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Geek Culture / Power supply weirdness... How is my computer still working?

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:20 Edited at: 26th Aug 2009 21:25
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Ok, so I have a 250W power supply, which came with my machine when I bought it.
I recently looked at this article from tiger direct, and I realized, my computer shouldn't be able to run!
According to the chart from the article, I am using approximately 600 watts. But I only have a 250 watt power supply!
I am slightly confused as to how this is working, because I am somehow drawing more watts from my power supply than my power supply can provide.

Here's the chart:

Here's what I am using:
Motherboard: 30W
A high end (2.83 GHz Intel Quad core) CPU: 100W
6.5 GB of RAM: 350W
PCI modem: 5W
160GB IDE HDD: 30W
1TB SATA HDD: 30W
500GB SATA HDD: 30W
DVD/RW drive: 25W
------------------------------------------------------------------
Total: 600W

Yes, I am assuming I am using the maximum wattage from each component, but even if I wasn't, its still more than 250 watts. (Something around 440, I believe.)
So I'm pretty confused as to how this is possible. I mean, my RAM alone is drawing too many watts!
Can someone please explain this to me?

I have a devious mind.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:29
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7W per 128Mb RAM sounds a touch excessive to me.

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:32
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Quote: "7W per 128Mb RAM sounds a touch excessive to me."

what would you say is more accurate then? 5W per 128MB? 3W?
Even at 3W per 128MB, it still comes out to approximately 400 watts, which is still more than my power supply can give.

I have a devious mind.
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David R
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:34 Edited at: 26th Aug 2009 21:34
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Most memory is 1.5 - 1.8v per stick. The current it draws is a bit wishy washy.

However, since 1W = 1V x 1A I would assume that when that table says "7W per 128MB" it is referring to entire sticks (i.e. 7W per 128MB stick)

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:38 Edited at: 26th Aug 2009 21:39
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I think the 7W figure is very bad even if this is taken at an unreasonable temperature.

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:42
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Quote: "7W per 128MB stick"

Hmm... well if its X number of watts per RAM stick, then that's way different. How many watts do you think it is per 2GB stick? I have 3 2GB sticks and 1 500MB stick.
If we completely disregard the watts taken up by RAM, my machine is still using 250 watts on everything else. So, even if the RAM used up 10 watts, I'd still be over the 250 watt maximum output.
Plus, I'm looking to get a Graphics card soon. (Only have the integrated one now.) So that'll be using up another 60-100 watts when I get it...
Definitely gonna have to buy a new power supply soon...

I have a devious mind.
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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 21:51
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You have two CPUs on the list. Also remember those are the peak usages. You'll very rarely be spinning up your HDD and CD drive and maxing out all other hardware simultaneously.

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TheComet
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 22:13
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There is something wrong with your calculations...

600W at 12 volts would be 50 Amps, Which would be 5.45454545 Amps at 110 Volts at your mains. This power draw is equivalent to a vacuum engine running at a low speed. Do you know how much power that is? Way too much for a computer.

250 W power supply is 2.7 Watts at 110V AC, which is a lot for a computer.

350 W RAM --> 30 Amps 12V. That would fry your RAM in milliseconds.

You are probably talking about milliWatts, which is more realistic.

TheComet


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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 22:25
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I don't know... Im not really savvy with all the watts and amps and volts and stuff... So, based on that chart, your own electrical knowledge, and my list of hardware, am I or am I not using too much power?
Also, do you think I'll need a better power supply if I get a graphics card?
(this one)

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Green Gandalf
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 23:37
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Is all the power being supplied by the same power outlet? My setup uses four.

And I've no idea how much power I'm using - but I have noticed that I can turn down the central heating in my study.
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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 26th Aug 2009 23:38
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Well, all the power for the Computer is coming from one outlet; I have separate plugs for the monitor, speakers, etc...

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mm0zct
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Posted: 30th Aug 2009 16:36 Edited at: 30th Aug 2009 17:15
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It also depends on the quality of the power supply, a good powersupply will be stable right up to and a little above it's rated power. A cheap one will drop off in efficience as it gets hot and not even reach it's rated power once it's got hot (which it will after supplying maximum load for more than a few seconds)

I think you've probbably got lucky with your power supply, but you might want to see if it's running a bit hot, or undervolting your system (some monitoring apps for the computer can tell you that).
Although thinking about it all your components there won't draw nearly as much power as you've quoted. 30W per hard disk? my netbook might only be a 2.5" drive (not flash based) but my whole netbook, including screen, draws about 15W
that's including 1GB of ram that you're putting 70W for

If you're ocnsidering getting a high end graphics card then you probably want something nearer the 400W region, which will give you some overhead too.

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Phaelax
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Posted: 31st Aug 2009 00:18
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80% efficiency is pretty common these days, and a few will hit over 90%


6.5GB of ram will definitely NOT require 350w of power, no where even close. I know I'm always yelling at people not to waste money on 600w PSU cause it simply isn't needed, but 250w seems low to even me. I didn't even know ppl sold em that small anymore. Sure it isn't a 350?

Should check this out, a C2D system powered by only a 250w PSU.
http://www.behardware.com/articles/670-4/pc-s-actual-power-consumption.html

Here's my system:
E6750 - 65w(peak)
8600GTS - 21,31,47(idle,2d,3d)
ABIT IP35 Pro - 99-130w (i think, but reviews state its lower than most boards)
CD-rom - 2-15.6w
3xHDD - (9-12w, from a Raptor)
4x1gb ddr2-800 - 1.6w?

Total: 166.8w

http://www.behardware.com/art/imprimer/670/
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/geforce8600gts_7.html

How accurate all the numbers are I can't be 100% sure.

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Conjured Entertainment
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 00:06
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Quote: "Here's my system:
E6750 - 65w(peak)
8600GTS - 21,31,47(idle,2d,3d)
ABIT IP35 Pro - 99-130w (i think, but reviews state its lower than most boards)
CD-rom - 2-15.6w
3xHDD - (9-12w, from a Raptor)
4x1gb ddr2-800 - 1.6w?

Total: 166.8w"



Quote: "It also depends on the quality of the power supply, a good powersupply will be stable right up to and a little above it's rated power. A cheap one will drop off in efficience as it gets hot and not even reach it's rated power once it's got hot (which it will after supplying maximum load for more than a few seconds)"


This is good to know, because I upgraded my 400w to 600w when I got a new NVIDIA 8800 GT.

Now my 600w is giving me trouble, and after hearing what you guys have said, I may put the 400w back in because it is a better quality than the 600w.

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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 01:34
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Ok, I've ordered a new power supply and graphics card.

Thanks for all the info guys, its been really helpful.

I have a devious mind.
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MIDN90
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 01:35 Edited at: 1st Sep 2009 01:35
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Quote: "Ok, I've ordered a new power supply and graphics card."





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Omega gamer 89
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 01:36
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SIR, YES SIR!

I have a devious mind.
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puppyofkosh
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 01:46
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MIDN90: I set that as my background.
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Phaelax
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 04:06
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I use a SeaSonic PSU, its awesome!

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Silvester
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Posted: 1st Sep 2009 16:53
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Erm, my PSU gives like... 300W, and my Graphics card alone uses over 400. Never had an issue with it though.

It's not the world that turns against you, it's you that turns against the world.
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