Testing an old PSU?

sunzzofman

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Jun 10, 2012
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So I currently have a evga supernova 1300 watt psu (it was a sick deal lol). I'm having some emi problems with my xlr mic which I think is some sort of ground issue and I'm wondering if I can use an old ocz 600 watt psu to test if the buzzing is still there with a different psu. Is 600 watt enough to power my pc without any problems with my specs below in my signature?
 
Solution
Ok so that should be the combined 12 volt rail. Now that rail also provides the lower 5 and 3.3 volt rails(this is done for better efficiency).

So every watt off 5 and 3.3 comes off this 580 as well(this is not uncommon). 12 volts is the rail that does the most work(on modern systems).
As long as it is a decent unit, yes it should work(your parts will also clock down to save power when not under load).

You may want to try to disconnect any other things that are grounded and attached to the pc if you can. Things like set top cable boxes or cable tuners can cause ground loops on computer.

Try to have ALL devices on the same circuit as well.
 


so the psu wont blow if i try use it on my system then lol?
 
Older OCZ units may not have listed a combined 12 volt rail. Check the label to see what you have(will be something like 12^1 + 12^2 + 12^3 max current XXamps or max wattage XXX watts).

Nvidia recommends a 600 watt power supply for a fully loaded system with that card. Again a non loaded system does not draw anything near max power either(thanks to nearly everything on the market having power saving modes at idle.).
 


18 amps on 12 1, same on 2 3 and 4, so 72 amps in total on 12 rail yeh?
 
No, unfortunately adding 12 volt rails does not work on most power supplies(some are exceptions like the old EA series from Antec). I am guessing one of the old steam or gamextreme units(the 750 and 850 all had the same 18 18 18 18 rating).

72 * 12 = 864 watts so that is not going to be accurate. I would guess in the 43-48 amp range would be about right. The gameXteme units I think had it listed as about 48(does it say 580 under the 4 rails?).

 


yeh 580 w under the 4 rails
 
Ok so that should be the combined 12 volt rail. Now that rail also provides the lower 5 and 3.3 volt rails(this is done for better efficiency).

So every watt off 5 and 3.3 comes off this 580 as well(this is not uncommon). 12 volts is the rail that does the most work(on modern systems).
 
Solution