Basics of power supply
How important it is !
Power supply is the main component of a computer; without it a computer is just a case or box of metal and plastic.
A power supply gives the current to the whole machine to get started and supplies continuously.
Basically a power supply converts the Alternating current ( AC ) to the Direct Current
( DC ).
AC current is the normal current which is used in our house hold systems.
You might have seen on a back side of switch or on the appliances it’s written 230-250 volts.
A Power supply
DC is the transformed current. It’s needed by personal computer.
Power supply is located to the upper back corner of the system.
It can be seen from behind because it contains a cooling fan and a power cord connector.
Power supplies are also called “switching power supplies”, use switcher technology to convert the AC input to lower DC voltages. The typical voltages supplied are:
- 3.3 volts
- 5 volts
- 12 volts
The 3.3- and 5-volts are typically used by digital circuits, while the 12-volt is used to run motors in hard disks and fans( for processor, cooling the cabinet.). The main specification of a power supply is in watts. A watt is the product of the voltage in volts and the current in amperes or amps.
Today you turn on the power with a little push button, and you turn off the machine with a menu option.
These capabilities were added to standard power supplies several years ago. The operating system can send a signal to the power supply to tell it to turn off.
The push button sends a 5 volt signal to the power supply to tell it to turn off.
The power supply also has a circuit that supplies 5 volts, called vbs for standby voltage; so even when it’s officially off, the button can work.
Selecting a power a supply is also a difficult task as it has different voltages.
It comes in 300 watts, 350; 400; 450; 650; 1.1kw.
Now its up to you which part on to decide.
It again depends on individuals need. A home performing computer may not need even 300watts power supply.
But if more components are installed in a home computer then there might be need of even 650 watts.
It all depends on the components.
Let me tell you as you choose the higher watts the monthly electricity bill also climbs higher.
This is the specification
Motherboard-, 15-30 watts
Low-End CPU-, 20-30 watts
Mid To High-End CPU-, 40-100 watts
RAM-, 7 watts per 128 MB
PCI Add-In Card-, 5 watts
Low To Mid-Range Graphics-, 20-60 watts
High-End Graphics-, 60-100 watts
IDE Hard Drive-, 10-30 watts
Optical Drives-, 10-25 watts
Normally a 300 watts power supply does well for an average gaming machine.
But if you are the one with the all time wishing attitude, then the higher ones are for you.
While purchasing a power supply take a note of the company manufacturing the power supply.
Many companies manufacture it but not up to the mark. Sometimes 300 watts is written on the component but it results in only 250 watts.
You can observe a company offering 300 watts power supply at lower cost and same type of power supply offered by other company at much higher cost. It will help you find the difference.
The major producers are Antec, iball, Altec, VIP and many more.
Any questions please ask.
Feel free to ask for suggestions or any help.
Because its your money which is going to be invested.
PC Hardware Solution 