PSUs single 12v Rail or more?

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  1. Posts : 429
    Windows 7 Professional x64
       #1

    PSUs single 12v Rail or more?


    I might be needing a bigger PSU than my Antec 430w, it has 17a on 12v1, and 16 on 12v2, total of 33a. The reason I am asking is that I just ordered a GTS 450, and it specs a minimum of 400w PSU .. and I want to add a 2nd HDD in the case, and not use the USB adapter on the 2nd HDD. I tried the 2nd in the case before, and had some issues upon boot, once I removed the 2nd HDD it booted fine.

    I'll layout what I have on/in my rig:
    Antec EA-430D
    Phenom X3 8650
    4x1GB DDR1066 (1.8v at 800Mhz, not stable at 2.0 & 1066)
    Onboard GF8200 IGP (was a GF 9600 GT OC)
    WD SATA 3gb 500GB
    Toshiba SATA DVD+-RW
    Chaintech AV-710
    WD 500GB via USB to SATA adapter
    160GB USB 2.0 Pocket HDD
    Logitech MX518 Mouse
    Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard
    Logitech Webcam Pro 9000
    HP LaserJet 1200 USB

    I am going to install the GTS 450, and I want to install the 500GB. I can't find minimum 12v specs for the GTS 450. I know I am cutting it abit close with my 430w w/o the 2nd HDD, and 500+ would be preferable. But I don't know what would be best: Single 12v rail or more than one. I am guessing on 2 rails, one is for devices and the other is for PCIe power?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    Joshatdot said:
    I might be needing a bigger PSU than my Antec 430w, it has 17a on 12v1, and 16 on 12v2, total of 33a. The reason I am asking is that I just ordered a GTS 450, and it specs a minimum of 400w PSU .. and I want to add a 2nd HDD in the case, and not use the USB adapter on the 2nd HDD. I tried the 2nd in the case before, and had some issues upon boot, once I removed the 2nd HDD it booted fine.

    I'll layout what I have on/in my rig:
    Antec EA-430D
    Phenom X3 8650
    4x1GB DDR1066 (1.8v at 800Mhz, not stable at 2.0 & 1066)
    Onboard GF8200 IGP (was a GF 9600 GT OC)
    WD SATA 3gb 500GB
    Toshiba SATA DVD+-RW
    Chaintech AV-710
    WD 500GB via USB to SATA adapter
    160GB USB 2.0 Pocket HDD
    Logitech MX518 Mouse
    Dell Multimedia USB Keyboard
    Logitech Webcam Pro 9000
    HP LaserJet 1200 USB

    I am going to install the GTS 450, and I want to install the 500GB. I can't find minimum 12v specs for the GTS 450. I know I am cutting it abit close with my 430w w/o the 2nd HDD, and 500+ would be preferable. But I don't know what would be best: Single 12v rail or more than one. I am guessing on 2 rails, one is for devices and the other is for PCIe power?

    My guess even 500w isnt enough. With that rig you will be running it max'ed out all the time. A 600w isnt that much more and probably would give you the power to run the ram at the speeds you cant now.


    Ken J
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 429
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I've read up some on +12v rails, and newer/modern PSUs offer more then one because of wire ampere safety limitations. 500w will be plenty enuff, I just seen a short review on Newegg saying that the GTS 450 ran fine on this persons micro ATX 380w PSU .. shurg. I am looking into a 550w~600w sometime later.

    edit: I just noticed I should have posted this in the HW board, and not the OC/Case Mods, sorry.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 568
    Win7 x64 Ultimate SP1
       #4

    I would go with at least 750w PSU. That way you have plenty in reserve.
    Weird things happen when you push the limits of you power supply.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 429
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #5

    pfft..750, why bother .. I'll get the 1500watt I'll be ready for ANYTHING
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #6

    Personally, I go with the single rail PSUs from Corsair.

    For comparisons:
    The 550W has a 41Amp 12V rail
    The 650W has a 52A 12V rail.

    I have read that Dual rails split the load, and can not actually both be added up to get the true 12V Amperage. because its actually a bit less.

    Also, that Single rails are more effecient at balancing power everywhere because they are not limited per rail as a multiple rail PSU is.

    All kinds of things you can read like this, and some of the opposite.
    Others claim its all a huge myth, and multiple rails are better.


    I think as with anything, the truth of the matter is that it probably doesn't matter much in reality one way or the other.

    Just get a very good quality PSU from a reputable company and you should be fine, whichever design you choose.


    But as I said, personally, I would prefer a single powerful 12V rail.
    Corsair is also my favorite, and what I would recommend.

    The 550 or 650 should be plenty.
    I wouldn't think a 750 would be needed for your setup, but I could be wrong.
    You can also get them as a Modular or Normal(pigtail) design.

    I run the 650 in my setup and have had no issues out of it.

    There are however, many other good brands which Im sure you'll some recommendations for :)
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    Joshatdot said:
    pfft..750, why bother .. I'll get the 1500watt I'll be ready for ANYTHING
    Your electric company will be vary glad you did. For that system, that's way overkill.

    Good luck though.

    Info on power supplies …

    - Recommended Power Supplies | silentpcreview.com
    - Everything You Need to Know About Power Supplies | Hardware Secrets
    - How to Buy a Power Supply - wikiHow

    Myths Busted... Antec PSU
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #8

    Wishmaster said:
    I have read that Dual rails split the load, and can not actually both be added up to get the true 12V Amperage. because its actually a bit less.

    Also, that Single rails are more effecient at balancing power everywhere because they are not limited per rail as a multiple rail PSU is.
    Not really.... Antec PSU
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 429
    Windows 7 Professional x64
    Thread Starter
       #9

    sygnus21 said:
    Joshatdot said:
    pfft..750, why bother .. I'll get the 1500watt I'll be ready for ANYTHING
    Your electric company will be vary glad you did. For that system, that's way overkill.

    Good luck though.

    Info on power supplies …

    - Recommended Power Supplies | silentpcreview.com
    - Everything You Need to Know About Power Supplies | Hardware Secrets
    - How to Buy a Power Supply - wikiHow

    Myths Busted... Antec PSU
    OHHHH...I don't know why, but I love reading stuff like this. I read the whole article on Silent PC Review, about their soundproofing upgrades they did to the testing room.

    I read some other article by someone about testing the true wattage rating of various weird off brand PSUs they got from their 'Pimp my PSU' contest or summat. They put them thru very some heavy duty load testing .. most fried up toast, and a couple went to their rating and a bit more.

    I am going to be reading all of those all day

    edit: found the PSU testing article http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...=Story&reid=71

    and I'll link the SilentPC Review sound proof upgrade article also http://www.silentpcreview.com/article876-page1.html
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7,683
    Windows 10 Pro
       #10

    Joshatdot said:
    edit: found the PSU testing article The Bargain Basement Power Supply Roundup Review
    Glad to hear you find the info helpful.

    And JonnyGURU.com is an excellent place for info on Power Supplies as well as reviews.
      My Computer


 
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