Two power supplies powering 1 system?

Heres my situation:

I thought my video card was defective, so I requested an RMA to support and they told me to check my power supply to see if it's strong enough. They recommended me to disconnect the cd drives and case fans. I attempted what they suggested; my problem was solved; yet now I need a new power supply.

Till now I realized I have an extra PSU laying around. it is 450W.

I wonder, if I can use my current PSU 600W to power everything else, and let the 450W power the cd + dvd drives and case fans. Is this possible? Will this raise the electric bill? Is it dangerous?

one of these

http://www.performance-pcs.com/cat [...] s_id=21193

LOL....

It looks good I may check that out soon.

I experimented once and spliced 2 250w power supplies together, and it worked. all of my drives and HDDs were ran off of one, and the mobo was hooked into both. the comp looked like a freak with a power supply welded to the outside of the case with wires going everywhere.

Isnt that part point of a forum? ask a question get an answer.

I dont see you complaining when someone asks whats dual lan for or some other legitimate question. Why do we need to know what his rig is if all the OP asks is how to run 2 PSU's at once on the same machine? You give an answer and move on...

sure "get your answer and move on" works, but how does that make the "online community" a real community? It lacks that feeling. Thats just my idea.

And what have you contributed, stranger, in your 17 posts? I hate strangers that pop in here and immediately start criticising... So either contribute, or just watch and learn. Asking questions, imo, is often a valuable contribution.

Falling on oh so convenient Ad Hominem Tu Quoque? As far as watching and learning, do you think my post count will tell you how long i've been watching? or will even my join date say anything? I've been watching longer than you think. I try to add where I can. When I don't have a response I don't say anything. maybe that explains why I have 17 posts. I don't make "I agree" posts to swell my post count. Because post count does not tell the whole story. You miss my point. I am just asking for a better community feeling. But I guess if honorary posters like you here stomp on 17 count posters, it will never happen. And if you think I am stomping on a 2 count poster, remember I am just asking him to post more (not asking him to shutup)

You guys have to keep in mind that its the amps on the 12V rail/s and the effiency of the power supply that matters, not simply the wattage. If I were you, I would sell both my power supplies and buy a pc power and cooling silencer 610 watt supply.

"I hate users like op. Just looking for the answer and not contributing at all. Others are just curious, how much pain is it to just tell us what setup you are running. SUCH a LEECH"

Looks more like a flame to me, rather than a request to the OP for more information....

point taken. 4 other posters had requested more info and it was just frustrating to see op ignore all those requests

The whole flame war is kind of funny. I see all kinds of threads started with insufficient information to even consider giving any assistance. Does the OP think we are mind readers? Many posters did indicate that his 600w PSU was probably a POS, and it probably is, but we don't have a definitive answer. The OP is ready to add his 450w PSU to the system which is, more than likely, the most foolish thing to do in his circumstance.

@OP: Try posting your specs, so that you can get informed advice. If you have a junk 600W PSU, then adding a 450W PSU to mask this will probably result in the destruction of your whole system.

Or, just add the additional PSU and take your chances. Be sure to post back when it fries, and let us know if there were any pretty flames.

I feel compelled to address niklep's post and subsequent defense.

The only one that gets screwed by the OP not posting his specs is the OP, because he is the one that will get poor advice. It appears that you were pissed off because you wanted to know his specs for curiosity sake. And for that you went on a rant and flamed the OP. When you were called on the fact that you were acting like a ten year old child, you back peddled. It doesn't matter how many posts you have. You embarrassed yourself, I suggest you take a chill pill.

Aw gee, no wonder I couldn't get the fan to work right, I loaded drivers for the HD3870!



(Thanks, I fixed it)

This is from the specs of the from PNY's website.

That is 26A on the combined 12V rails. You can't just add the rails together to determine this, but I am certain that the specs on that PSU is more than 26A on the combined rails.

The problem is that the Ultra XFinity is a tier 4 PSU. This means that it is one tier from the bottom of the list.
See Official XS Tiered PSU Manufacturer Brand Listing Phase III.

I suspect that there is something wrong with it as well, because even though it is a low quality PSU, it should still be able to power your system.

Rather than try to run PSU's in tandem, I would opt for a new one. This of course assumes that you have the cash.

What is the Brand and model of the 450W PSU that you have? And do you have the cash for a good High quality PSU?

It's a Codegen 450W, I don't even see that brand on that site's list.

+12V is 16A

------

With my current PSU, would switching up the molex plugs work?

I looked up the Codegen it is clearly junk and also unusable. How much cash do you have to put toward a good PSU?

Thats 1 amp more then the 250watt i have in the closet.... In its defense it runs a E6600 and low end video just fine...

I have seen too many Ultra PSU's mess up. just replace it...I suggest a good 500-600 watt only to get max efficiency out of it. Your system should draw 250-300 max.....

Corsair has a nice picture of the efficiency of PSU's, not quite accurate but gives you the right idea of why a half loaded psu saves you power

A test done on SPCR

the 250-300watt zone is perfect on this psu.....well near perfect for a machine with your configuration....you may even be under 250....if your not over clocking and depending on other hardware like HDD's....but from 200-300 this thing is perfect for your system...

With you budget....hmmm lets see

Seasonic S12II 430W - 30 Amps
Antec Earthwatts 430W - 30 Amps on the 12 volt rail(s) - on sale often
Corsair CMPSU-450VX - 33 Amps on the 12 volt rail
OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS - They are unclear.... 30+ they have all the voltages rail combine.....so i assume the less 5 and 3.3 you use the more 12 you get....up to a point....
Zippy HG2-6400P - 12V @ 30 Amps on the 12 volt rail

the top 3 are all Seasonics.... Either way there are lots of PSU's around just make sure you get enough on the 12 volts rail,

I am more brave with my own stuff....
E6600 + X1900XT(similar power to your system) on a 380 watt antec with 18 amps

Your power supply has 2 PCIE connectors, each on a separate 12V rail. Your video card only has 1 PCIE power connector. Try switching the PCIE power connector on the video card to the other one. One of the 2 rails also powers the cpu. If this is the same rail as the connector on the video card it could draw near the max. power of the rail and cause the problem.

Another PSU that claims to comply with ATX 12V Ver. 2.2 specs, but doesn't. I wonder if any PSU manufacturers comply with it anymore. I guess we can just throw ATX12V Ver. 2.2 out the window.

TO make that more clear.....green to black....and some psu's will not run right without some load....