Fundamental power supply issues

[jolphil]

Hi Folks,
As I read many threads I see that the moderators and forum members, suggest that some problems may be due to to
the power supply..Many think of it just as a box that just does it's thing but it's far more important than that..I read an article that radically
changed my mind about what the power supply does in a PC..The article is somewhat long and even a bit dated but, shows from inside the the computer as to what is needed to work under various conditions and loads,including starting and stress testing..
To me the charts are the most interesting as they show verses time what demands the power supply has to endure..
I hope you find the article interesting and enlightening as I did..
Jolphil

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cases/display/system-wattage_2.html

[Dark Mantis]

Nice one jolphil.  As you say it is a perrenial problem that we come across. People often buy some £15 or so PSU and expect it to work their nice new components without complaint.

[absic]

Yes, strange to believe but it is amazing how many people still don't consider the PSU when planning to build their new computers or even when upgrading.
For me it is the most essential part of a good PC.

[jolphil]

Hi Guys thanks for moving this where it should be..
jolphil

[bytheway_r]

This is all, to some extent, caused by increased stress on every component of a PC compared to how it was years ago. I've once seen a video showing how CPUs from different generations behaved when the heatsink was removed ( some game was on ). The earliest just stopped working while the last ones they tested died in a fire while reaching temps in the hundreds.

Nowadays a performance oriented PC requires really good airflow, aftermarket heatsink on the CPU and often GPU plus a good quality PSU to deliver all those watts without problem. It's a good thing manufacturers noticed that it may be a good idea to make their products more energy efficient lately. I mean, DX 10 gen. of GPUs reached some bizzare load consumption values. 4870x2 with it's close to 400W maximum ( over 200W average? ) was kinda scary.

[Dark Mantis]

At least they kept you warm in the winter

[Greed4Speed]

At least they kept you warm in the winter

  I know what you mean.

A psu for some is just an added expense.  A good quality psu will last through a few upgrades/builds, actualy will pay for it self in time as it allows you to overclock more and have cleaner more stable power delivery.  My advice is to buy a good quality psu then build your system around it.  I've always used Tagan and never had a problem.

[Dark Mantis]

My advice is to buy a good quality psu then build your system around it.

Couldn't agree more!