Power vs Hard Drive Temps

jago · 10-03-2005, 09:24 PM

Hello all. An odd question for you hardware savvy guys...

do hard drive temperatures go up if you tax the power supply more then it can handle? That's what it has seemed like on 2 computers I've worked on...

thanks,
j

golith · 10-04-2005, 10:21 AM

The thing here is that the HDD does not have fans to cool the thing down. The power issue of running the PSU hot so to speak would more result in the PSU failing as the current being drawn places the load on the PSU not the other equipment. The other devices connected don't realise that there is an undersupply (due to PSU overload) and cut back or go into an economy mode, they either draw the current or not and if there is a 'sag' then it is either compensated momentarily by internal resistors, capasitors and alike or shut down either hard/soft.

What is the internal temp of the chasis running normal then when the PSU has been overloaded.
What is the temp of the HDD normal and with the PSU overloaded?
Where is the HDD in relation to the PSU?
Is the any fans to compensate for the increased heat issue of the PSU?

Remember its not that the HDD has to work harder but an environmental issue. The HDD was designed with Max operability at max temp. The operability will decrease as the Max temp is exceded, benchmark the HDD in both environments if you need to see more. If the HDD had to increase its workload then it must pull more amps from the PSU not the otherway round and this is already compensated for by the manufacturer.

The only waning i would give you is that if there is any type of problem when your taxing the PSU and a PCB dies while running then a spike may occur for that nanosecond but its all it takes to fry the MOBO resistors or arc for a nanosecond and fry other parts as well.

**linderman** · 10-04-2005, 05:01 PM

If your question is can a failing PSU burn up a hard drive / the answer is You bettcha !!

use everest home edition (free)
to monitor your system temps, cpu temps, sytem voltages, hard drive temps ~~ i think so

http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...?pid=1&lang=en

run your computer with the antivirus scanner scanning for viruses while at the same time run defrag and run your spyware scanner / after these things have all been running for 20 minutes take your system readings then post in here for evaluation

PS . max operating temp for most hard drives is 55C

ask more questions if needed

good evening

joe

10-03-2005, 09:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
jago Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 9 OS: XP	Power vs Hard Drive Temps Hello all. An odd question for you hardware savvy guys... do hard drive temperatures go up if you tax the power supply more then it can handle? That's what it has seemed like on 2 computers I've worked on... thanks, j

10-04-2005, 10:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
golith Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Adelaide Posts: 120 OS: 98/XP/LINUX	The thing here is that the HDD does not have fans to cool the thing down. The power issue of running the PSU hot so to speak would more result in the PSU failing as the current being drawn places the load on the PSU not the other equipment. The other devices connected don't realise that there is an undersupply (due to PSU overload) and cut back or go into an economy mode, they either draw the current or not and if there is a 'sag' then it is either compensated momentarily by internal resistors, capasitors and alike or shut down either hard/soft. What is the internal temp of the chasis running normal then when the PSU has been overloaded. What is the temp of the HDD normal and with the PSU overloaded? Where is the HDD in relation to the PSU? Is the any fans to compensate for the increased heat issue of the PSU? Remember its not that the HDD has to work harder but an environmental issue. The HDD was designed with Max operability at max temp. The operability will decrease as the Max temp is exceded, benchmark the HDD in both environments if you need to see more. If the HDD had to increase its workload then it must pull more amps from the PSU not the otherway round and this is already compensated for by the manufacturer. The only waning i would give you is that if there is any type of problem when your taxing the PSU and a PCB dies while running then a spike may occur for that nanosecond but its all it takes to fry the MOBO resistors or arc for a nanosecond and fry other parts as well. __________________ Of all the things I've ever missed, I miss my mind the most :)

10-04-2005, 05:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,437 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	If your question is can a failing PSU burn up a hard drive / the answer is You bettcha !! use everest home edition (free) to monitor your system temps, cpu temps, sytem voltages, hard drive temps ~~ i think so http://www.lavalys.com/products/over...?pid=1&lang=en run your computer with the antivirus scanner scanning for viruses while at the same time run defrag and run your spyware scanner / after these things have all been running for 20 minutes take your system readings then post in here for evaluation PS . max operating temp for most hard drives is 55C ask more questions if needed good evening joe __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial