Power supply load question

[daniel1113]

Hey guys,

Currently, I run all four of my case fans using the "fan only" connectors on my Antec TruePower 550 power supply. However, I would like to switch them over onto a normal molex connector to improve my case cooling. I am using all of my molexes to power my 4 hard drives, 2 DVD/CD drives, SB Audigy 2 Platinum eX, and Radeon 9800 Pro. I know I have a powerful power supply (550 watts), but I have a power-hungry system as well. Do you think it would be safe to switch my fans over, or are there some precautions I should take? Thanks.

 

[kamper]

There are a million little calculators out there that will tell you how much power you need for a given system. Tyring googling them or searching this forum, there will be lots of links.

Offhand though I can't see that you having any problems. 550 is a schitload of power and a fan consumes what? like 1-2W max? any increase brought on by having them run full speed couldn't really make a difference

 

[KDKPSJ]

kamper (or others), could you guys provide the link to calculator? I have found some, but they are too old. (I don't need P3 600MHz!)

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: daniel1113
Hey guys,

Currently, I run all four of my case fans using the "fan only" connectors on my Antec TruePower 550 power supply. However, I would like to switch them over onto a normal molex connector to improve my case cooling. I am using all of my molexes to power my 4 hard drives, 2 DVD/CD drives, SB Audigy 2 Platinum eX, and Radeon 9800 Pro. I know I have a powerful power supply (550 watts), but I have a power-hungry system as well. Do you think it would be safe to switch my fans over, or are there some precautions I should take? Thanks.

I've got a 420W PSU in this system, and a 430W Truepower in this one. They're both fairly loaded systems. Your 550 will have no problem with a few extra fans. You could probably go dual-CPU, and double the number of hard drives, and still be fine.

 

[jar5tyle]

550 watt Antec TruePower? Plenty!

Athough, yes you need a lot of power (4 HD's and such)
I would still almost think that's overkill

 

[soja]

Why don't you watch your voltage lines and see if its affected by the switch?