power supply question

[rick_323]

I am currently using a msi KT4V series mother board which does not have the extra 4 port plugin in for the 12 volt source. my power supply is supplied with the main 20 pin connector along with the extra 4 pin 12 volt connection.. my question is by my motherboard not having the port for this extra 12 volt plug in from the PSU am I really getting the full 350 watts from the power supply since I am not utilizing the 12 volt connection from the psu ??? thanks...

 

[Section8]

Not sure what you’re getting at? Your PSU will only use the amount of power you ask from it. If you have a 500 watt PSU you may only be using 300 watts of the power. Here maybe this will help you. This is a power consumption calculator that tells you roughly how much power your system requires.

http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/

 

[Mr.Radar]

I am currently using a msi KT4V series mother board which does not have the extra 4 port plugin in for the 12 volt source. my power supply is supplied with the main 20 pin connector along with the extra 4 pin 12 volt connection.. my question is by my motherboard not having the port for this extra 12 volt plug in from the PSU am I really getting the full 350 watts from the power supply since I am not utilizing the 12 volt connection from the psu ??? thanks...

Yes. The extra 4 pin connector is to suppliment the +12 rail lines on motherboards that use the +12 line for the CPU so that the single +12 line on the regular ATX connector isn't overloaded. Most older ones don't use the +12 line for the CPU so they don't have a square connector.

 

[rick_323]

so does tis mean I am getting my full 350 watts from my psu or am I getting a lower wattage.. I found this on antec website which is the specs on the psu supply that came with my case and has me wondering. It says down below about different watt supplys with and without the 12 volt rail connector...and also is there a way I can check and see what my actuall wattage out put is from my supply a safe way that is...lol.. thanks guys..



Model: SL350 / SmartBlue350
FEATURES

Maximum Power
350W

Transient Response
+5V,+12V outputs return to within 5% in less than 1ms for 20% load change.

P. G. Signal
100-500ms

Over Voltage Protection
recycle AC to reset
+5V trip point < +6.5V
+3.3V trip point < +4.1V
+12V trip point < +15.6

Overload Protection
Latching Protection
+5V @ < 50A
+3.3V @ < 48A
+12V @ < 21A

Leakage Current
<3.5mA @ 240VAC


OUTPUT



+5V

-5V

+12V

-12V

+3.3V
+5V
SB

Max. Load
35A*
0.5A
16A
0.8A
28A*
2.0A

Min. Load
1.5A
0A
0.8A
0A
0.5A
0A

Load Reg.
± 5%
± 10%
± 5%
± 10%
± 5%
± 5%

Rippe
V(p-p)
50mV
100mV
120mV
120mV
50mV
50mV




this area here is what has me concerned...


* +5V and +3.3V combined output: 230Watts max.
* +5V, +3.3V and +12V combined output: 330Watts max






ENVIRONMENTAL

Operating Temp.
10 ºC to 50 ºC

Operating Alt.
Sea Level-10,000 ft

Non-Operating
Vibration
Operating: 10-300 Hz, 0.5G, 3 axes, 1hr ea. axis
Non-operating: 10-300 Hz, 2.0G, 3 axes, 1hr. ea axis

MTBF
50,000 hrs. @ 25ºC

Weight
5 lbs.

Approvals UL, TUV, CB, FCC CLASS B, NEMKO

 

[Mr.Radar]

Yes, you're getting the full 350 watts without the extra square connector. All those wires go back to the same source so it isn't like only part of the PSU is being used.