Question Trying to understand ATX PSU operation

[Anomaly_76]

Short version, I am trying to figure out how to use one 850W PSU to power two systems. I am aware that this may not be possible, read on for specifics.

Microshaft's recent draconian EULA / TOS / lack-of-privacy agreement changes prompted my switching to Linux.

However, my 5900X / RTX3060ti rig crashes my preferred distro's installer. Trial and error revealed my low-hashrate RTX3060ti is the culprit. Oddly, the 5900X / RTX3060ti rig would boot and run just fine on an M.2 install from my 1700 / GTX1650 rig (though I suspect the RTX card was being operated with GTX drivers).

Which forces me to Winblows for my gaming system for the time being. Hence, I decided to run dual systems, one Linux (1700 / GTX1650), one gaming (5900X / RTX3060ti). So I got a USB switcher to use keyboard / mouse and specific USB-housed storage with either system.

My hardware is housed in a salvaged 15U Navepoint networking cabinet with audio / recording equipment, with no traditional power supply switches. Setting up for dual systems prompted space constraints and cable management issues. So I ditched the Thermaltake P3 for acrylic plates and opted for a pair of Silverstone’s ES02-USB remote setups to power up and restart either system. These use a 2.0 header and front panel header for each motherboard.

Now for my problem. Per others’ input on using one PSU for both, I expected at least minor problems. However, one remote does nothing, the other controls both systems. How is that even possible? Shouldn’t these remotes be keyed to the device they shipped with? Eliminating the ATX power splitter cables allows whichever system is connected to run, but simply disconnecting one or the other prevents power to either one. It would seem these power splitter cables may be wired in series.

Also, I experienced no-video issues with both systems. The Linux system would randomly run as expected, the Winblows system gave no video at all. As one might imagine, I have been ballistic after all this work and waiting as much as 2-4 weeks for some parts.

I remember Phanteks made some sort of PSU accessory to allow one PSU to control two systems, but I can’t seem to find it. I’m not even sure this would solve my problem, but does anyone know what I'm talking about, whether it would solve my problem, or where I can buy one if it would? My B550 Aorus Master has multiple M.2 slots, so perhaps it would be simpler to set it up with two separate boot M.2s, one for Linux, one for Winblows?

 

[Lutfij]

You'd find it feasible/sensible to run two SFX PSU's(If space is a constraint or you want to keep the internal footprint to a minimum), one that's 450W for the Linux system and a 650W unit for the Windows system. To add, you're not going to be running both systems at the same time, judging from how you've stylized your thread, which makes it pointless to buy one PSU to power two systems.

The PSU splitter that Phanteks made is discontinued, very likely due to failure rates or the long cabling runs from PSU>adapter>device as opposed to running a straight length of cable from PSU to device.

Yes, a dual boot system would eliminate the need for two physical systems.

 

[Anomaly_76]

You'd find it feasible/sensible to run two SFX PSU's(If space is a constraint or you want to keep the internal footprint to a minimum), one that's 450W for the Linux system and a 650W unit for the Windows system. To add, you're not going to be running both systems at the same time, judging from how you've stylized your thread, which makes it pointless to buy one PSU to power two systems.

The PSU splitter that Phanteks made is discontinued, very likely due to failure rates or the long cabling runs from PSU>adapter>device as opposed to running a straight length of cable from PSU to device.

Yes, a dual boot system would eliminate the need for two physical systems.

Actually, I wanted to be able to run either system independently of each other, but possibly both simultaneously. Not being able to do so isn't necessarily a deal-breaker, but very annoying for my situation.

However I went through my growing collection of M.2s, found three that had Mint, Tuxedo, and Winblows10, respectively, and installed them in the three M.2 slots on my B550 Aorus Master board. Which solves the dual system problem, but also requires reboot / boot device select to switch platforms, which is kind of a pain. Hence, I'm wondering now if there is a way to make the BIOS pop up its own bootloader to select a specific boot device.