Low wattage PSU vs high wattage PSU

[SENOR BURTOS]

All things being equal, same platform, same fan, etc.

What changes? I guess the higher wattage model has rectifying diodes that can handle more current as well as capacitors with higher capacitance, bigger transformer maybe?

But I am not sure

 

[dshort01]

All things are not equal. A good computer power supply is one that will provide a constant voltage and current under various power conditions. Interruptions in power to the power supply whether it be a drop in voltage or an increase in voltage. The ability to provide the power needed that is being consumed. The ability to filter out noise in the line should it occur. All of the connections that you will need. I am not a power supply designer but Toms hardware has some excellent reviews on power supply's.

Wattage is simply voltage x (time) amps. The voltage is pretty simple but how much current you draw on your system (amps) will determine the wattage. It is generally better to have more wattage available than you will need for obvious reasons. Personally I have built many systems and never have I had a problem with a power supply. If you want to go to the effort you can calculate everything out. Takes a little research but it can be done. Go with more than you need. If you go with less wattage than you need it could be a problem.

 

[lumineZ]

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/2211-how-many-watts-does-a-gaming-pc-need-power-supplies?showall=1

 

[gondo]

You're correct. A certain design of a power supply will have the same circuit design regardless of wattage. Different wattages are just changes in part specs to support the large powers. Larger capacity transformers, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The performance of a particular power supply model should be pretty much the same regardless of which wattage capacity is chosen.

 

[SENOR BURTOS]

All things are not equal. A good computer power supply is one that will provide a constant voltage and current under various power conditions. Interruptions in power to the power supply whether it be a drop in voltage or an increase in voltage. The ability to provide the power needed that is being consumed. The ability to filter out noise in the line should it occur. All of the connections that you will need. I am not a power supply designer but Toms hardware has some excellent reviews on power supply's.

Wattage is simply voltage x (time) amps. The voltage is pretty simple but how much current you draw on your system (amps) will determine the wattage. It is generally better to have more wattage available than you will need for obvious reasons. Personally I have built many systems and never have I had a problem with a power supply. If you want to go to the effort you can calculate everything out. Takes a little research but it can be done. Go with more than you need. If you go with less wattage than you need it could be a problem.

Thanks but I know that and that isn't what I asked

 

[SENOR BURTOS]

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/2211-how-many-watts-does-a-gaming-pc-need-power-supplies?showall=1

But I didn't ask how many watts I needed

anyway, I've seen that article, power consumption seems to be too low, but what about peak power consumption?

It doesn't matter

I've heard that if a PSU can output 500W continous for example, and your system is drawing 550W it will only shut down if that is 550W continuos, if it's a 1ms-10 ms peak it can handle it as long as the parts inside are rated to do 550W

 

[SENOR BURTOS]

You're correct. A certain design of a power supply will have the same circuit design regardless of wattage. Different wattages are just changes in part specs to support the large powers. Larger capacity transformers, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The performance of a particular power supply model should be pretty much the same regardless of which wattage capacity is chosen.

Thanks

 

[jankerson]

https://www.gamersnexus.net/guides/2211-how-many-watts-does-a-gaming-pc-need-power-supplies?showall=1

But I didn't ask how many watts I needed

anyway, I've seen that article, power consumption seems to be too low, but what about peak power consumption?

It doesn't matter

I've heard that if a PSU can output 500W continous for example, and your system is drawing 550W it will only shut down if that is 550W continuos, if it's a 1ms-10 ms peak it can handle it as long as the parts inside are rated to do 550W

Not usually, no.

Now with HIGH QUALITY PSU's that might be true depending on the actual model. (That will vary greatly depending)

With lower quality units, nope, all around bad risking system damage and or a dumpster fire depending.

It's NEVER good to run any PSU at or near max capacity, always need to add 20% to 30% headroom of needed wattage.

PSU's operate best at around 50% load.

I have seen way too much under recommending wattage lately, some of it severe as peak power draw does actually matter.

 

[jankerson]

You're correct. A certain design of a power supply will have the same circuit design regardless of wattage. Different wattages are just changes in part specs to support the large powers. Larger capacity transformers, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The performance of a particular power supply model should be pretty much the same regardless of which wattage capacity is chosen.

NO, not really.

Depends on the actual platform as MOST PSU's don't use the same platform across the wattage range, especially the non OEM makers like Corsair, EVGA etc. A 450W, 550W, 650W, 750W, 850W might be completely different platforms supplied by different OEMs.

 

[SENOR BURTOS]

You're correct. A certain design of a power supply will have the same circuit design regardless of wattage. Different wattages are just changes in part specs to support the large powers. Larger capacity transformers, resistors, capacitors, and inductors. The performance of a particular power supply model should be pretty much the same regardless of which wattage capacity is chosen.

NO, not really.

Depends on the actual platform as MOST PSU's don't use the same platform across the wattage range, especially the non OEM makers like Corsair, EVGA etc. A 450W, 550W, 650W, 750W, 850W might be completely different platforms supplied by different OEMs.

Yea, right, they usually go with a higher-end platform for the high wattage models

 

[gondo]

They could go with a different platform for higher wattages, but not always. It depends on make and model. Check johnnyguru.com for a tear apart and review of power supplies to find out.