Confusion: EPA vs NOT

[Virgorising]

Hi.

My new/used system arrived, and seeing the reality is generating many questions.

(This eBay vendor does not deal primarily with computers, so he could not answer my initial questions, one of which was re the PSU, but the deal was so good I went ahead and bid and got the puppy.)

PSU options for this system from the factory were two: lower wattage tho energy compliant, or higher wattage (50 w higher) and not energy compliant.

Out of ignorance, I assumed the higher wattage unit was better. When I looked, there was the lower wattage unit in the box. I felt SAD.

But then, I delved on the interwebs.....perused the service manual & tech guide I had already downloaded, and, seeing the numbers, suddenly it struck me, that the lower wattage EC unit may be BETTER. Tho just as possible: I HAVE FINALLY LOST WHAT WAS LEFT OF MY LITTLE MIND.

The maximum heat dissipation for the not EPA unit is TWO THIRDS HIGHER than for the one I have. Seriously? 50 Ws lower and Energy Compliant make for that difference? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? And....AT WHAT EXPENSE??????

Many thanks for any and all info on this.

 

[ElFenix]

some PSUs aren't as efficient as others

 

[Virgorising]

some PSUs aren't as efficient as others

Could you please be a bit less cryptic, Dark Knight? Perhaps, return to being philanthropic Bruce Wayne just for a moment?

I get that, what you said. My question is, does this Energy Efficient PSU, power the system as well as the 50 higher watt not energy efficient alternative?

Or, is it just energy efficient and lame?

I did just see, on the Mfg's site, they charge more more for the energy efficient PSUs in new systems.

Let me put it this way: If you made yr Batmobile more energy efficient, would it IMPACT PERFORMANCE?

 

[pandemonium]

50W will almost certainly not impact performance on a system. The more important aspect will be the efficiency of the PSU and the quality of the capacitors.

Without specifics of which models you're looking at, specific answers can't be given.

 

[Virgorising]

50W will almost certainly not impact performance on a system. The more important aspect will be the efficiency of the PSU and the quality of the capacitors.

Without specifics of which models you're looking at, specific answers can't be given.

Hi, pandemonium,

Thanks much for this. Even so sleepless I can hardly sit up, what you shared above is logical, forget, important.

Understand, as per my initial post, I am looking (literally) at the unit in the system I bought on eBay which arrived today, not shopping for one at the moment.

Boy, am I learning stuff!

 

[Torn Mind]

It is a fallacy that wattage is an indicator of "betterness" because wattage is simply a measure of power, which is a rate of energy transfer or conversion. When it comes to wattage, "less than or equal to max ability that component to handle wattage" means you are safe. Great than the max ability of the component to handle that wattage means something is going to wind up toast. As an example, both a 50 ft. 18 gauge and 12 gauge wire can handle an incandescent bulb, but the 18 gauge wire is going to heat up when trying to power a 9 amp lawn mower because the resistance in the wire is too great.

The components that limit maximum wattage are not the same components that provide other features the PSU has. Typically, it is the MOSFETs in the secondary that are the limiting factor as to how much wattage the PSU can output.

Indeed, wattage itself is only a very general guide to the ability of the PSU to output electricity; you must look at the volts and amps of each rail and the max combined wattages of various rails if you want to know how much the PSU is capable of delivering.

Efficiency is simply a measure of how much alternating current power is converted into DC power(the lost power is dissipated as heat). Circuit design and circuit components can affect efficiency

 

[Virgorising]

It is a fallacy that wattage is an indicator of "betterness" because wattage is simply a measure of power, which is a rate of energy transfer or conversion. When it comes to wattage, "less than or equal to max ability that component to handle wattage" means you are safe. Great than the max ability of the component to handle that wattage means something is going to wind up toast. As an example, both a 50 ft. 18 gauge and 12 gauge wire can handle an incandescent bulb, but the 18 gauge wire is going to heat up when trying to power a 9 amp lawn mower because the resistance in the wire is too great.

The components that limit maximum wattage are not the same components that provide other features the PSU has. Typically, it is the MOSFETs in the secondary that are the limiting factor as to how much wattage the PSU can output.

Indeed, wattage itself is only a very general guide to the ability of the PSU to output electricity; you must look at the volts and amps of each rail and the max combined wattages of various rails if you want to know how much the PSU is capable of delivering.

Efficiency is simply a measure of how much alternating current power is converted into DC power(the lost power is dissipated as heat). Circuit design and circuit components can affect efficiency

Ladies & Gentlemen, I believe, we have.....a WINNAH!:thumbsup:

Now above, are MY KINDA DATA. I LOVE these data!:biggrin:

Thank you! And, if your mind is "torn'.....it simply owes to it is a relentlessly detail oriented one. Count that as a blessing.

My initial disgust with this PSU when I saw it is now morphing into respect, now that I own your fallacy-mitigating data and I get what it actually is!

I am sending you either my imaginary Ferrari F-40 or my imaginary 67 big block, 427 tri power Vette. Both are mint. And both define energy INEFFICIENCY. With imaginary vehicles, it doesn't matter.

When you receive the new vehicle, I hope you will use it as yr new avatar.()