PSU wattage nomenclature

[jolurove]

I have a Satellite PSU and im not sure about it's wattage it says power=235w max power=285w. Don't know wich one to look at. does anybody know what "real"wattage is? haven't found anything to read 🙁

 

[delluser1]

Do you mean a dedicated graphics psu or a psu by a company named Satellite ?

285 watts is more than likely the peak rating of the unit, with 235 watts being the max continuous output..
Peak power is only sustainable for a few seconds at a time.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

I checked the OEM manufacturers list and came up blank.

 

[jolurove]

It's a brand of psu, cases, keyboards and such... www.satellite-computer.com anyway the real wattage is 235... Should I always look at the lower numer?

 

[jolurove]

I'm from Paraguay, wich is in South America... Here when you buy a PSU they tell you "it's a REAL 400W psu" That being the lower number on the case I think... It's quite confusing for me

 

[delluser1]

It's a brand of psu, cases, keyboards and such... www.satellite-computer.com anyway the real wattage is 235... Should I always look at the lower numer?

Personally, I 'd be afraid.
The label for the only "235 watt" unit on that site says that the +rails are only capable of 199 watts, that's the "real" power of the unit and one of the things you should be looking at.
The little voltage switch and 65% efficiency rating add to the fear factor.

PS; Is this running the system in your sig ?

 

[jolurove]

No... It isn't. I have it on another more modest one.. I installed an old geforce 8400 the other day and got a lot of artifacts on SimCity 4 That's when I begun to worry. I'm plannig on buying a 400W psu In the near future. Thanks a lot

 

[jsc]

Ignore "peak" ratings. It's advertising. "295 watts peak" sounds better than "235 watts continuous". And that's even assuming that a cheap PSU will work at its advertised "continuous" ratings.

 

[hunter315]

ignore wattage ratings all together if you can see the sticker on the side. Generally they will tell you the combined 12V output in either watts or amps, if they give it in amps multiply it by 12V to get the wattage rating. Most of your power in a modern system is drawn from the 12V rail so about 75% or more of the rated power should be on that rail. If you are only given peak and continuous, always go for the lower number because with a power supply, if you try to get it to give more than it can you risk blowing it.

 

[jolurove]

Thanks a lot for all your answers! you really clariffied it to me 😀

 

[jolurove]

Best answer selected by jolurove.