Dual 12v Rails?

[sitheris]

I've searched a few pages back but can't find anything on this topic.

Could anyone give me a brief rundown (not too technical) of the purpose of Dual 12v rails? Why would I want dual 12v rails? Why *wouldn't* I want dual 12v rails? If I have dual 12v rails do I need to manually change any settings to enable them both?

I am trying to shop for a new PSU so I can do SLI 7800gt's, doesn't seem like Neopower 480 is good enough.

I just came across some PSU's that have dual 12v rails and some that don't, but are all SLI certified and was wondering what the difference is.

Thanks

 

[[Spectre]]

This is covered extensively in the stickies...but here goes again.

Dual 12v's (ATX12v2.0 and up) are used for isolating high current draw items such as processors and video cards. 12v2 feeds the processor while 12v1 feeds all other 12v devices.

If you are running a 5v regulated system you don't want dual 12v's as crossloading can occur. There are some other specialized cases......but what are you going to be doing exactly?

Not all dual ATX12v2.0 psu's are SLI certified. SLI certification is just a marketing gimmic.

 

[sitheris]

This is covered extensively in the stickies...but here goes again.

Dual 12v's (ATX12v2.0 and up) are used for isolating high current draw items such as processors and video cards. 12v2 feeds the processor while 12v1 feeds all other 12v devices.

If you are running a 5v regulated system you don't want dual 12v's as crossloading can occur. There are some other specialized cases......but what are you going to be doing exactly?

Not all dual ATX12v2.0 psu's are SLI certified. SLI certification is just a marketing gimmic.

I plan to do a bit of upgrade soon.

Current system is in sig (gaming rig). I am planning on the following upgrades:
Case - Coolermaster Cent 5
Processor - Opteron 1xx dual core
Memory - Better memory for OC
Mobo - A8N-SLI Premium
Video Card - A second XFX 7800GT
PSU - ???

I'm not sure what a "5v regulated system" means. I don't know squat about power, is there a good place to read up on it? Thanks

 

[[Spectre]]

I plan to do a bit of upgrade soon.

Current system is in sig (gaming rig). I am planning on the following upgrades:
Case - Coolermaster Cent 5
Processor - Opteron 1xx dual core
Memory - Better memory for OC
Mobo - A8N-SLI Premium
Video Card - A second XFX 7800GT
PSU - ???

Ok. What kind of price range/features are you looking for?

I'm not sure what a "5v regulated system" means. I don't know squat about power, is there a good place to read up on it? Thanks

Older sysetms had the processor powerd off of the 5v rail (3.3v before that).......if a motherboard doesn't have the 4 pin P4/Aux connector it is a 5v system.

 

[sitheris]

Ok. What kind of price range/features are you looking for?

For features I would need 24-pin connector, 2x PCI-E connectors, SATA connectors, and I guess enough wattage to power everything. Modular would be nice (like my Neopower 480). Price, I guess i'd be willing to spend $120-150 max for a PSU.

Older sysetms had the processor powerd off of the 5v rail (3.3v before that).......if a motherboard doesn't have the 4 pin P4/Aux connector it is a 5v system.

All of my systems have the 4 pin P4 connector

 

[[Spectre]]

For features I would need 24-pin connector, 2x PCI-E connectors, SATA connectors, and I guess enough wattage to power everything. Modular would be nice (like my Neopower 480). Price, I guess i'd be willing to spend $120-150 max for a PSU.

The Enermax Liberty series should fit your bill very well then.