If you’re serious about computers, a shop-bought package may be a good place to start, but inevitably you’ll want to develop your desktop configuration to accommodate more processing power, add-ons and other extras. Making sure you have the right PC power supplies is an important part of the overall package and can make the difference between a good system and a great system. Often called a computer power supply or PC PSUs, these units are primarily designed to power personal computers, office workstations, gaming machines, multimedia computers and server applications.
Application
When you’re selecting your PC power supplies, the first thing to consider is the equipment you’re fitting to the system. Large hard drives create a lot of heat and so need fans to cool them. This means that the system will be drawing a considerably higher wattage and so you will need a power supply that will be able to cope with this. Choosing a power supply that can adequately cope with the amount of wattage drawn by the computer’s hard drive without having to work at its maximum means that you will prevent the power supply from overheating. You also have to consider any external devices that you may be attaching to the system and their power requirements, particularly if you are running multi-applications simultaneously. Calculate the power consumption of all components fitted (including external hard drives, fans, DVD drives and the computer’s own hard drive). Once you have worked out the wattage that your system will be using, then you can calculate an additional ‘allowance’ to prevent the power supply from having to work at its maximum capacity.
Environment
Another consideration is the environment that your desktop configuration is located in. If your computer is in a home environment, a fanless PC power supply may be a better choice to reduce the background ‘hum’ to a minimum.
Power interruptions
Despite a relatively reliable mains electricity system in the UK, ‘brown-outs’ and short power cuts can cause damage to sensitive electronic equipment. If you depend on your computer for work, it may be an idea to include a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) unit into your configuration. This will give you an additional power supply source and in the event of a power cut will give you enough time to save your work and shut your system down correctly, preventing any data being lost or damaged. The alternative problem lies in voltage ‘spikes’, which can send a surge of electricity through the mains and into equipment. Good quality PC power supplies will include over-current and over-voltage protection.
Compatibility
PC power supplies have to be compatible to the equipment that you are applying them to, for example, SSI, Intel P4 or AMD Athlon technologies. Before selecting your PC power supply unit, check with the manufacturer’s data sheet that it is compatible with your equipment. Incompatible power supplies could damage the sensitive electronic components.
Power usage
Modern PC power supplies are far more efficient than their forebears, and can reduce your electricity bill considerably. Some have an energy-saving standby mode included, turning the power supply to standby when not in use for a set length of time.
By taking these factors into consideration when buying PC power supplies, you should be able to find a compatible, efficient power supply that will run all your applications without the risk of damaging any of your delicate electronic equipment.
Application
When you’re selecting your PC power supplies, the first thing to consider is the equipment you’re fitting to the system. Large hard drives create a lot of heat and so need fans to cool them. This means that the system will be drawing a considerably higher wattage and so you will need a power supply that will be able to cope with this. Choosing a power supply that can adequately cope with the amount of wattage drawn by the computer’s hard drive without having to work at its maximum means that you will prevent the power supply from overheating. You also have to consider any external devices that you may be attaching to the system and their power requirements, particularly if you are running multi-applications simultaneously. Calculate the power consumption of all components fitted (including external hard drives, fans, DVD drives and the computer’s own hard drive). Once you have worked out the wattage that your system will be using, then you can calculate an additional ‘allowance’ to prevent the power supply from having to work at its maximum capacity.
Environment
Another consideration is the environment that your desktop configuration is located in. If your computer is in a home environment, a fanless PC power supply may be a better choice to reduce the background ‘hum’ to a minimum.
Power interruptions
Despite a relatively reliable mains electricity system in the UK, ‘brown-outs’ and short power cuts can cause damage to sensitive electronic equipment. If you depend on your computer for work, it may be an idea to include a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) unit into your configuration. This will give you an additional power supply source and in the event of a power cut will give you enough time to save your work and shut your system down correctly, preventing any data being lost or damaged. The alternative problem lies in voltage ‘spikes’, which can send a surge of electricity through the mains and into equipment. Good quality PC power supplies will include over-current and over-voltage protection.
Compatibility
PC power supplies have to be compatible to the equipment that you are applying them to, for example, SSI, Intel P4 or AMD Athlon technologies. Before selecting your PC power supply unit, check with the manufacturer’s data sheet that it is compatible with your equipment. Incompatible power supplies could damage the sensitive electronic components.
Power usage
Modern PC power supplies are far more efficient than their forebears, and can reduce your electricity bill considerably. Some have an energy-saving standby mode included, turning the power supply to standby when not in use for a set length of time.
By taking these factors into consideration when buying PC power supplies, you should be able to find a compatible, efficient power supply that will run all your applications without the risk of damaging any of your delicate electronic equipment.
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