How to Make Sure
You Get the Right Type of PSU to Match Your Needs
Power supply
units (PSUs) are often overlooked when building a desktop computer system. A
poor quality power supply can greatly reduce the life span of a good system or
cause instability. A high quality one can also help reduce the noise or heat
generated within a computer system. Whether you are buying one for a new
computer or replacing a old unit, here are some tips for purchasing a desktop
PC power supply.
Avoid Power Supplies Under $30
Most power
supplies that are priced below $30 generally do not meet the power requirements
of the latest processors. To make matters worse, the components used in them
are of inferior quality and more likely to fail over time. While they may power
the computer system, inconsistencies in the power to the components will tend
to cause instability and damage to the computer over time. Because of this, I
generally do not recommend they extremely low cost power supplies.
ATX12V Compliant
Developments in
processors, the PCI Express bus and graphics cards have all increased the
amount of power required to operate them. To help provide this extra power, the
ATX12V standard was developed. The problem is that it has been revised over
time with various different power supply connectors to meet the necessary
specifications. Make sure that it comes with the proper main power leads that
you need for your motherboard.
One way you can
tell whether a power supplies is compliant with your computer components is to
check the type of power connectors are supplied to the motherboard. If it is
missing one of the connectors your motherboard needs, it probably does not
support the proper ATX12V standard.
Knowing the Wattage Ratings
Wattage ratings
on power supplies can be deceptive as this is the total combined wattage of all
the voltage lines and generally under peak rather than sustained loads. With
the increased demands by components, the total required output particularly for
the +12V line has become increasingly important especially for those that are
using dedicated graphics cards. Ideally a power supply should have at least 18A
on the +12V line(s). The actual load you need will vary depending upon your
components. If you are not planning on using a graphics card, a 300 Watt power
supply is probably sufficient but if you are running one or more graphics
cards, be sure to check out the manufacturer's recommended PSU wattage.
Having the Right Type and Number of Connectors
There are a
variety of different power connectors that come off a power supply. Some of the
different connectors include 20/24-pin power, 4-pin ATX12V, 4-pin Molex,
floppy, SATA, 6-pin PCI-Express graphics and 8-pin PCI-Express graphics. Take
stock of what power connectors your PC components require to ensure you get a
power supply with the appropriate connectors. Even if it might lack some
connectors off the power supply, check what cable adapters the power supply may
include to mitigate the problem.
One other thing
to consider is modular cables. Higher wattage power supplies tend to have a
large number of cables running off of them. If you have limited space within
your case, this may cause issues as you have to bundle the cables up. A modular
power supply offers power cables that can be attached only if you need them.
This helps reduce cable clutter which can restrict airflow and make it
difficult to work within a computer.
Physical Size
Most people
don't give much consideration to the actual size of the power supply. After
all, are they not all a standard size? While they are general guidelines for
the size of the units, they actually can vary a good deal and make it difficult
to git within your computer case.
For instance,
higher wattage power supplies tend to be a bit longer to hold the additional
power components they need. This may cause issues with cable routing or even
fitting in other internal components. Finally, if you are using a small form
factor case, it may require a specialized power supply such as SFX rather than
ATX.
Low or No Noise
Power supplies
generate a lot of noise from fans used to keep them from overheating. If you
don't want a lot of noise, there are a number of options available. The best
choice is for a unit that either uses larger fans that move more air through
the unit at slower speeds or to get one with temperature controlled fans.
Another option is fanless or silent power supplies that generate no noise but these
do have their own drawbacks.
Power Efficiency
Power supplies
convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels used by the PC. During this
conversion, some power is lost as heat. The efficiency level of the PC
determines how much extra power must be put into the power supply to run the
PC. By getting a more efficient power supply, you end up saving money through
the use of less overall electricity. Look for a unit that has the 80Plus logo
showing that it has passed certification. Just be warned that some of the
highest efficiency power supplies may cost so much more that the power savings
does not match their increased cost.
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