Can I split one psu's mb connector to 3 computers?

[Jimmah]

In theory it should work, as far as my understanding of electronics and power supplies go at least. I've collected a few older cpus and motherboards (PIII 600 & 733 with mb and 128mb ram each, as well as a Sempron 3000 skt 754 and Asus mb - needs ram though) and I would like to use them in a lab I'm building (teaching myself things to help get experience) as well as general amusement.

None would be doing super intensive work like gaming, and there wouldn't be more than 4 hdd's at most (2 in a RAID 1, rest for whatever) so I don't foresee massive amounts of drain, this is why I'd rather use one PSU to power them all instead of many.

I have an old Enermax or something 430w psu (using it to type this) which hasn't hiccuped once, thinking it would be the perfect candidate for such an endeavor. I've got 2 extra wire sets from other projects so that's not an issue.

Think it will work? By work I mean not spaz out under minor load (most anything would be used for is file storage, print server and DHCP - maybe some other things later I'm not sure yet). Overkill using 3 computer of course, but entertaining

Thanks for any replies and suggestions

 

[mpilchfamily]

It can be done but i wouldn't run more then 2 systems off that old PSU. Chances are more then 2 systems would strain the 3.3v and 5v rails too much. PSUs are not designed to have very heavy loads on those rails. An older PSU like an ATX 1.0 PSU may be a bit better since there is more power focuses on the smaller rails. Newer PSUs focus most of the power to the 12V rails. You'll have to make your own custom cable to get it working though.

 

[Jimmah]

Making the cable is no problem, I've got spares cut from old broken supplies that I could use. Your logic about running only 2 systems I agree with after thinking about it, I'll just use the P3 733 and sempron on it and get/make something to supply the smaller unit since its ITX sized anyways.