Specs/Compatability of PSU?

[DuceXcreW]

I want to build a computer, and I want it to have a ridiculously high powered powersupply, around 600-700 watts, purely as a kick Hp's teeth in for giving me a stupid 200 watt... thing. Plus, if I don't get it I know I'll need more than whatever I do buy.

But anywho, I don't understand (Nor can I find the appropriate resources on this website, but was recommended to talking to the fourm frequenters here) how to pick the right power supply.

The back of the PSs look confusing to me. I can read all the numbers, I I just have no clue what to do with the numbers. I don't know where to find out how many watts/amps/volts any device I'm looking to buy requires, and if I did I probably would not be sure if I was connecting it right.

On the back of the 200watt thing, it lists each color wire, says the voltage and the amps; now a bunch of different colored wires combine into one plug... I don't understand what that plug then equals, and assuming we add the wattage of each wire going into the plug, then why do I have 259 watts going into my dvd-rom? And most importantly, I think, would supplying (For numbers sake here) 1000 watts to a device that requires 50 be harmful?

I'm just gettin' really confused at the start of this adventure, can anyone lend some knowledge?

EDIT: Made post shorter and sweeter so somebody might actually want to read it?

 

[Crashman]

First of all, you can never have "too much power". Think of something simple: A 7W nighlight, 40W desk lamp, and 300W halogen room light, ALL 3 plug into the same wall outlet. Each draws only as many ampheres as it can use.

So you'll never overpower your parts. But I'd recommend an ordinary power supply that's still "overkill". Something like the Fortron Source 530W, which puts out more power than most 550W power supplies (including high-priced units), with peak sustanable power output over 600W! Given that most high end systems draw around 200W continuously or less, this power supply is indeed overkill.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[DuceXcreW]

Hrm. http://www.axiontech.com/prdt.php?item=57575&PHPSESSID=709c1296521285c8666e46bad7cdf26e

Indeed it does look nice & is rather unexpensive.

I thank thee, o Crashman ... My next question would be are there any limitations to with what components PSUs can operate? Obviously (I hope ) I'll buy a PSU for a PC, but is there anything a normal PSU will not work with? Like a certain type of motherboard, hard drive, etc? Or is the creation of PSU's and other components rather standard, and I'd have to chop off a plug to not have it work right?

 

[Crashman]

The 350W units aren't so badly priced:
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=17-104-966&depa=1" target="_new">Fortron Source</A>
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=17-104-970&depa=1" target="_new">Fortron Source</A>
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=17-103-486&depa=1" target="_new">Sparkel (by Fortron Source)</A>

And the 530W units aren't too expensive either:

<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=17-104-968&depa=1" target="_new">Fortron Source 530W</A>
<A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductdesc.asp?description=17-103-489&depa=1" target="_new">Sparkle 530W (by Fortron Source)</A>

Fortron Source offers power supplies with standard ATX power (20-pin, plus ATX12v four pin) as well as Server power (24-pin). Some boards that are supposed to use 24-pin can work with 20-pin and vice versa, but that's not universal, which is why I'm only pointing to standard 20-pin power supplies.

Fortron Source has been adding 2 SATA power connectors to their power supplies recently. But most motherboards with SATA come with a standard drive power header to SATA power adapter, and most SATA drives include both styles of connector, so we're talking over-redundance here. So yes, things are extremely standard and common, you shouldn't have any problems unless you're using an older Dell (PIII and earlier) or your power supply is a smaller form factor.

The smaller form factors are normally SFX (tiny power supplies) and PS/3 (short power supplies that fit in a standard sized hole). These are still ATX, but you'd have trouble fitting a standard sized power supply in one of those smaller cases.

Full sized ATX power supplies are PS/2 size, the same as common AT PC power supplies were.

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>

 

[DuceXcreW]

Well that pretty much ends all of my questions, thanks a million Crashman.

 

[Crashman]

Awe, come on, I'm sure you can come up with SOMETHING...hehe

<font color=blue>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to a hero as big as Crashman!</font color=blue>
<font color=red>Only a place as big as the internet could be home to an ego as large as Crashman's!</font color=red>