Technical question: 3-phase power for video cards?

[clickynext]

Does anyone know what 3-phase power for video cards such as this one is for?

I know what 3 phase power is, in the context of AC power transmission, but with DC devices like stuff inside computers, what's the point of 3-phase power? Just a fancy way of saying "we've used more voltage regulators"?

 

[LOUISSSSS]

what?

pretty sure that video card only needs 1 x 6pin pci-e power cord and a decent psu

 

[Sylvanas]

I was under the impression that it works the same way that power is supplied to motherboards through 'phases' (e.g. some motherboards quote 4, 8 and 12 'phases' which helps nullify the effects of Vdroop when raising voltages on certain components as the current is 'cleaned' before it reaches the CPU/MCH etc.) so going by that, more phases could provide a more stable supply of power to the GPU which *might* help improve overclocking.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
I was under the impression that it works the same way that power is supplied to motherboards through 'phases' (e.g. some motherboards quote 4, 8 and 12 'phases' which helps nullify the effects of Vdroop when raising voltages on certain components as the current is 'cleaned' before it reaches the CPU/MCH etc.) so going by that, more phases could provide a more stable supply of power to the GPU which *might* help improve overclocking.

Think hes on to something.

To the OP. Why is it used? To use power more effectively! as simple as that.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: Cookie Monster

Originally posted by: Sylvanas
I was under the impression that it works the same way that power is supplied to motherboards through 'phases' (e.g. some motherboards quote 4, 8 and 12 'phases' which helps nullify the effects of Vdroop when raising voltages on certain components as the current is 'cleaned' before it reaches the CPU/MCH etc.) so going by that, more phases could provide a more stable supply of power to the GPU which *might* help improve overclocking.

Think hes on to something.

To the OP. Why is it used? To use power more effectively! as simple as that.

What are the power phases on motherboard power circuits referring to, and how does it reduce vdroop?

 

[Nanobaud]

The DC-to-DC converters / voltage regulation modules (i.e. 12V -> processor voltage) for handling fairly high currents (i.e. CPU or GPU supplies) switch the current on and off across multiple transistors in parallel. The phase of this switching signal is varied among these transistors to reduce ripple amplitude of the total current flow. If they were all switching at the same phase (like the legendary soldiers marching on a bridge), larger capacitors (and/or inductors) would be required to keep the ripple in spec. The benefit is usually used to reduce the cost of manufacturing the board, less so to increase the performance - but that wouldn't stop the marketing department from implying it is a performance feature.

 

[clickynext]

Originally posted by: Nanobaud
The DC-to-DC converters / voltage regulation modules (i.e. 12V -> processor voltage) for handling fairly high currents (i.e. CPU or GPU supplies) switch the current on and off across multiple transistors in parallel. The phase of this switching signal is varied among these transistors to reduce ripple amplitude of the total current flow. If they were all switching at the same phase (like the legendary soldiers marching on a bridge), larger capacitors (and/or inductors) would be required to keep the ripple in spec. The benefit is usually used to reduce the cost of manufacturing the board, less so to increase the performance - but that wouldn't stop the marketing department from implying it is a performance feature.

ah, that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the explanation.