 PM

If it helps any, this (http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/pdf/brochure.pdf) pdf file shows 3 versions of the 475. Not sure what makes them different... too lazy to do research today after moving friends yesterday ;)

dustybyrd

10-11-03, 08:57 PM

What I said is that the 12vio and 12vdig is a WTX specification, the fact that the labeling on the ATX supply reviewed contains references to voltage sepcs normally associated with the WTX form does not change that. Why PC decided to include those references in the specs is beyond me, and is one of the reasons, in combination with the price, that I reccomended that the person buying this psu should investigate.

Listen I understand you may have some point you are trying to get at in taking a very simple suggestion, and turning it into a three page post. Liten I don't want to be rude, but I am sorry I don't have time to argue with you regarding what is or is not a ATX v. WTX standard. Follow some of the links that I cited to you and I am sure that you will see what I am talking about. WTX and ATX are design specifications, and the 12vio 12vdig are distinctions found in the WTX design sepcifications, not in the ATX design specifications. Moreover, what the hell difference does it make, the only purpose of my suggestion was to maybe give this person a heads up to make sure as to what he was buying, and to maybe find out for myself where he is purchasing the thing. [/B]

the difference it makes to me is just to get it right....that way i'll know for myself for the future as well as this user and any other user with a similar question...

i have searched and not found very much out about the WTX specifications and the 12vdig/12vio ratings...but you could be right that these 12v ratings are for WTX spec...(i did read your link)

but that still doesn't change the fact that PC power and cooling publishes these 12vdig/12vio specs on their 475 ATX psu...

here's another link to a review of this pc power and cooling 475 ATX power supply (with the 12vdig and 12vio specification ratings):

http://hardware.meetthegeeks.org/ourreview/2002/pcpowerandcooling475wattatx/

i am not trying to argue with you so much as i'm trying to learn the true answer to what the 12vio/12vdig is in general and on the pc power and cooling 475 ATX...

i have emailed pc power and cooling's tech support to find out...

i think that this power supply is a good deal at $120....and even if it was the 475 A4 or XE model with the 24 pin connector...i still think it would be worth it to invest $10 more to get the adaptor if you were willing to shell out $120 for a power supply that retails for nearly $200....

Archangel8

10-12-03, 06:45 PM

the difference it makes to me is just to get it right....that way i'll know for myself for the future as well as this user and any other user with a similar question...

Fair enough, keep us posted on what they say as I am curious. It may just be an ATX that can support dual cpus. Didn't read the full reviews because I have a lot on the burner these days, but does the review note that the ATX model has some additional connectors that are not normally found on an ATX supply? Would be interesting to note, and unless I am mistaken 18A is probably a mininmum for running dual CPUs, but you would know more about that than I considering your running two dual rigs.:)

dustybyrd

10-13-03, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by Archangel8

Fair enough, keep us posted on what they say as I am curious.

unless I am mistaken 18A is probably a mininmum for running dual CPUs, but you would know more about that than I considering your running two dual rigs.:)

pc power and cooling has responded to my question about what is the Vdig and Vio and why they are listed on the 475 ATX power supply...here it is:

"Vdig refers to power reaching the CPU. Vio refers to power reaching all of the other power connectors. In our Turbo-Cool 475 ATX power supply, the combined Dig and Vio power ratings cannot exceed a combined total of 30A. In our Turbo-Cool 510 ATX, which replaced the 475, there is no distinction of Vdig and Vio. In other words, all of the available power is available at both the motherboard and the peripheral connectors."

Best Regards,

Mick Keily
Tech Support
PC Power & Cooling, Inc.
(800) 722-6555
(760) 931-6988 FAX

so it appears that on the 475 ATX model (or the A4 or XE server models) there are separate 12v capacitors for the CPU and the remaining 12v consumption...but they changed that on the 510 models that replaced the 475 models....now "all available power is available at both"

i am checking on this as i have emailed tech support back asking whether on the 475 ATX there are separate 12v capacitors for the Vdig (CPU) and the Vio (other 12v) or if they are just separate ratings...

so for BLOB, the question is still whether the $120 psu he is purchasing is the ATX, A4, or XE model...the ATX will work as is, whereas the A4 and XE server models will require the 24 to 20 pin convertor...and 8 pin to 4 pin conversion for the CPU

oh yeah, on the 12v requirements for a dual AMD...the Asus board that i use has these power requirements listed in there manual:

400 watt minimum psu
16A minimum on the 12v line

although, i think this manual was made before the more recent 2400+xp's were made (that require more 12v power)

Archangel8

10-13-03, 04:32 PM

So mystery solved except as you stated, that he just needs to find out what model it is.

Do AMD rigs these days even use a 4pin plug, all I have left from my AMD days is my old Soyo Board with a 2100xp, and it does not need anything other than the 20 pin connector. If not then all he has to do is get the adapter you mentioned or just rewire, I think sidewinder sells a 20 pin connector for this purpose.

Nice support from PC, as it is hard enough these days to get a vendor to respond to a customer query within 24 hours, let alone a query from a person who is asking a tech question regarding specs. Also nice to know that they have eliminated the reference as it is confusing.

As an aside I surely hope that the AMD 64 goes down in price a little so I can again buy AMD, as I have always been an AMD fan since '92 but it is hard to argue in favor of AMD these days. With the Nforce3/AMD 64 combo showing a 5400 bandwidth at stock speed AMD, I can once again say cya to Intel. Hell I might just build a new rig even if the price does not come down just to show support for AMD. I would hate to see them tank, as we would then be left to the dark side for a very long time.:)

Thanks for the info, now if this guy will just tell us where he is getting the PSU, even if that means just telling us he is getting a deal from a friend I will consider this post done.:) After searching for a online vendor, the only one I came up with is Directron, @ $185, still steep to say the least.

dustybyrd

10-13-03, 06:03 PM

Do AMD rigs these days even use a 4pin plug, all I have left from my AMD days is my old Soyo Board with a 2100xp, and it does not need anything other than the 20 pin connector.

Nice support from PC, as it is hard enough these days to get a vendor to respond to a customer query within 24 hours, let alone a query from a person who is asking a tech question regarding specs. Also nice to know that they have eliminated the reference as it is confusing.

Thanks for the info, now if this guy will just tell us where he is getting the PSU, even if that means just telling us he is getting a deal from a friend I will consider this post done.:) After searching for a online vendor, the only one I came up with is Directron, @ $185, still steep to say the least. [/B]

on AMD boards...i think some have the p4 4 pin CPU connector and some don't...the mobos that don't have it are likely using the 5v line to power the cpu and the ones that do have it are obviously using the 12v line to power the cpu...

my dual Asus board does have it as well as the backup power connector to supply additional 5+3.3v power...

PC power and cooling support seems to be very fast and attentive...

i saw that one at directron too...but the best deal i have seen on the pc power and cooling supplies is actually on their website...where i have seen the 510 ATX model for $189 (expensive, but better deal than directron)...

but they have the 425 ATX on sale for $135:

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com/prices/index.htm

and these power supplies are rated as high or higher than the fortron 530 and the antec tp 550:

40A on 5v
40A on 3.3v
20A on 12v

300watts on the 3.3+5v combined...

that's a LOT of power and for $135, not bad a price with a great warranty

Archangel8

10-13-03, 06:40 PM

that's a LOT of power and for $135, not bad a price with a great warranty

Not bad at all. I am revamping my rig and I was consdiering getting the TP550 after testing one slated for a friends rig I am putting together, maybe I will buy my first PC PSU:)

dustybyrd

10-13-03, 06:46 PM

Not bad at all. I am revamping my rig and I was consdiering getting the TP550 after testing one slated for a friends rig I am putting together, maybe I will buy my first PC PSU:) [/B]

i love both the antec tp 550 and the fortron 530 that i use...

but you know that 475ATX pc power and cooling weighs 8 POUNDS!!!!

the antec tp 550 weighs just over 4 pounds and the fortron 530 weighs 5 pounds...the antec is probably lighter because the larger 92mm intake fan is more efficient, thus requiring smaller heat sinks and the 92mm fan is at the bottom of the PSU, also probably taking away from heat sink room

i don't know what the 425 ATX weighs....but i'd bet it's at least 5 pounds...

Archangel8

10-13-03, 06:55 PM

8 pounds! Well that won't be going in a LAN rig any time soon. 8 pounds, that is one damn heavy psu, could use it as a dumbell, and no wonder DK was talking hernia.

toddm27

10-13-03, 07:38 PM

Sorry it took so long replying but I have been busy. The power supply is coming from a vendor on ebay and I ended up getting the supply for $74.00 dollars- I waited too long the first time I was going to buy it now for $120.00 but he relisted it and almost no one bid against me. So there is a 200.00 supply for 74. Works for me. By the way it is an atx supply just like the one in the review.

dustybyrd

10-13-03, 07:40 PM

toddm27

10-13-03, 07:52 PM

It should give me a good boost compared to the enermax 431 I have now. All for a bargain basement price. I was nervous at first and sent the seller a email to see if he guaranteed it not to be doa and he took too long replying to me so I missed the buy it now price. I didn't mind waiting a week for that diff though. Thanks for the good info.

dustybyrd

10-13-03, 07:58 PM

Archangel8

10-13-03, 08:41 PM

man am i jealous...

me too, I was thinking ebay, and would have looked but this guy found first and would not be cool to take advantage of ifno he provided to outbid him, but I had a feeling you were holding out on us:) Damn a 200 dollar unit for 75, you cannot beat that. Good for you. Just be sure to get the volt meter out and pin the mobo conector to check out upon receipt.

BrianS

10-14-03, 08:22 AM

Originally posted by Archangel8
8 pounds! Well that won't be going in a LAN rig any time soon. 8 pounds, that is one damn heavy psu, could use it as a dumbell, and no wonder DK was talking hernia.

lol u should see my setup.....510 deluxe, 4 hdds, 2 cdroms, plus external watercooling, no wonder im looking at lans w/o byoc LOL

Deathknight

10-14-03, 08:54 AM

Originally posted by dustybyrd

i don't know what the 425 ATX weighs....but i'd bet it's at least 5 pounds...

Actually I have a 425 and it weighs in at a whooping 7 pounds. Nothing like getting a block of solid metal delivered to your house... ;)

dustybyrd

10-16-03, 05:21 PM

with regards to the the pc power and cooling 475 model----

i got a definitive answer on whether the two separate 12v lines (12vdig for CPU and 12vio for everything else) share the same capacitor or not----

email from tech support at PC Power and Cooling:

"They share the same capacitor."

so you could use a standard molex to p4 (12v 4 pin CPU connector) convertor and still have the full 30A on the 12v line with this power supply...dang that's a lot particularly considering the 5v line and 3.3v lines are rated at 40A each and 3.3+5v is rated at 300watts...

Archangel8

10-17-03, 10:11 AM

Don't have time right now to do the calculations but doesn't that put this PSU way above the 475 watt mark?

dustybyrd

10-17-03, 10:21 AM

Don't have time right now to do the calculations but doesn't that put this PSU way above the 475 watt mark?

yeah, much like the antec tp series ratings....they actually can't put out the maximum rating on all rails at the same time....but they can do the maximum rating on any one rail while the other two rails suffer a tad...

so if you pulled the maximum 30A on the 12v line then you would only have 115watts left for the 3.3+5v lines...

or if you pulled the maximum 300watts on the 3.3+5v lines then you would only have 175watts or about 15A left on the 12v line...

but remember these are pc power and cooling supplies that are likely underated---this thing weighs 7-8 pounds...more than both the fortron 530 and the antec tp 550

Archangel8

10-17-03, 12:59 PM

Ok that explains it because I was thinking wait a sec if you add that to that, then:) Ever since I tested this tp550 my mind is evaluating psus as if all the rails ran on independant circuitry.

but remember these are pc power and cooling supplies that are likely underated---this thing weighs 7-8 pounds...more than both the fortron 530 and the antec tp 550

The reason that this is probably the only PSU that I would even consider buying off ebay, that I would use to power one of my rigs.

Deathknight

10-17-03, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by Archangel8

The reason that this is probably the only PSU that I would even consider buying off ebay, that I would use to power one of my rigs.

Nod. Typically PSUs are not something I like the idea of getting 2nd hand but the PC Power & Cooling units have such an outrageous warranty and such strong build quality I think it would really be difficult to abuse them.

unreal

10-17-03, 01:09 PM

bump

dustybyrd

10-17-03, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by Archangel8
Ever since I tested this tp550 my mind is evaluating psus as if all the rails ran on independant circuitry.

yeah...the antec tp 550 has independent circuitry, meaning the power consumption/delivery of any one line shouldn't affect the stability of another line (provided you keep the consumption of any one line less than max and/or you keep the consumption of all the lines less than the maximum of what the power supply can deliver at the top end--530 watts)

also...check this review of the antec tp 550 out (very impressive psu and capacities):

http://www.antec-inc.com/info_DIYArticle_true550spec.html

but, note that even in these supplies this power supply can deliver the max on all rails--providing the max power of the supply is not exceeded:

http://www.antec-inc.com/info_DIYArticle1.html#

quoted:

"In this traditional design the +5V and +3.3V outputs share the same voltage output circuitry, and increasing the load on one decreases the remaining capacity available for the other. TruePower has dedicated output circuitry at +5V, +12V and +3.3V output, subject only to the maximum of the total power supply."

in essence if you really require the full 40A and 32A on the 5v and 3.3v lines, respectively, then the psu only has 18.5A left on the 12v line instead of the 24A's that it's maximum on that line...

or you could draw 24A's on the 12v line, but that would leave you with a max of 27.5A and 32A on the 5v and 3.3v lines, respectively (or some combination thereof)...

on the other hand the fortron 530 is rated at full power on all lines simultaneously 40A, 28A, and 18A on the 5, 3.3, 12v lines, respectively....

in any case, the antec tp 550 and the fortron 530 are both great supplies...

BrianS

10-17-03, 02:19 PM

most psu companies rate their psu's to the value of peak load, whereas pc p&c rate their's as max load( or something like that) Therefore, the maxload of a pc p&c 510w is 650watts. That 475w must be around 500 something.

I believe the antec's are rated right around what they produce, they are kickass too

Archangel8

10-17-03, 04:58 PM

in essence if you really require the full 40A and 32A on the 5v and 3.3v lines, respectively, then the psu only has 18.5A left on the 12v line instead of the 24A's that it's maximum on that line...

Thats something that I didn't realize, but I should have. I was under the erroneous assumption that each could do what they were rated without taking away from the other rails. Not that it makes too much difference, as we all know that you would really have to hook that baby up to something that draws a whole a hell of a lot of amps to get it to start bending at the knees, but I am going to do a little testing with this PSU before I hand over the rig to my bud. I want to see whether it could handle a 139 watt TEC, and still provide stable performance. Hopefully my curiosity won't cost me in real dollars. I still recall the ouch of a couple of components I lost to a stupid mistake after a sleeving project with a TTGI PSU:)

But hey if your not willing to lose it then don't abuse it, I always say:)

Archangel8

10-17-03, 05:14 PM

I just took a gander at those links you provided. Good stuff, thanks for the shortcut. I found this quote to be rather amusing:

When we design a power supply, we rate the power supply lower than the actual maximum power so that we won't overrun it. A power supply constantly running at its maximum power will have a shorter life. Like a car that can reach speeds of 180 miles per hour, the fact that it can reach that top speed does not mean you want to drive it from San Francisco to Chicago like that.

They obviously don't adhere to the oc till you bleed philosophy.:) It struck me as funny because I can remember using a similar analogy some time ago in trying to explain to someone on another message board why my max attainable FSB was not what I ran my rig at, and it is funny how you can analogize almost anything in respect to tweaking a computer to a HP Car:)

dustybyrd

10-17-03, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by Archangel8
I want to see whether it could handle a 139 watt TEC, and still provide stable performance. Hopefully my curiosity won't cost me in real dollars. I still recall the ouch of a couple of components I lost to a stupid mistake after a sleeving project with a TTGI PSU:)

But hey if your not willing to lose it then don't abuse it, I always say:) [/B]

that would be really interesting...i would really like to know the results of that

does the TEC draw power from the 12v line?

even if you did damage the supply, which i doubt you would, it should still be under warranty since you didn't overload it....

i like those quotes/analogies too...

also i like to run my computers just a touch below max speed for more stability...my dual 2.1's never crash and i love that...

i ran a 700@933 for a couple of years and it was mostly stable...but about once a week i would get an annoying crash...i was already at max voltage for the board of +10%...i would have run it a little slower, but then the pci buses would have been way out of spec...