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Need help

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knght990

Member
How do i read the label on the side of a power supply?
I would like to know what wires are connected to what rails and the maximum loads.
I realize this question is basic, but i just don't have a clue.
I'm trying to find a PSU/Case for a new build and would like to do it right this time.
 
Most PSU labels don't tell you which wire goes to which rail. The only one I can think of off the top of my head are the FSP Epsilon based units. Some reviewers like Paul Johnson at HardOCP will investigate what wire goes where, so it you see a PSU you like, head over to HardOCP and see if they review it.
 
So, then how do you tell which leads on a psu can be used to chain together multiple hard drives or gpus etc?

In the past ive just done as many as i could get connectors on and seemed within reason, but i suspect this is what casued a antec sp-500 i had to fail.
 
Usually they're labeled. Like a solid yellow wire vs. a yellow wire with a black stripe.

But if you had overloaded a rail on an Antec SP-500, that wouldn't "cause it to fail". If you overload a rail, the PSU simply shuts down. And no one rail is going to be anywhere near the overall capability of a PSU's +12V output.

Read this: http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2167846&enterthread=y
 
Originally posted by: knght990
How do i read the label on the side of a power supply?
I would like to know what wires are connected to what rails and the maximum loads.
I realize this question is basic, but i just don't have a clue.
I'm trying to find a PSU/Case for a new build and would like to do it right this time.
Click to expand...

What do you tell a non-English speaking person on how to read an English poem?

Originally posted by: knght990
So, then how do you tell which leads on a psu can be used to chain together multiple hard drives or gpus etc?

In the past ive just done as many as i could get connectors on and seemed within reason, but i suspect this is what casued a antec sp-500 i had to fail.
Click to expand...

It is best not ever do that, you can daisy chain as many connectors as possible on a 12V output connection only if the PSU is a true 12V multi-rail PSU.

99.99999% of consumer PSUs are 12V single-rail PSUs. For 12V single-rail PSUs, you need to distribute your workloads evenly across all 12V connections.
 
What do you tell a non-English speaking person on how to read an English poem?
Click to expand...

I give them a TOFEL. If they pass then, i would explain it to them same i do any other english speaking person. If they fail i either teach them english or translate it into their native language.

I am disapointed that you feel anyone who dosent possess the capability of reading an electrical diagram is incapable of learning how to read one.

 
Originally posted by: knght990

I give them a TOFEL. If they pass then, i would explain it to them same i do any other english speaking person. If they fail i either teach them english or translate it into their native language.
Click to expand...

I can certainly translate, I can't give them English skill which they needed to do that on their own.

Originally posted by: knght990

I am disapointed that you feel anyone who dosent possess the capability of reading an electrical diagram is incapable of learning how to read one.
Click to expand...

I've met 20+ yrs PSU experts who couldn't. I can't give you what 20+ yrs PSU experts couldn't do on their own.
 
Originally posted by: beray
I can certainly translate, I can't give them English skill which they needed to do that on their own.

I've met 20+ yrs PSU experts who couldn't. I can't give you what 20+ yrs PSU experts couldn't do on their own.
Click to expand...

Both your grammar and your attitude are horrible and unhelpful.


I would add to jonnyGURU's post that power supply manuals (when they exist) sometimes provide information on how the rails are configured.
 
Originally posted by: Aluvus
Both your grammar and your attitude are horrible and unhelpful.
Click to expand...

And you have the manner of a dog. Your doggy manner were not perfect nor helpful.



Either help or don't help. That means post something that will help the OP with his problem. If you can't or won't, then don't post anything and stay out of the thread.


esquared
Anandtech Senior Moderator
 
I think i got it figured out.

I read a few websites including jonnhyguru and another ill post later that seemed pretty complete.

I broke it down to these things:
When buying a PSU for a modern computer you should look for:

1) 12v rail that has a total amps value 45 or greater (im running SLI)
 
I think i got it figured out.

I read a few websites including jonnhyguru and another ill post later that seemed pretty complete.

I broke it down to these things:
When buying a PSU for a modern computer you should look for:

1) 12v rail that has a total amps value 45 or greater (im running SLI)
 
I think i got it figured out.

I read a few websites including jonnhyguru and another ill post later that seemed pretty complete.

I broke it down to these things:
When buying a PSU for a modern computer you should look for:

1) 12v rail that has a total amps value 45 or greater (im running SLI)
to determine this you need to know the total voltage of all the 12v rails (which is sometimes given on the side label), then devide it by 12 to determine the total number of amps available.

2) Look PSUs that include the information you desire to know and skip the rest.


Other stuff i've learned.

3) Not exceeding the limit of a rail (where you could find items attachd to the rail are not working or not responding in a normal manner) is a bit more difficult. Psu mfgs don't supply this information usually. I ignored any PSU that didnt have this information. If buyers demand the info, then mfgs will provide it. Supply and demand and all that.

4) to determine which conenctors are 12v or 5 or 3.3 is easier. They have a standard color coding. Yellow wires are 12v.



If you think i've missed anything, let me know.
Thanks
 
Originally posted by: knght990
If you think i've missed anything, let me know.
Click to expand...

Whether the unit is rated continuous or peak, and at which temperature.

For instance, a 500W unit rated at 25ºC might really put out only 300W at normal operating temperatures (I'm just pulling numbers out of thin air).
 
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