[wplug] Since we're off topic

[Brian S. Woolstrum]

One thing nobody seems to be taking into consideration is
that while the overall wattage maybe a certain value, the
individual parts don't pull their power from that one
overall large source.  Instead everything gets branched
off.

To give an overly simplified example, let's say that
a 300 watt power supply is split into three branches.
One for each of 3 different voltage levels, +3.3 volts, +5
volts, and +12 volts.  And lets say that the power is
distributed equally to each of those branches, so 100 watts
on each one.  Now, say for instance that your system is
using 30 watts from the +3.3, 95 watts from the +5, and 10
watts from the +12 for a total of 135 watts.  Now you want
to add something that needs +5 volts, and is going to draw
15 watts.  We can't just say that 135+15=150 which is only
half of our 300 watt power supply so we're good.  What will
happen is there will now be 110 watts being drawn from a
branch that can only support 100 watts, and something could burn
out.  So in this case a 200 watt power supply could be
sufficient if the power were divided up slightly different.

On Wed, 4 Feb 2004, Vanco, Don wrote:

> Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 11:52:18 -0500
> From: "Vanco, Don" <don.vanco at agilysys.com>
> Reply-To: wplug at wplug.org
> To: "'wplug at wplug.org'" <wplug at wplug.org>
> Subject: RE: [wplug] Since we're off topic
>
> someone @wplug.org wrote:
> > 	And what kind of CPU do you have in this? Anything over 800Mhz,
> > your 300-watt power supply, is just not going to cut it.
>
> 	Not necessarily a true statement.  See:
> http://tinyurl.com/3953x
>
> 	I have a 300Watt supply that runs a system that a "bargain" 450
> could not.
>
> YMMV
> Don
>
> PS:
> >Don't bother with 40-gig disks. Go with 80s or 120s. Buy online!
> 	CompUSA has a sale currently - 160GB 7200RPM 8MB cache for $89.00
> after rebates (and $.01 delivery if you purchase enough $$).  Just got two -
> "TiVo to DVD" really eats up the space!
> _______________________________________________
> wplug mailing list
> wplug at wplug.org
> http://www.wplug.org/mailman/listinfo/wplug
>

Brian S. Woolstrum   KB3KJH
Principal System/Software Engineer
Carnegie Mellon University Libraries
4909 Frew Street, Hunt Library
Pittsburgh, PA  15213
412-268-2317