Can someone explain PSU efficeincy

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iliketrainz98

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Jul 24, 2013
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Hi, I am sorry if this has already been answered, but I am kinda confused.

Could one of you please sum up what psu efficiency is? I don't really understand. I have a Cooler Master 500W Elite PSU http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooler-Master-Elite-Power-Supply/dp/B004XG6I1W/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top (sorry) which I only just found out had an efficiency rating of 70%.

Now, does this mean that when people say "you need a minimal power supply of X to run this product" are they referring to the number in the name (500W) or the efficeincy calculation (in this case 350 W?)

Thanks!! Sorry, this kinda confuses me

Tom
 
Solution
O
efficiency rating specifies how efficiently it uses the AC power from the wall. It has nothing to do with its power output (500W in your case). If you have a 500W psu running at full load, at 70% efficiency, it means 30% of electricity pulled from the wall is wasted as heat. So you are in fact, drawing 650W from the wall, to provide your pc with 500W of power.

therefore, when people say you need a certain wattage, they are referreing to the 500W value.

People buy high efficiency psu because
1. they use less Energy, while providing the same power (lowers your electricity bills)
2. usually, high efficiency corresponds to higher quality psu components.
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oczdude8

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efficiency rating specifies how efficiently it uses the AC power from the wall. It has nothing to do with its power output (500W in your case). If you have a 500W psu running at full load, at 70% efficiency, it means 30% of electricity pulled from the wall is wasted as heat. So you are in fact, drawing 650W from the wall, to provide your pc with 500W of power.

therefore, when people say you need a certain wattage, they are referreing to the 500W value.

People buy high efficiency psu because
1. they use less Energy, while providing the same power (lowers your electricity bills)
2. usually, high efficiency corresponds to higher quality psu components.
 
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rolli59

rolli59

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Oct 27, 2007
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It basically means if your components need 350watts DC power from the PSU it has to pull 500watts from the wall if it is 70% efficient! The name or actual rating 500 watts means it can deliver 500watts DC power and therefore because of the xx% efficiency pull more from the wall.
 
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iliketrainz98

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Jul 24, 2013
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Great, so just checking, I should be fine with putting a nvidia 660 ti in my comp

Spec - CPU AMD Phenm, 965
Hardrive - Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB
3 Fans
8 USB Ports
and a couple of PCI Cards I think

Sorry to bug you, but help would be appreciated
 
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oczdude8

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should be okay
 
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iliketrainz98

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Jul 24, 2013
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Great, thanks to both of you!!

Tom

 
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