A second power supply??? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dj_simo · 08-01-2003, 09:20 AM

How would you recommend i put a second power supply in
should i just get a more powerful one - or get a second
all info would be most helpful

-SImo

tronims · 08-01-2003, 09:50 AM

What would the second being used for? I would say in most cases that a better one is an order.

dj_simo · 08-01-2003, 10:31 AM

its gunna be used to power the cathodes, fans and cd roms - leave the other one i got for hard drives and motherboard

tinfoil · 08-01-2003, 10:34 AM

It would be somewhat easier to just do a more powerfull, single PS.

ATX power supplies require a load / motherboard to be in the circuit to turn on, if I am not mistaken. Simulating that load would be trivial for someone properly trained, but I certainly wouldn't be able to tell you how.

dj_simo · 08-01-2003, 11:03 AM

thanks man - for now - im gunna go with a higher power PS
for now its working fine

The_Dude · 08-01-2003, 12:20 PM

yeah, that's definately the solution.

but, on my old compaq, i couldnt just find any PS to go with it.

at one point, i thought about cutting a whole on the side and adding another PS to it.

then i built this pc

darkure · 08-01-2003, 03:31 PM

I believe there is one wire that powers the motherboard in that big bunch of wires that connects to the motherboard. It is a different color (green possibly) than all the others. You just need to connect this to any black (ground) wire. I could be wrong as I have never done this and I am color-blind so I can't really try it out myself right now. Wait until someone who can see right can give you a better answer.

By connecting this two wires you complete the circuit and then when you switch the power on the back of the PSU to on, the power should go. But do be careful and mind my warning above.

dj_simo · 08-01-2003, 05:14 PM

alright - keep the comments coming
Thanks guys
-SImo

Halx · 08-01-2003, 05:24 PM

I am running a new setup with 5 HDs,2 CD-ROMS, and a full palate of PCI cards, and a 400 watt power supply manages it beautifully (even has nice colored lights that keep me up at night) and I know a 330 could also manage it if I wanted to make it.

dj_simo · 08-01-2003, 05:33 PM

wow - 5 hard drives - awesome - i got 2 myself

yakimushi · 08-01-2003, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkure
I believe there is one wire that powers the motherboard in that big bunch of wires that connects to the motherboard. It is a different color (green possibly) than all the others. You just need to connect this to any black (ground) wire. I could be wrong as I have never done this and I am color-blind so I can't really try it out myself right now. Wait until someone who can see right can give you a better answer.

By connecting this two wires you complete the circuit and then when you switch the power on the back of the PSU to on, the power should go. But do be careful and mind my warning above.

Yep. You're right.

Its the green wire next to the black one. There's one other green wire but its not next to any black ones so it won't work.

Just take a paperclip, unfold it into a "u" shape, and stick both ends into the green and black terminals. Leave it in there, the PS is on, pull it out, PS turns off. Its a great way to power fans without turning on the computer, or just to test the power supply.

Caphreak · 08-01-2003, 05:52 PM

I know a guy who has two cases kind of fused together w/ power running back and forth, im not sure where he got all his hardware, i know he's got some industry connections, but he runs 8hds, and somehow the components of 2 mobos all into one operating shell(some form of linux) he was using all the power he could get out of two 400w ps's

Vanquish · 08-01-2003, 08:06 PM

All you need to run 2 Power Supplies is a older AT based power supply. All the output voltages are the same but it has a hardwired switch running out from the PS itself. I am going to do this soon because I have too much hardware in my system and my 5v rail is dipping when my 4x100gb RAID array kicks in.

Soggybagel · 08-02-2003, 10:42 AM

Just forget 2 power supplies. Its really more hassle than is required. I know for a fact there are PS rated to 550 watts.

crashoverride · 08-02-2003, 12:03 PM

getting a second power supply is just wasting money. A single 350W+ power supply is enough for everything.

Redjake · 08-02-2003, 04:41 PM

make sure you get a GOOD QUALITY power supply. a 400 watt "random brand name" power supply is equal to a 250 or 300 watt Enermax or Sparkle. I've blown 3 power supplies now, and it took all three for me to learn that you just have to spend money on these things if you are running a lot of hardware

poof · 08-02-2003, 05:25 PM

<i>"A single 350W+ power supply is enough for everything."</i>. Not really true. Enermax has worked very nicely for me. I had a 430 that I use as a spare and am running a 550 right now. We all have different specs and stuff in our boxes. Blanket statements about power needs is not really a good thing. Do the math, figure what you need. AMD has a formula for figuring power needs at their website.

poof · 08-02-2003, 05:32 PM

As mentioned in my last post, <a href="http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_3734_4348,00.html">here is the AMD link</a> for power supplies, cooling fans, and more.

Dilbert1234567 · 08-04-2003, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by darkure
I believe there is one wire that powers the motherboard in that big bunch of wires that connects to the motherboard. It is a different color (green possibly) than all the others. You just need to connect this to any black (ground) wire. I could be wrong as I have never done this and I am color-blind so I can't really try it out myself right now. Wait until someone who can see right can give you a better answer.

By connecting this two wires you complete the circuit and then when you switch the power on the back of the PSU to on, the power should go. But do be careful and mind my warning above.

green to black is how you turn on the power supply (ATX only )

(ATX is the standard type been around for like 3 - 4 years)

Tickford · 08-04-2003, 03:03 AM

I reckon one big power supply and make it a good brand..... 400w ps are so cheap now anyways....

sandeep · 08-04-2003, 04:19 PM

As a few have said, you'll probably be better off with just a bit more juice in the single PSU.

If you're getting coloured cathodes and all that mess, chances are a second PSU will be a sore thumb in your setup.

I'm using a 350 right now running a CDRW, a floppy, 4 7200 RPM HDDs, an XP 1900+ and a neat little pile of PCI cards.

You don't want to drain power from your components, but at the same time I persoanlly think that a second unit will just cause problems in space, as well as aesthetics.

TheFirstDuffMan · 08-04-2003, 06:04 PM

Just FYI: Connect pin14 to any ground for it to turn on. Or you could get an AT PSU and turn it on and off manually, just don't put anything vital on it.

GlassHouse420 · 08-04-2003, 08:07 PM

its not worth it, a 400+W psu can power more than enough stuff...
a second psu would probly only need to be used on a peltier cooling system

merkerguitars · 08-04-2003, 08:24 PM

Like many others have said...just get one big kick ass one and save yourself alot of hassle.

Jolt · 08-04-2003, 08:31 PM

I recall once seeing one of the Novell servers at the local Univ powered by two desktop supplies duct-taped together, hanging out of the open case, because the original one had gone south and they needed to keep the machine up waiting for the replacement.

The biggest question when dealing with multiple supplies is...where the heck are you going to PUT the second one...?

If you have an outsize tower, a Baby-AT or standard form factor ATX supply might fit into two drivebays...but it's going to look like crap.

I agree with what others have said above...just get a single stronger one, but make sure it's a *good* one, not a $19 special from the monthly computer show at the convention center...

One of my computers has two supplies because it's two physical units - a tower for the brains, and a separate one for some of the drives. The machine has 5 SCSI busses on 3 controllers

08-04-2003, 08:42 PM

The second one is only going to help you from a redundancy standpoint, really.

I run all my mods (few lights, some EL cable), and all my computer shizzat (Radeon 9700 included) on a 350 - I've seen a 500 somewhere not long ago.

If you're going to REALLY trick it out, I would go for a 450 or so if you're concerned. That would also depend on the equipment inside the box.

I can recommend Antec PS's - I've had two and they're great.

/\/\etalhea|) · 08-07-2003, 07:38 PM

I have two PS's. One (high quality) runs the mobo, hard drive, cd, cdr, dvd. Just the core components. The other (just standard quality) runs all mods. I think this is wise in that most mods (lights, special fans, etc.) are third party foreign-made parts that were adapted from some other previous use, like automotive mods. Does it make sense to fry a $1000 mobo/processor because you wired a $20 light to it? Not to me.

Also, fwiw, the pump on my cooling system is standalone 120V, so that I can still run coolant over the processor after shutdown. This also makes sense if you think about it. When you turn off the mobo, the processor is at operating temp. If you're fan cooling, the processor experiences the same kinda thing that would happen if the fan failed, and it experiences this everytime you shut down. With a coolant system like mine, you can allow the proc. to cool down slowly, that's gotta be the better way.

08-01-2003, 09:20 AM	#1 (permalink)
dj_simo Crazy Location: The Woods	A second power supply??? How would you recommend i put a second power supply in should i just get a more powerful one - or get a second all info would be most helpful -SImo __________________ .:GOT SIMO:.

08-01-2003, 10:31 AM	#3 (permalink)
dj_simo Crazy Location: The Woods	its gunna be used to power the cathodes, fans and cd roms - leave the other one i got for hard drives and motherboard __________________ .:GOT SIMO:.

08-01-2003, 10:34 AM	#4 (permalink)
tinfoil Fucking Hostile Location: Springford, ON, Canada	It would be somewhat easier to just do a more powerfull, single PS. ATX power supplies require a load / motherboard to be in the circuit to turn on, if I am not mistaken. Simulating that load would be trivial for someone properly trained, but I certainly wouldn't be able to tell you how. __________________ Get off your fuckin cross. We need the fuckin space to nail the next fool martyr.

08-01-2003, 11:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
dj_simo Crazy Location: The Woods	thanks man - for now - im gunna go with a higher power PS for now its working fine __________________ .:GOT SIMO:.

08-01-2003, 12:20 PM	#6 (permalink)
The_Dude The GrandDaddy of them all! Location: Austin, TX	yeah, that's definately the solution. but, on my old compaq, i couldnt just find any PS to go with it. at one point, i thought about cutting a whole on the side and adding another PS to it. then i built this pc __________________ "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity." - Darrel K Royal

08-01-2003, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
tronims Tilted	What would the second being used for? I would say in most cases that a better one is an order.

08-01-2003, 03:31 PM	#7 (permalink)
darkure Addict Location: Dodging the ice pick	I believe there is one wire that powers the motherboard in that big bunch of wires that connects to the motherboard. It is a different color (green possibly) than all the others. You just need to connect this to any black (ground) wire. I could be wrong as I have never done this and I am color-blind so I can't really try it out myself right now. Wait until someone who can see right can give you a better answer. By connecting this two wires you complete the circuit and then when you switch the power on the back of the PSU to on, the power should go. But do be careful and mind my warning above. __________________ COYW

08-01-2003, 05:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
dj_simo Crazy Location: The Woods	alright - keep the comments coming Thanks guys -SImo __________________ .:GOT SIMO:.

08-01-2003, 05:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
Halx Please touch this. Owner/Admin Location: Manhattan	I am running a new setup with 5 HDs,2 CD-ROMS, and a full palate of PCI cards, and a 400 watt power supply manages it beautifully (even has nice colored lights that keep me up at night) and I know a 330 could also manage it if I wanted to make it. __________________ You have found this post informative. -The Administrator [Don't Feed The Animals]

08-01-2003, 05:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
dj_simo Crazy Location: The Woods	wow - 5 hard drives - awesome - i got 2 myself __________________ .:GOT SIMO:.

08-01-2003, 05:52 PM	#12 (permalink)
Caphreak Insane Location: Ames, IA	I know a guy who has two cases kind of fused together w/ power running back and forth, im not sure where he got all his hardware, i know he's got some industry connections, but he runs 8hds, and somehow the components of 2 mobos all into one operating shell(some form of linux) he was using all the power he could get out of two 400w ps's

08-01-2003, 08:06 PM	#13 (permalink)
Vanquish Insane Location: Truro, Nova Scotia	All you need to run 2 Power Supplies is a older AT based power supply. All the output voltages are the same but it has a hardwired switch running out from the PS itself. I am going to do this soon because I have too much hardware in my system and my 5v rail is dipping when my 4x100gb RAID array kicks in.

08-02-2003, 10:42 AM	#14 (permalink)
Soggybagel Psycho Location: Lovely City #1	Just forget 2 power supplies. Its really more hassle than is required. I know for a fact there are PS rated to 550 watts.

08-02-2003, 12:03 PM	#15 (permalink)
crashoverride Crazy	getting a second power supply is just wasting money. A single 350W+ power supply is enough for everything.

08-02-2003, 04:41 PM	#16 (permalink)
Redjake I'm a family man - I run a family business. Location: Wilson, NC	make sure you get a GOOD QUALITY power supply. a 400 watt "random brand name" power supply is equal to a 250 or 300 watt Enermax or Sparkle. I've blown 3 power supplies now, and it took all three for me to learn that you just have to spend money on these things if you are running a lot of hardware

08-02-2003, 05:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
poof Psycho	<i>"A single 350W+ power supply is enough for everything."</i>. Not really true. Enermax has worked very nicely for me. I had a 430 that I use as a spare and am running a 550 right now. We all have different specs and stuff in our boxes. Blanket statements about power needs is not really a good thing. Do the math, figure what you need. AMD has a formula for figuring power needs at their website. Last edited by poof; 08-02-2003 at 05:35 PM..

08-02-2003, 05:32 PM	#18 (permalink)
poof Psycho	As mentioned in my last post, <a href="http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_3734_4348,00.html">here is the AMD link</a> for power supplies, cooling fans, and more.

08-04-2003, 03:03 AM	#20 (permalink)
Tickford Insane Location: Australia	I reckon one big power supply and make it a good brand..... 400w ps are so cheap now anyways.... __________________ Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist ought to have his head examined. Samuel Goldwyn

08-04-2003, 04:19 PM	#21 (permalink)
sandeep Insane	As a few have said, you'll probably be better off with just a bit more juice in the single PSU. If you're getting coloured cathodes and all that mess, chances are a second PSU will be a sore thumb in your setup. I'm using a 350 right now running a CDRW, a floppy, 4 7200 RPM HDDs, an XP 1900+ and a neat little pile of PCI cards. You don't want to drain power from your components, but at the same time I persoanlly think that a second unit will just cause problems in space, as well as aesthetics.

08-04-2003, 06:04 PM	#22 (permalink)
TheFirstDuffMan Tilted	Just FYI: Connect pin14 to any ground for it to turn on. Or you could get an AT PSU and turn it on and off manually, just don't put anything vital on it.

08-04-2003, 08:07 PM	#23 (permalink)
GlassHouse420 Hysterical And Useless Location: In a cage, on antibiotics	its not worth it, a 400+W psu can power more than enough stuff... a second psu would probly only need to be used on a peltier cooling system __________________ notlivingjustkillingtime

08-04-2003, 08:24 PM	#24 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Like many others have said...just get one big kick ass one and save yourself alot of hassle. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

08-04-2003, 08:31 PM	#25 (permalink)
Jolt Insane Location: Over here	I recall once seeing one of the Novell servers at the local Univ powered by two desktop supplies duct-taped together, hanging out of the open case, because the original one had gone south and they needed to keep the machine up waiting for the replacement. The biggest question when dealing with multiple supplies is...where the heck are you going to PUT the second one...? If you have an outsize tower, a Baby-AT or standard form factor ATX supply might fit into two drivebays...but it's going to look like crap. I agree with what others have said above...just get a single stronger one, but make sure it's a good one, not a $19 special from the monthly computer show at the convention center... One of my computers has two supplies because it's two physical units - a tower for the brains, and a separate one for some of the drives. The machine has 5 SCSI busses on 3 controllers

08-04-2003, 08:42 PM	#26 (permalink)
Achernar Guest	The second one is only going to help you from a redundancy standpoint, really. I run all my mods (few lights, some EL cable), and all my computer shizzat (Radeon 9700 included) on a 350 - I've seen a 500 somewhere not long ago. If you're going to REALLY trick it out, I would go for a 450 or so if you're concerned. That would also depend on the equipment inside the box. I can recommend Antec PS's - I've had two and they're great.

08-07-2003, 07:38 PM	#27 (permalink)
/\/\etalhea\|) Tilted Location: Dee mtns. of VA	I have two PS's. One (high quality) runs the mobo, hard drive, cd, cdr, dvd. Just the core components. The other (just standard quality) runs all mods. I think this is wise in that most mods (lights, special fans, etc.) are third party foreign-made parts that were adapted from some other previous use, like automotive mods. Does it make sense to fry a $1000 mobo/processor because you wired a $20 light to it? Not to me. Also, fwiw, the pump on my cooling system is standalone 120V, so that I can still run coolant over the processor after shutdown. This also makes sense if you think about it. When you turn off the mobo, the processor is at operating temp. If you're fan cooling, the processor experiences the same kinda thing that would happen if the fan failed, and it experiences this everytime you shut down. With a coolant system like mine, you can allow the proc. to cool down slowly, that's gotta be the better way.
$/\/\etalhea\|) is offline$