Power supply for the computer: the operating principle and the selection criteria

The main functions of the power supply

The immediate task of the computer unit - the right to convert the incoming alternating current of 220 volts in three different constant voltage. This will help to significantly reduce the burden on the motherboard, as well as its individual components. In addition, the device is able to stabilize the periodic jumps in the load on the graphics card and without detail easily fail.

Qualitative device able to establish stability, maintaining always the same voltage. The power supply unit has a powerful fan that facilitates rapid cooling of the air within the chamber system PC unit. From the indicators of the supply device determines whether the computer will be able to cope with the load, which is often the operating system due to load all details.

Design and Function

Your computer is also connected directly to the mains? Often this is the case, respectively, the device is exposed to the risk of burnout. To reduce this probability to a minimum it is advisable to buy a high quality power supply. But to understand the main aims of this mechanism, it is appropriate to examine its components.

1. Input filter. This mechanism of receiving electrical current from the network indicator 220 and converts it into an optimum for the operating system. At this stage, the reduction and elimination of pulsations arriving interference.
2. Pulse transformer facilitates the separation of a large AC power into smaller constants. It is due to this set voltage 220 decreases significantly.
3. Inverter voltage network frequency increases from 50 Hz to hundreds kHz, which saves power and installation size.
4. Standby transformer and a controller which controls the power supply ability run automatically every turn on your computer.
5. Rectifier AC signal for smoothing pulsations.
6. Group stabilizer. Such a mechanism may not be present in all models of PD (power units), and only in more expensive.
7. Signaling nodes trigger circuit that controls the voltage and permeable to the motherboard of the system unit.
8. Built-in fan, 120 mm in diameter. It promotes active cooling of the total block.

A more detailed arrangement of the components in the computer energizes the device, see the diagram in the instruction to the device.

Models, which provide the ability to disable idle devices on harnesses, are considered among the most prestigious among peers. In the era of flash drives virtually nobody uses DWD-rum, so it is allowed to be disconnected from the power supply.

Variety of power supplies for the computer

Virtually every system unit PC power is distinguished by its design features from one another. At this stage, it is advisable to allocate some species and to consider the characteristics of their operation.

• Modular mechanisms - are devices that make it possible not to supply the details of the system unit, if they are not used;
• with passive cooling mechanisms. These devices do not have built-in fan, but not bad cope with their tasks. These variants differ operation with low noise;
• semi-passive mechanisms. These provide for a powerful and bounding the cooling fan in addition to which there is a master controller.

Let's see some technological features of the existing mechanisms. In the production of electric feeding units present concept form factor. This means that some parts are interchangeable mechanism. If they fail, you can use a similar example from another model.

In December last year a trademark of Intel released a new version of the motherboard, which belongs to the family microATX. For details of such system provides individually manufactured and Small Form Factor type power supply.

Criteria for selection of the power supply for the computer

Before buying you should consider which of the PSU for the PC is better to buy, because the poor quality device breakdown of the specific details may "pull" for a connected components of the system unit. This may cause a fire and as a result of computer failure. So let's turn our attention to it, so as not to run into a similar problem.

Consider the power and form factor

First of all a user without experience should pay attention to what the form factor has a power supply. It is important that it fits in the PC system unit. To find out, it is worth noting a few varieties to electric devices, depending on their size:

• ATX - this option is most suitable for standard sistemnik, respectively, suitable for use on a home PC;
• SFX - this option fit in a small system units, which are considered advanced and come in our time. Often, similar options are chosen for children's computers or office machines;
• TFX - a model designed for deskoptnyh system units. They have narrow dimensions, respectively, the standard power supply to them is not appropriate;
• FLEX - is also intended for systemic unconventionally small blocks. Usually in such cases under the niche adapter narrowed, and therefore the power device should be appropriate.

What about power? First of all it is necessary to define in the system unit. It is recommended to study the review of each set and find the corresponding figure of consumption. As an option: go to the official website of the manufacturer of the machine parts and fold each performance. The resulting amount and will have a total capacity for which you should buy, and BP.

There is a way easier - longer suitable for amateurs who never seriously engaged in computers. All you need to do is identify the motherboard and power video. Typically, the remaining parts consume a tiny fraction of the electricity. Based on the resulting amount necessary to purchase power supply. However, you should choose a model that has a supply of power to the device is not constantly in the load. Let's see how this index varies on modern PSUs versions.

1. Low power - from 200 to 400 watts.
2. Average power - from 400 to 600 watts.
3. High power - from 650 and above.

Models of power supplies, which had a rate of 650 watts and more, is mounted on the gaming computers, so spend a lot of money is not rational for the home or office system unit.

Connectors for powering the motherboard and graphics card

When finished with power and have chosen a suitable embodiment the supply device, it is important to determine whether a sufficient number of connectors has a power supply unit. Standard outputs needed for power graphics cards and motherboard. Also, the adapter connects to the hard disk and, if any, additional SATA drives.

For example, the user has a multiprocessor computer, respectively, it is more appropriate to the block BP with two connectors 8 pin. For high-power multi-card system units have important BP with connectors 6 + 2 pin. To reserve it is necessary that the device was equipped with at least four connectors for SATA.

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Interface to connect internal drives and peripherals

As a supplement should be said about these connectors like SATA - they are new models of power supplies have a completely different interface and appearance of the wire. Previously, this configuration was used instead of the IDE interface, which was not always convenient when switching different sistemnika details.

In appearance, IDE and SATA connectors are significantly different, respectively, the former have some disadvantages with respect to the latter.

1. SATA works several times faster than IDE.
2. Wire IDE is much wider than the updated, so it takes a lot of space and to new types of drives are not suitable (unless you model has two types of connections).
3. Copying or transfer large data executed speedily on SATA.

Based on the proposed factors should be noted that even for your computer you must choose the model with the interface connector SATA.

Additional features of computer power supplies

Based on the fact that all the existing PC system details need food, you need to determine its rate of efficiency. To define the beginning, which represents the efficiency: the total amount of energy that is necessary for a useful performance computer; As a rule, the remnants of it is converted into heat.

All devices are equipped with a special certificate, which specifies the figure.

A good level of efficiency differs several advantages:

• better efficiency rate, the more effectively electricity is consumed regardless of the power supply unit;
• It has a minimum rate of heating, respectively cooling and heat dissipation is faster;
• long service life;
• minimum noise level, because the device does not work at full load;
• quality food for all components without significant errors.

New device models have a built-in activator such as Active Power Factor Correction, which applies to the improvement of efficiency and proper nutrition PC as a whole.

Safety options of computer power supplies

It is equally important to have a reliable power supply, and it is one that after some failures will continue to act normally. To acquire such a device, you need to ensure the presence on it of protective options. What is it, look on.

1. Surge Protection. This is a very useful feature, especially the current element is the regulator: it is able to protect the power supply from combustion.
2. Protection against electrical overload. The strength of the current transmitted from the network to the power supply, has value is exceeded, so the number of branches in an optimal volts for stable operation of the PC. When properly installed protection happens it triggered as soon as the current in the block reaches 20-25 A.
3. Protection against short-circuit. To this end, BP installed a special SCP scheme, which is already several decades recommends itself as a quality and durable mechanism. The base of this scheme - a pair of transistors.
4. Overheat protection. An integral feature of almost every block. OTP performs safety shutdown at a time when the board temperature reaches the limit value.
5. Nutrition Security. Optional type of protection OPP and OPL - it is realized by means of specially installed controller. The system is designed for monitoring the incoming current. If a threshold is exceeded, the power supply turns off the entire system unit.

If the PSU has a whole set of systems that carry out their work on a qualitative level, these models will last a long time.

How the cooling system PSUs

There are three hot air extraction zone. The cooling process is carried out three fans which are arranged at the central processor, the video card and the power supply. One of the common ways to cool the power supply for the PC is the introduction of the cooler 80 mm in diameter. After the block is started, the fan starts its operation and is distributed within the computer, giving the cooled airflow demanding areas. It thus work ATH12Vi SFH12V devices.

If we take, for example, STX12V model, there is still a bit different: there are established fans, not exceeding 60 mm in diameter. As a rule, these are some of the most expensive models that have the ability to adjust the speed of movement of the rotor fan.

Some model of PD will automatically adjust the speed only with the moment when the CPU is given an increased load. Due to the presence of the thermostat fan speed starts to vary from 1000 to 3000 rev / min.

Of great importance in the cooling fan is of the type lattice. The most pressing is considered to be made of steel wire with a small cross-section. This construction will transmit the air flow inside the system unit.

Top producers of food and popular model blocks

Undoubtedly, it is better to give preference to well-known manufacturers that offer instead of a decent quality and good performance. Therefore Tehno.guru edition offers to pay attention to several models below.

ACCORD ACC-450-12 450W - power supply unit with an easy way to install

When choosing a power supply for home or office PC with standard parameters, it should be noted the declared model as one of the best, simple, without serious bloat. The apparatus has a conventional fan 120 mm in diameter. Accordingly, only suitable for systemic usual parameter blocks.

Power supply ACCORD ACC-450-12 450W

Power supply Powerman PM-300ATX 300W

Narrow screen model power supply designed for such system units, which have a corresponding niche for installation. The apparatus is equipped with a standard cooling system, but has no grating is very convenient for the air outlet. However, it copes with the tasks assigned to it.

Power supply Powerman PM-300ATX 300W

Sea Sonic Electronics SSP-650RT 650W - high power unit for PC

This power system will approach the ideal way for a gaming computer. The apparatus is capable of maximum power the graphics devices. In addition, the block model is a standard appearance and optimally equipped grating for the release of air from the fan.

Sea Sonic Electronics SSP-650RT 650W

AeroCool KCAS PLUS 600W - standard high-capacity plant

The proposed variant of the power supply for the PC does not have any structural features as for the system of conventional size unit housing. It features high capacity, respectively, suitable to a system that is running multiple graphics cards and hard drives.

Power supply AeroCool KCAS PLUS 600W

11 Pure Power CM 500W - Modular Power Supply

Power supply in a robust housing with a properly manufactured bars. It is easy to install and an updated interface for the connection. This model is equipped with three types of protection, so it can be considered relatively safe.

Pure Power CM 500W 11

Dear users, be sure to ask questions in the comments, as well as consult on all sections of the article. In his reply, consider all the points, and give answers to questions.