The power going into a computer is the most critical component and can be one of the most overlooked. It is simply taken for granted that it will always be there and working properly. A top-of-the-line processor and ultra-powerful graphics card are useless if a system isn’t getting the ample and stable power it demands. Having quality components that provide and regulate the power supplied to a computer is critical, and this short overview looks at a few areas worth considering.
power supplies
Computer power supplies take the high DC voltages (110V or 220V) from an outlet and convert them to the various lower AC voltages needed to run a system. Typical voltages required within a computer are 3.3V, 5V, and 12V, where the 3.3V and 5V lines are typically used to power circuits, and the 12V line provides power to run items. such as hard drives, optical drives and cooling fans. .
Power supplies are sold in terms of their total power output, in terms of wattage. Choosing the right power supply means not only finding one that provides enough power for all the components connected to the system, but also one that is physically sized correctly, has enough connections for typical drives and fans, and, if necessary, that it also has special connections for things like Serial ATA drives and modern video cards.
Choosing a power supply with enough power shouldn’t be a big problem, as having more power than you need is never a bad thing. Just because a power supply is rated at 400W, or maybe 600W, doesn’t imply that it’s consuming that at any given time. It simply indicates the total power available for the various lines within the computer. For those interested in getting a good idea of their minimum power requirements, this wattage calculator is a convenient reference. In addition to checking the total wattage of a power supply, it is also recommended to look for strong amperage ratings on the 3.3V, 5V, and 12V lines, as power supplies with identical total wattage ratings can distribute the power to different lines in different amounts.
Power supplies come in a few different physical sizes, but the most common ones are designed to fit into standard ATX and micro ATX (mATX) form factor cases. A typical ATX PSU, like this 680W Echo-Star unit, measures 3.25″ x 6″ x 5.5″ and features two cooling fans to not only cool the PSU, but also take out the hot air from the computer.The mATX power supply, like this 320W A-Power unit, measures 2.5″ x 5″ x 4″ and, due to its smaller size, only has one cooling fan . mATX cases are generally much smaller than ATX cases and therefore have smaller power supplies, with generally lower power ratings and fewer connectors.
The connectors of a power supply also deserve consideration. Most power supplies come with what appears to be an electrical octopus of wires dangling from the back surface, and you need to make sure that somewhere in that tangled bundle are all the connectors you need. The power supply must have at least as many connections as there are drives, cooling fans, and other items in the case. Until recently, power supplies had a fixed number of connections, and if you needed more, you needed to use splitters to distribute power to all components. Modular power supplies, such as the 500W Ultra X-Connect unit, are now available and completely eliminate that “electrical octopus” and allow the end user to connect only the cables they need. The flexibility of a modular power supply design not only allows you to customize the connections to your needs, but also allows for a simple and neat installation, since there are no extra cables dangling inside the case.
Selecting a high-quality power supply may cost more money up front, but could end up saving you money down the road. Many manufacturers now offer power supplies that consume less power thanks to high-quality internal components, advanced designs, and active power factor correction. These drives can now provide the same power to a computer’s components, but because of higher efficiency, they draw less power from the outlet.
surge protectors
Surge protectors are intended to protect your electronic devices from a brief surge in voltage caused by lightning strikes, rolling blackouts, and high-drain electrical equipment. A surge protector reacts to divert extra electricity to ground, thereby protecting your expensive IT equipment from damage. A surge is any surge that lasts for three nanoseconds or more, so a surge protector must react quickly. Most surge protectors also include a fuse (or circuit breaker), and if the surge is too great to handle without interruption, the fuse will blow. Although the fuse may be blown, it’s a small loss compared to what you may have saved.
Surge protectors come in all shapes and styles. You can even find some basic models at your local dollar store, but they don’t offer more than a few outlets attached to a switch. You don’t get serious protection, but many people just want more outlets, not protection.
The most serious surge protectors will probably cost a little over a dollar, but will give you peace of mind knowing that your equipment is actually protected. In addition to protecting against electrical surges, some devices include additional features, such as conditioning to filter line noise and ports to protect other lines, such as cable TV, telephone, and network.
The Fellowes Smart Surge Power Strip protects up to 10 devices against surges, plus offers line and port conditioning to protect your phone line. A very attractive feature of this surge protector is that 4 of the ports are designed to accept bulky AC adapters. For those with surge protectors that weren’t designed to be as easy to use, there is still hope in the form of Power Strip Saver cables. Basically just 7-inch long extension cords, these items can come in very handy when trying to connect multiple AC adapters to a more traditional surge protector.
uninterruptible power supply
Many people familiar with uninterruptible power supplies (UPSs) know that they can keep a computer running during a total power failure, but don’t know what else they can do. Most UPSs also provide protection against voltage spikes and brownouts (when the voltage drops below normal), as well as protection against the possibility of a change in power frequency.
UPSs come in two varieties, standby and continuous, although standby versions are much more common and less expensive. A standby UPS allows devices to run from the normal connected electrical connection until a power loss is detected, at which point it quickly (within milliseconds) switches to UPS battery backup. A continuous UPS always has the devices connected to it running without battery power, while the batteries are recharged by normal electrical connection.
UPSs are sold in terms of their capacity, in terms of VA (voltage multiplied by amperage). This implies that the devices connected to the UPS can draw a maximum of that much amperage at a specific voltage. A run time after power failure is also typically specified for a UPS based on a full load being placed on the device.
Selection of a UPS should be based on intended use… A smaller unit such as the Fenton 600VA would be adequate to power a typical desktop computer, monitor and smaller peripherals such as a printer and lighting for what they qualify as 15-23 minutes at full load. If multiple systems need to be powered, or perhaps there are plans for future expansion that will add to the power demands, a larger unit like the Tripp Lite 1500VA may be more appropriate. The first two units are designed to be installed very close to the devices that will be powered, perhaps on the floor behind a desk, but if you’re looking to add a UPS to a server, there are also rack-mount solutions like the Opti-UPS. 1100VA.
Regardless of the application, sizing a UPS can seem daunting. One manufacturer, APC, has created a handy UPS selection application that will take some of the guesswork out of choosing the right UPS for any particular application.
Last words
A computer system is only as strong as its weakest feature, and many times that distinction falls to the power supply and related components. By choosing a quality power supply, surge protector, and perhaps a UPS, one can ensure that they have strong and stable enough power to keep their system running now, as well as in the future when upgrades may increase demand for power. his system.