How to choose a power supply and then gnaw elbows

Most (if not all) of selling computer power supply units are assembled in China.Of course, the statement that "China China - strife" has not been canceled, but the quality of the bulk of these devices, to put it mildly, is low.This fact is no one is hiding, so often raised the question of how to choose a power supply.Moreover, even renowned manufacturers often indicate inflated values ​​by 20 percent rated currents.In principle, they can be understood, because in the face of fierce market competition to the survival of all good, but what the user ... it remains very scrutinize the passport data of equipment and a good understanding of how to choose a power supply for the computer.That's what we are today and we'll talk.

power supply unit is in the computer and supplies electricity to all the components.In general, the tasks assigned to it is fairly straightforward and long ago successfully solved in electrical engineering: the input supplied standard 220 VAC, while the output is a whole bunch of DC power - 3, 5, 12, and both polarities.If the consultant in the store computing ask the question "How to choose a power supply?", He, of course, will advise the best solution, but added that the units is recommended to be changed every 1-2 years.This is an important addition to which hardly anyone follows, and in vain.Internal components switching power supply over time cease to comply with the stated specifications (for example, dry capacitors), so it should be changed.

So, how to choose a power supply?The first sign of a good indirect block - its weight.It sounds funny, but it's true.Switching power supply - a rather complex product requiring careful repetition pattern during assembly.If you discover cheap Chinese unit, the circuit board will surprise its emptiness: on the spot marked elements soldered jumper, and the radiator can not be called massive.Therefore, when choosing not ashamed to assess the weight of the unit by hand.

second recommendation known to everyone who has ever read a little, how to choose a power supply.Yet we repeat: as far as possible it makes sense to collect the little "extra" funds to buy the product and well-known companies - GlacialPower, Zalman, FSP, and so on. This unit will ensure reliable operation of the computer, since its parameters are more or less correspond to the necessary.Here is an example of life: there are two power supply - GlacialPower 450 W and Codegen 250 watts.We compare the nameplate data and ... understand that everyone has their own math.The total declared capacity for Codegen plus-lines 3 and 5 is the same parameter at GlacialPower!The conclusion is obvious - buy cheap Chinese units is possible, but with a double supply of power and do not use them more than a year.In addition, branded products support different "goodies" such as intelligent fan control, which means less valuable silence during operation.

In modern systems, the main burden falls on the line 5 and 3.3V, so it is necessary to select the unit of the maximum current of these lines (the higher the better).The sticker with passport data, these values ​​are always given.If the capacity of these lines is less than the processor, it is looking for a more efficient model.

Before going to the store recommended to calculate the power supply unit.For this there are special programs or websites.You must specify the type of processor, graphics, memory, and so forth. At the same time remember that the resulting value will be indicative, and the model should be chosen as "the calculated value of 20%."

summarize:

- forward power required;

- choose heavier power supply company;

- we see that the power of the +5 V and +3.3 enough.

Additionally, you can pay attention to the amount of power connectors: sometimes connectors for SATA hard drives is not enough and we have to use adapters from Molex, which is not very convenient.