How do I ensure my compenents don't get fried?

darkfenix101 · 04-24-2009, 01:55 AM

I hear stories about PSU's just frying and taking components of(if not the entire) system down with it. Do PSU manufacturers cover this kind of damage and if not is there a way to limit this from happening?

On the power supply calc it says i need about 750w. What kind of power supply do I need and what is the most reliable one I can find so I don't get screwed out of $1500??

Thanks

**wrench97** · 04-26-2009, 03:16 AM

Quality power supplies have over current and over voltage protection built in the better the psu the better these protection circuits are have a read through the power supply sticky there is a link in my signature below.
What CPU,Video card are you using?

darkfenix101 · 04-26-2009, 07:44 PM

I plan to use a gtx 275 or 4890 and eventually sli/xfire down the road. I'm leaning towards 4890 on accoutn of dx 10.1 which will help when dx11 comes out. I've already purchased a 920 i7

**Net Jockey** · 04-26-2009, 08:56 PM

According to your response it does not appear that your read the link...you were requested to read.

So here you are...What one needs to know about...the relation of the negative effects of heat on the computer...That can be caused by the power supply.

Manufacturers test their PSU's at a set temperature...from this their rating is determined... for most this No. is 25 degrees Celsius...which falls short of the temperature that most computers are capable of achieving.

Given that a PSU will actually lose 2-5 watts per one degree of heat above the 25 Degree Celsius testing temperature...coupled with the fact that computers tend to run at 10 degrees higher than room temperature... In the summer time when the room temperature can easily reach 80 degrees F... your computer will be running at 33 Degrees C. or 90 Degrees F.

So the...math can make...your 500 watt power supply into a 460 watt unit.

In addition to this...what needs to be taken into account is that each degree that your computer components are operating at...under powered...adds more heat to the equation.

Consider also...the possibility...that ratings given by the manufacturer of single components...such as graphics cards...need to be treated with skepticism... Manufacturers may minimize support issues and under rate the power required...in order to make a larger profit.

The above has not taken into account...the issue of high quality vs poor quality units...Power supplies convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels used by the PC. During this conversion, some power is lost as heat. The efficiency level of the PSU determines how much extra power must be put into the power supply to run the PC. A high quality PSU can help reduce the noise and heat generated within a computer system. The higher the efficiency rating the less heat the PSU has to deal with.

Therefore heat is the computers enemy...The hotter the temperature your PSU is forced to run at...the poorer the supply of power the rest of the components will receive...which has been known to lead to such things as crashes, freezing, rebooting, BSOD’s, and video distortion, as well as partial and complete failure of other components.

The fact is very few PSU’s are capable of producing the wattage that the companies advertise.

For a very good comprehension of recommended brand names, wattage, and models in listed categories...Plus much more...check out this link. Power Supply Information and Selection

04-24-2009, 01:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
darkfenix101 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	How do I ensure my compenents don't get fried? I hear stories about PSU's just frying and taking components of(if not the entire) system down with it. Do PSU manufacturers cover this kind of damage and if not is there a way to limit this from happening? On the power supply calc it says i need about 750w. What kind of power supply do I need and what is the most reliable one I can find so I don't get screwed out of $1500?? Thanks

04-26-2009, 03:16 AM	#2 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,444 OS: Win7	Re: How do I ensure my compenents don't get fried? Quality power supplies have over current and over voltage protection built in the better the psu the better these protection circuits are have a read through the power supply sticky there is a link in my signature below. What CPU,Video card are you using? __________________ Power Supply and Selection

04-26-2009, 07:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
darkfenix101 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2 OS: Windows XP	Re: How do I ensure my compenents don't get fried? I plan to use a gtx 275 or 4890 and eventually sli/xfire down the road. I'm leaning towards 4890 on accoutn of dx 10.1 which will help when dx11 comes out. I've already purchased a 920 i7

04-26-2009, 08:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Net Jockey TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Deroche BC. Canada Posts: 565 OS: XP Pro sp 3 My System	Re: How do I ensure my compenents don't get fried? According to your response it does not appear that your read the link...you were requested to read. So here you are...What one needs to know about...the relation of the negative effects of heat on the computer...That can be caused by the power supply. Manufacturers test their PSU's at a set temperature...from this their rating is determined... for most this No. is 25 degrees Celsius...which falls short of the temperature that most computers are capable of achieving. Given that a PSU will actually lose 2-5 watts per one degree of heat above the 25 Degree Celsius testing temperature...coupled with the fact that computers tend to run at 10 degrees higher than room temperature... In the summer time when the room temperature can easily reach 80 degrees F... your computer will be running at 33 Degrees C. or 90 Degrees F. So the...math can make...your 500 watt power supply into a 460 watt unit. In addition to this...what needs to be taken into account is that each degree that your computer components are operating at...under powered...adds more heat to the equation. Consider also...the possibility...that ratings given by the manufacturer of single components...such as graphics cards...need to be treated with skepticism... Manufacturers may minimize support issues and under rate the power required...in order to make a larger profit. The above has not taken into account...the issue of high quality vs poor quality units...Power supplies convert voltages from wall outlets to lower levels used by the PC. During this conversion, some power is lost as heat. The efficiency level of the PSU determines how much extra power must be put into the power supply to run the PC. A high quality PSU can help reduce the noise and heat generated within a computer system. The higher the efficiency rating the less heat the PSU has to deal with. Therefore heat is the computers enemy...The hotter the temperature your PSU is forced to run at...the poorer the supply of power the rest of the components will receive...which has been known to lead to such things as crashes, freezing, rebooting, BSOD’s, and video distortion, as well as partial and complete failure of other components. The fact is very few PSU’s are capable of producing the wattage that the companies advertise. For a very good comprehension of recommended brand names, wattage, and models in listed categories...Plus much more...check out this link. Power Supply Information and Selection