If the user needs a reliable, fault-tolerant system, it is necessary to use a high-quality IP, which allows even weak motherboards, processors and memory to work stably, while using a cheap power source makes first-class devices unstable.
ATX Power Supply Selection
When assembling a new computer or updating a PC, many users first of all choose components such as a processor and a graphics card, and often ignore the power supply (IP) as not a very important element, but in vain, because the source is the heart of the PC and you need to choose it take it very seriously.
There are many different PC power supplies on the market with rated power from 350 to 1000 watts. Small-sized IP costs a lot of money. Office and multimedia computers can often handle simple 350-watt power supplies, and most gaming PCs use power supplies from 500 to 600 watts. Only in absolutely exceptional situations, for example, when using several high-performance graphics cards, 800 W or even 1000 W power supplies are needed.
Important aspects of choosing a power source are:
- Interchangeability of IP.
- Efficiency.
- Rated power.
- ATX block temperature.
- Load adjustment.
- Noise level.
- Power connectors
Power Source Interchangeability
The most important characteristic of an IP is its form factor, which determines the physical dimensions, mounting holes, physical types of connectors and outputs to ensure not only the physical conformity of the unit, but also the correct types of power connectors for the motherboard and peripheral devices.
All modern IP form factors are based on the original ATX form factor published by Intel in 1995. In 2000, to meet the requirements of the new Pentium 4 + 12V processors, Intel added a new 12V power connector to the ATX specification and renamed the specification to ATX12V. Since then, every time Intel updated the IP specification or created a new one, this required a +12 V connector.
All aspects of various form factors, including physical dimensions, mounting holes and cable connectors, are strictly standardized, which means that they can be chosen from a variety of standard IPs for repair or modernization of most systems of even older models.
Source performance
This indicator is determined by the ratio of output power to input power in percent. For example, an IP that produces 350 watts of output requires 500 watts of input, and is 70% efficient. In general, a good IP has this indicator from 70% to 80%, although the effectiveness depends on how much the power supply is loaded. In other words, the ATX 500 W power supply actually requires 700 W input 70% of the time and 0 W in 30% downtime.
Rated power of sources
This is the power that the power supply can supply. It is mainly useful for general comparison of PIs. What really matters is the individual current strength consumed at different voltages, and they vary significantly between the PIs. The power factor is determined by dividing the true power (W) by the apparent power (volt x amperes or VA).
Standard power supplies have power factors ranging from 0.70 to 0.80, with the best devices approaching 0.99. Some new sources use passive or active power factor correction (PFC), which can increase the power factor to a range of 0.95 to 0.99, reducing peak current and harmonic current.
ATX unit temperature
Assessing power does not make sense if it is not tied to temperature. As the temperature increases, the output power of the PI decreases. The operating temperature of a PC is usually 40 ° C, and most power supplies are rated at only 25 ° C.
This may seem insignificant, but a 450 W power supply at a standard temperature of 25 ° C with an increase to 40 ° C produces a power of only 300 W, which means that a power supply unit that nominally meets the requirements of the system may fail at elevated temperatures.
Load adjustment
In fact, not a single IP is ideal, but expensive power supplies are much closer to it than cheap ones. Processors, memory, and other system components are designed to operate with a clean, stable DC voltage. Any deviation from this can reduce system stability and shorten component life.
Load regulation expresses the ability of the power supply to provide rated output power at each voltage, since the load varies from maximum to minimum. A high-quality power supply regulates the voltage at the critical voltage lines + 3.3 V, + 5 V and + 12 V with an accuracy of 1%, with 5% regulation at less critical values of 5 and 12 V.
An excellent transmitter can regulate voltage at all critical levels with an accuracy of 3%. A mid-range source can regulate voltage at all critical levels up to 5%. Inexpensive can provide 10% or more on any bus, which is unacceptable.
Noise level
The IP fan is one of the main sources of noise on most PCs. If the goal is to reduce system noise, it is important to choose the right power source. Reduced noise models such as Antec TruePower 2.0 and SmartPower 2.0, Enermax NoiseTaker, Nexus NX, Silenter for PC and cooling, Seasonic SS and Zalman ZM are designed to minimize fan noise and can be the basis of a system that is almost inaudible in a quiet room .
Silent IPs, such as the Antec Phantom 350 and Silverstone ST30NF, generally have no fans and are almost completely silent (there may be a slight buzz from electrical components). From a practical point of view, the use of a fanless power source is extremely undesirable. They are quite expensive compared to power supplies with reduced noise.
The use of modules with a reduced noise level is quite enough, since any noise that they create is much less than the noise of the case fans, processor coolers and the noise of rotation of the hard disk.
Power connectors
In the past few years, there have been some significant changes in power supplies that directly or indirectly caused an increase in energy consumption and a change in voltages used by modern processors and other system components. When a user replaces a power supply in an older system, it is important to understand the differences between the old IP and current devices.
For 25 years, each PC power supply has been equipped with standard Molex (hard disk) and Berg (floppy drive) power connectors, which are used to power drives and similar peripherals. Where they differ from each other, the types of connectors that are used to provide power to the motherboard itself are used. The initial ATX specification identified a 20-pin ATX power connector.
This connector can be used by all ATX power supplies and ATX12V power supplies. Today, common motherboards connect to the power source through either a 24-pin ATX connector or another 12 V cable (ATX12V). The latter provides power for the processor and has been introduced with four pins. For particularly power-hungry processors or overclockers, the eight-pole EPS12V connector, originally designed for servers, is used.
For modern boards and power supplies, you should always set 24er. Under no circumstances should you insert 6- or 8-pin PCIe slots into the motherboard. This leads to a short circuit and permanent damage, since they are designed for video cards and are polarized differently.
Power calculator
As you can see, the choice of a power supply is not an easy process, sometimes newcomers can not cope with it, so many of them turn to the Internet service - a power calculator. For the ATX power supply, due to the TDP values for the CPU and the video card, as well as the default values for other components, you can get a quite acceptable calculation of energy consumption and thus determine the correct PC power.
It should be noted that the power calculator takes into account the minimum power required by the system. In some cases, for example, high-end graphics cards, SLI or Crossfire, it is recommended that users buy higher power than recommendations to avoid potential problems. The basic data needed to calculate the calculator:
- Motherboard socket.
- The manufacturer of the video card chip.
- Built-in components of RAM modules.
- SSD hard drive.
- Fan.
- Optical PCI Card Drives.
Block AURUM S series
This is a brand new ATX FSP power supply, consisting of high quality components and also with several degrees of protection. The AURUM S Series complies with 80 PLUS Gold, certified for more than 90% energy efficiency, which requires regulations regarding standby power consumption of less than 0.5 watts. With FSP MIA ICTM technology, integrated PWM AURUM S Series, ZCS PFC, Post SR and Double-Circuited OVP and enhanced PCB structural density.
In addition, the unique airflow technology provides more efficient cooling with less noise. Using special arrow holes, the design of the AURUM S housing optimized airflow inside the unit and also provides an attractive appearance. AURUM S Series offers modifications: 400-700 watts. ATX FSP's proprietary proprietary power supply designs provide maximum performance and maximum system protection:
- Constant Hold up continuously adjusts to the output load for best performance;
- PFC Double Circuit Protection (OVP) provides maximum capacitor protection;
- Zero-Current Switch on the PFC provides the minimum energy spent on switching, low electromagnetic interference and low ripple noise contribute to high efficiency.
Thermaltake Smart 80 White Power Supply
The ATX Thermaltake power supply includes various high-quality components, Smart Series models from 500 W to 700 W, saves energy due to its high efficiency of up to 86% and accommodates any major assembly with the highest demands. The integrated intelligent cooling fan provides superior airflow with exceptionally low noise levels.
In addition, the Single 12V design provides continuous use with stable and reliable performance. 120mm ultra quiet fan. 80 Plus Titanium, 100% Japanese capacitors and a 32-bit integrated digital microcontroller. Fully modular, individually laid cables. DPS-g software for control and monitoring from a PC or mobile device. Intelligent power management provides exceptional protection.
GPS-1000C unit. POWER SMART Series
ATX Chieftec power supply with eight brand new ATX 2.3, full range (110V ~ 240V) and 80plus. GOLD certified power supplies of the well-known and specialized POWER SMART series with rated power from 450 W to 1450 W GOLD. Supporting Intel Haswell technology, intelligent cable management with state-of-the-art technology as well as a large number of connectors supports all power-intensive components, such as multiple GPUs, thereby optimizing the maximum possible power consumption.
Aerocool Project7 P7-P650W 650W 80 PLUS
ATX Aerocool power supply - platinum modular RGB - ATX form factor - 3 LED modes with P7-S1 and P7-H1, compatible with ASUS Aura. AER-P7-P650W - 7 years warranty. Access to 16.8 million colors and three LED modes with P7-S1 (Project7-Software1), the RGB fan on the PSU can be controlled via the P7-Hub (P7-H1) and the motherboard, including ASUS Aura, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion and MSI Mystic Light Sync, 115 V. Efficiency 80 PLUS. Platinum certified. Under normal load, the efficiency is 92% at 115 VAC and 94% at 230 VAC.
Japanese capacitors provide uncompromising performance and reliability. Designed for efficient operation even at air temperatures of 50 ° C. Cable connections between components, daughterboards, and the main circuit board provide a cleaner, more robust Etched Circuit Design. This improves reliability, airflow and overall communication latency, which provides better cooling and much quieter operation.
Convert PC Power Supplies
Converting ATXs into an adjustable power supply is usually done to fit modern PCs and have reliable and safe modes of operation of the equipment during overvoltage and short circuit protection.
Simplified flowchart. 115 V AC is converted to direct current, which is supplied to the power modulator. PCM (pulse-modulated) signal converts direct current with higher frequencies (about 30 kHz). High frequency is reduced for low voltage, rectified and filtered to 5 V, 12 V, etc. DC. The 5 V and possibly 12 V output, compared to the reference, is used to control the generator and provide voltage control feedback. The reconstruction unit must have a rated power of 12 V at least 15 A and preferably up to 400 W.
To complete the alteration of the ATX power supply, you will need:
- SPST switch for on-off or barrier strip;
- Light-emitting diode;
- resistors, including 10 Ohm 10 W 450 microfarad 15 V;
- electrolytic plastic legs for the housing.
Modification Procedure:
- Initial preparation. Disconnect the cables and remove power from the old PC. Then cut the cables near the PC connectors, leaving a couple of connectors to use them for other purposes. Check power supply. Before opening the case, check the operation of the PS. Start by identifying the various output wires. Connect a 10-watt load to the + 5V (red) terminal. Connect the PS_on and the ground wire together. Connect a voltmeter to the 5V wiring. Insert power and make sure that the fan will work and that the voltmeter should read 5V. Also check the output is 12 V.
- Open housing. Never operate the power source while it is connected, and check the high voltage capacitors to ensure that they are discharged. If in doubt, discharge the resistor to 100 ohms and measure the voltage.
- Remove the circuit board from the chassis, as well as the power connector. The fan can also be removed or disconnected. PS can be run safely without a fan for low power tests. Then disconnect or cut off the unnecessary wires: all wires 3.3 V, 5 V, with the exception of one for the workload. -5V and -12V. Changing the feedback circuit, changing the voltage on the +12 V line. Examine the lower part of the printed circuit board.
- The process of remaking ATX computer power supplies is to add some resistance to this line to make the power boost the voltage.
The sad truth is that it is almost impossible to buy a computer with a first-class IP. Computer manufacturers save a penny literally on everything. Good power sources do not win marketing requests, so few manufacturers are willing to spend from $ 30 to $ 75 for the best power source. For their premium models, first-tier manufacturers typically use what we call mid-range power supplies. The ATX computer power supply with a rated PC stuffing is sometimes not able to develop the declared parameters, and users themselves have to think about reliable power supplies.