strange question for you guys...

Chaky1

[COLOR=green]lets say i want to power more than 4 (HDDs, CD/DVD drives) in my computer but my power supply only has 4 power slots/plugs for them....is there anyway for me to hook up another PSU to use for them or would i have to get a new bigger/better PSU?[/COLOR]

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nil4t

You could get a power cable splitter as long as your power supply can handle the extra devices

thenewguy001

how much wattage/amperage does the average hd or dvd drive use?

Maddogg6

well - an average wont really matter - what matters is the OP's particular equipment...

There are ways of adding up all the amps/watts of all your equipment and can be thus checked against your particular power supply..

Many cases that come with power supplies, *usually* give a power supply to meet the probable requirements of all that stuff combined (mobo's are particularly tricky to get accurate power requirements especially if you're over clocking - even if the GPU is an over clocked - then add to your CPU over clocking....and advertised ratings go out the door)

Imho - after adding splitters to accommodate more HDD - check the voltages in your bios - if any become unstable or below recommended voltage levels - get a new, larger (in wattage) P/S.

Even better is the ability to monitor those voltages durring game play or when the CPU and or GPU are strained. Because in bios those things are likely more or less idling instead of full load strain that games and 3D apps can impose.

but NEVER add another (as in an additional or a second) P/S to a computer unless your very aware of the precautions you *need* to take to prevent damage to any equipment attached. thinks like ground loops can cause anything from occasional glitches to complete and permanent failure. /edit and potentially harm to you /edit.

thenewguy001

Well right now I have 4 molex connectors but have 5 devices to power. 2 connectors on one rail go to my vid card and dvd drive. The other rail has a splitter that goes to 2 hdds and a 80mm LED case fan.

I figure that the 2 fans (case and gpu) need constant power while the dvd drive and hdds won't draw as much constant power so I split them up. I also figured that the vid card would draw more power than the 2 hdds combined (correct me if I'm wrong), so I put the split on the rail with the 2 hdds. Does this sound reasonable?

As for voltages, all of the rails are stable except for vcore. It's supposed to be 1.4V but I've seen it drop to almost 1.3V (93%) while on load. Is this acceptable or a disaster waiting to happen? It's a 500W OCZ Stealth XStream and can draw 30A on both 12V rails.

Judas

anything over a 5% drop (or overvoltage) in it's intended voltage is usually in the danger zone

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PangingJr

: annoyed : : confused : [/ COLOR][/ SIZE][/ FONT][/ I][/ B] letters

Dyre Straits

Just a head's up: The OP has been notified that his OP violates DH policy re: Links to Advertising in Signatures. Therefore, the signature has been removed by the administrators.

There is serious doubt that the OP will ever be back to read any replies.

Carry on.

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[hobo]eclipse

i recommend 4 1kw supplies, and one additional supply for each drive there after. Maximum.

PangingJr

lol. [/ COLOR][/ SIZE][/ FONT][/ I][/ B]

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Blamo