4 Responses to “How does a power supply exactly work?”

1. Azrael on August 1st, 2009 12:22 am
   

   Generators Feedback: no
2. Madman6510 on August 4th, 2009 5:55 am
   

   Generators Feedback: It means that it can distribute a max of 500 watts of DC power to the computer at 1 time. The amount of AC power it’s drawing depends on what you’re doing at the time, and what your hardware is.
3. EGOman on August 7th, 2009 4:14 pm
   

   Generators Feedback: No, its capable of providing up to 500 watts. If you are energy conscious, then investigate the power supply you are buying and make sure you get one that runs at least 80% efficient. Some of the cheaper PSU’s are only around 60%.
4. Chickster on August 9th, 2009 4:47 am
   

   Generators Feedback: Nope!
   Main thing to remember,

   A COMPUTER ONLY USES THE POWER IT NEEDS

   If you have a 10,000 watt power supply, and your computer only needs 100 watts, it only uses 100 watts!

   Edit:
   Thought I’d comeback and add.
   I recommend this power supply,
   OCZ StealthXStream 600W

   1.Keep this 600 Watt Psu (Power Supply Unit) at 118 degrees Fahrenheit, (47.9 degrees Celsius), and it can put out 728.8 Watts! (Your body temp is 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit)

   2.Has Four -> 12 volt power rails.
   EACH one can handle 18 AMP’s. (18A)
   You can add all four to arrive at 72 AMP’s!

   3.Power cables,
   A.(1) 20 + 4 pin ATX motherboard power cable
   B.(1) 8-pin ATX 12 volt power cable
   C.(1) P4MB (4 pin ATX 12 volt) power cable
   D.(3) Sata power cables
   E.(6) Peripheral (4 pin Molex) power cables
   F.(2) 6-pin PCI Express power cables.

   This website has a better view of the power cables,

   In-depth info,
   1.http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451/9
   2.http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/451

   Power Supply power cable chart, with photos,

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