I Need Space. help

[sapient]

Howdy Folks,

I recently built a file server and I'm already feeling the pinch of further expansion as I push all my crap "I mean data" over to it and watch the disk space dissapear. I would like to fab an enclosure for 4 new disks but I dont know how to power them. Is there something out there that will enable me to connect another power supply to my system? (PCI card or guide in english/American power terms) I know very little about electrical wireing and would like to stear clear of mutilating a nice new 550w Antec PSU.
How do big servers handle 12+ disks?


Tyan Thunder K8W S2885
2x 512 Corsair 400Mhz ECC
1x Antec True550 EPS12V 550W PSU
1x 3Ware 8506-8 SATA controler
4x WD2500JD
1x boot drive

[enyceexdanny]

You can use a molex y-splitter.

[Ice Czar]

takaman's Power Supply Calculator rev0.61x (http://takaman.jp/psu_calc.html?english)
Choosing the right Power Supply (http://www.firingsquad.com/guides/power_supply/)

multiple and Redundant
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=736854

First Id verify you actually need more power
then in truth Id probably just upgrade to a PC Power and Cooling 510watt
(which would probably cover anything your currently lacking and is approved for that board)

If for some reson you require more (on a given rail)
Id say look into a larger capacity Zippy Emac EPS12V N+1 redundant

I run a PCP&C 510AG on my K8W

[sapient]

Thanks guys.
That powersupply calculator was great.
I think i'll be ok with the powersupply i have. Now i just have to start checking the rails for power consumption.

[Ice Czar]

calculators need to be taken with a grain of salt
they employ the maximum draw for all the component]
something that rarely if ever happens, your "typical" load being probably half of that, but then you also need to takemany PSU manufacturers specs with a grain of salt as well

Antec is however better than most, but power supplies are tested and rated at a very low temperature, something that if you cant replicate will effect the amps\wattage (not to mentio9n "shared" rails) the true power line however doesnt have shared rails if I recall and its one of the few PSUs Id trust with a modern mobo (great voltage regulation)