Single or multiple +12V better?

[scottiemedic]

Like it says, mainly cause I don't fully understand, is a Single +12V or multiple (like 4 +12V) rails better in a PSU?

 

[Andrewcba]

No it really doesn't matter at all in my opinion. Its more of a gimmick then anything to have more then 1 rail. They also claim its safer and cleaner to have more rails but I don't know if thats true.

 

[scottiemedic]

I would think having more rails has higher chance for failure, but on the same hand if you have a single rail and lose it, the whole PSU is gone. Hmm, can a PSU with multiple rails work if one of the rails goes out?

 

[scottiemedic]

Just read thru Wikipedia on PSUs and am more confused than before... Grrr

 

[Andrewcba]

Yea I went through the same process my self asking the same question. If a rail goes out im pretty sure your whole power supply is useless so that dosent matter but I hope this clears some things up for you. http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/306437-28-single-rail-multiple-rails-eternal-question-answered
Also the main points about a power supply that I found out is pretty much just correct watts the amount of voltage and amps through the rail, the correct connections, and the overall build quality. Here is what im about to buy and its one of the best and its also a single rail. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=17-151-105&SortField=0&SummaryType=0&Pagesize=10&PurchaseMark=&SelectedRating=5&VideoOnlyMark=False&VendorMark=&IsFeedbackTab=true&Keywords=%28keywords%29&Page=1#scrollFullInfo

 

[Deleted member 217926]

Years ago the thought was a single strong 12v rail was better than multiple rails. I believe power supplies have come along way since then and to be honest as long as a power supply does well in real testing I don't even look at that anymore.

I'm sure you have seen this site before but here is everything you ever wanted to know about power supplies. It lists manufacturers as well as linking to testing sites. It's the most comprehensive easy to use listing I know of.

http://www.realhardtechx.com/index_archivos/Page541.htm

Another useful link.

http://www.overclock.net/t/738097/psu-review-database

And the tier list. It's not in any way perfect but it is a good general guide.

http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

In my opinion there are a few brands that are hard to find a bad model of. Corsair, Seasonic, PC Power and Cooling, XFX, Enermax, Silverstone, OCZ, and Antec.

In the past OCZ and Antec both have had models with quality issues but they seem to have fixed most of their problem lines in the last few years.

Rosewill has some good lines here recently but they are not overall good enough to recommend by brand in my opinion. Some models are good though. Mostly the Sirtec and Super Flower made units.

 

[Silvune]

http://www.jonnyguru.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3990

 

[ko888]

You can almost do some arc welding with some of these high wattage single rail designs because it takes a huge current draw to even trigger the OCP circuit.

With multiple +12V rails you need to know how the connectors are distributed on each rail and if the OCP trip point is set high enough so that the PSU won't be inadvertently shut down.

 

[scottiemedic]

Thanks for all the info guys, I best get my reading glasses on and do a little educating of myself. I think I am getting the basics of it...

 

[scottiemedic]

Best answer selected by scottiemedic.