Power supply power usage

[Reel]

I assume that if you have a power supply that can supply more power than you are using it will only draw the needed amount from the wall rather than its capacity. Is this correct?

 

[dtboos]

It will dish out as much power as is needed by what you have connected to it.

A 520watt PSU can power up to 520watts worth of gear. If you have only 450watts of stuff connected to it, thats how much it will provide.

 

[Reel]

I mean in the sense of drawing from the wall though. It will not draw to capacity but only the amount it needs to supply, right?

 

[dtboos]

ahh....It draws only how much power it needs to supply your computer, and converts it into DC current. So the less it is powering, the less electricity it uses.

Here's a good article for you 🙂
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/power-supply.htm

*edit........was confusing to even myself, so re-wrote it*

 

[Reel]

Thanks for the answer!