How do you connect 2 power supplies to work in tandem?

[hcforde]

Rather than buy 1 big power supply I want to connect two Power supplies to work in one computer. I know it can be done just want to know how to do it correctly. I want one PS to run just the video cards (and maybe the hard drives)and the other PS to run the motherboard. I am going to be putting this in a huge (4 space) rack mount case that has tons of room and a a lot of cooling with a seperate compartment for the Power supplies. will be using the following components

Maximus Formula SE
Quad Intel CPU 1066/1333 not sure yet - I can wait for the 1333
Dual ATI Video cards
Intel Matrix Raid 4 HDD's


Thanks

 

[Grimmy]

Oooph.. that would be a tricky thing to try.

I'd prolly get a toggle switch that would be hooked up with 1 PSU, that would be hooked up with the green / black (24 pin molex) wire (back PSU switch would be left on). While the other would be hooked up with the MB and be turn on like normally would.

Here's a guide to turn on a PSU without the MB:

Tutorials | Turn on PSU without motherboard - the 'paperclip trick'

So basically the toggle switch would replace the paper clip. :lol:

Maybe someone else would have a better idea though.

 

[tsf]

if you want a dedicated psu for your graphic cards, these maybe the answer for you:

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0099/w0099.asp

http://www.thermaltake.com/product/Power/PurePower/w0130/w0130.asp

although, personally i would go for a single powerful psu---less hassle and probably cheaper.

 

[frozenlead]

i would probably put a little switch on the extra psu as said. you can even make a nice hole in your case and link it to the front and make it look nifty.

you could go hardcore too and put a transistor on the mobo psu that completes the switch circuit to the extra psu when the first one's powered on.

the first one's cheaper and easier though.

I did the switch version once for a raid 0+1 array on an old computer.

 

[ir_efrem]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_186&products_id=21193

 

[Grimmy]

http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34_186&products_id=21193

OOoooooo... never knew. That looks like a clean way.

 

[ir_efrem]

amazing what a google search finds =P

and its cheap to

 

[hcforde]

IR_Efrem,

Thanks, That is the solution I was looking for. One of the good but former Techs Guru's at Compusa (Brian Downey) had done it but he has moved on and I do not know where to find him. I knew it was an elegant simple safe solution. Thanks again IR_Efrem for the find.