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stupid power supply question

N

nimish

n00b
Joined
Aug 25, 2006
Messages
5
Suppose I have a PS that supplies 750w, but my system only uses say, 500 W -- what happens to the difference? Is it wasted in heat, or just not consumed?
 
A SMPS only delivers the power demanded of it. So a 750W unit would provide 500W of power in your example not 750W. The difference between the DC output and the AC input is the only difference and that is the efficiency. That difference is wasted heat.
 
Remember that the efficiency of a PSU depends on its load percentage, so you generally want to aim for something that will have your PC consuming about 40-60% of its available capacity.
 
You want something that will run close to 90% efficient when fully populated with your gear. This insures that your getting the most for your money and not over buying hardware you will not use anytime soon.
 
and here I thought all the extra power ran out of the USB ports all over the desk.


:)
 
bearlevel said:
You want something that will run close to 90% efficient when fully populated with your gear. This insures that your getting the most for your money and not over buying hardware you will not use anytime soon.
Click to expand...
There are exceedingly few PSUs that can even approach that level of efficiency at any load.
 
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