[GTALUG] a quick question about power supplies?

[William Park]

On 2024-07-18 12:19, Karen Lewellen via talk wrote:
> Hi wise souls of computing.
> One of the creative problems going on with my recently built computer is 
> that the fan in the power supply no longer works.  Nor can I use the 

Power supply fan is usually temperature controlled, though the threshold 
could be adjustable.  If it's not turning, then it could be because the 
power supply is still not "hot" enough.

> power button to actually turn off the machine anymore.

It could be the button is not connected.

> When it gets too warm in fact, I must flip the switch on the supply in 
> the back..its scary, but so is overheating.

How do you know it's getting hot?

> 
> While I am still hunting for sighted help to fix the mess my prior 
> contact left behind..the cd rom is disconnected too, I want to plan 

Another indication that the button is not connected.

> properly for the power supply replacement.
> I have several, including at least one still in the box.
> I am quite sure that the power supply capacity is too low for the 
> several things the machine is doing, I have three hard drives in the 
> unit, several internal boards in use those kinds of things.

Except for graphic cards, I don't think you have to worry about power 
usage of cards.

> Is there a guide, or rule of fun, for  determine how much power capacity 
> a supply should provide based on how much work the computer processor 
> will be doing?

General rule I used (it's been long time since I bought anything 
computer related):
     - step 1 -- max cpu Watt + max graphic Watt + 10W/harddisk + 
motherboard itself.
     - step 2 -- your budget
     - step 3 -- get highest efficiency.
I bought cheapest Corsair "Gold" power supply at that time.  It was 
replaced under warranty, and still running.

>   With appreciation.
> Karen
> 
> 
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