Power Supply with single line for AGP cards ?

[MidasKnight]

Are there any quality power supplies that have a single line or extra lines for the high end gaming agp cards so you don't share it with other components in the system ? any others you recommend ?

OCZ for a example ?

Thanks.

 

[ribbon13]

Dual rail isn't a good idea, just get a psu with decent 12A rail to begin with. Multiple rails exponentially increases wattage loss due to high heat enviroments.

I don't think this can be beat for amps at this price point. Active PFC, and made by Fortron.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-478&depa=0

 

[Matthias99]

Dual rail isn't a good idea, just get a psu with decent 12A rail to begin with. Multiple rails exponentially increases wattage loss due to high heat enviroments.

Source? Dual rails are a PITA for SLI, since you can't put the video and CPU on separate rails, but I've never heard a claim that it "exponentially increases wattage loss" (what loss? From where?)

 

[ribbon13]

Advanced eletronic theory
CEN - 162 - AC and LINEAR CIRCUITS

 

[ribbon13]

I'm talking about how fast the derating curve goes down.

 

[Matthias99]

I'm talking about how fast the derating curve goes down.

I haven't seen anything showing that PSUs with dual +12V rails have noticeably worse power output at normal operating temperatures. Again, source?

Edit: whoops, thinking of someone else. Still, I'd like to see a source on this, or real tests run on a real PSU. Theoretically lower efficiency or power output does not necessarily mean there is a big (or any) difference in the real world.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
Dual rail isn't a good idea, just get a psu with decent 12A rail to begin with. Multiple rails exponentially increases wattage loss due to high heat enviroments.

I don't think this can be beat for amps at this price point. Active PFC, and made by Fortron.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=17-103-478&depa=0

I am building my gaming PC and like this PSU. I am getting this hardware:
Xtasy x800xt 256mb AGP
AMD 3000, 3200, 3500 (one of these, probably 3200)
MSI Neo2 Platinum
Raptor 74gb
WD Caviar 200gb IDE

So you're saying this is the best PSU for AGP? What about this one?

Blue Fortron

 

[ribbon13]

It's the best psu under $120 at newegg hands down. But the blue storm is fine. I'd take the 36a single rail with PFC over it though.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
It's the best psu under $120 at newegg hands down. But the blue storm is fine. I'd take the 36a single rail with PFC over it though.

The reason I like the blue is the LED's mainly...lol
I am going to have a windowed case so the LED's would be a nice touch. I was looking at the Aspire PSU's until someone told me to go OCZ, Enermax, or Fortron.
Any suggestions based on that & my system specs? I know nada about PSU's.

 

[ribbon13]

If looks are important, stick with the blue storm

 

[VirtualLarry]

On the other hand, single rails with high amps, being pushed through too-small wires, will generate more resistance and power-loss due to heating of the wires themselves. Not only is that a waste of power, but it may also be a safety issue. That problem was mentioned about several of the cheaper supplies in Mem's thread about a 19 PSU shootout review.

I'm not so sure about exponential losses, but I could see how having seperate rails might lower overall power-conversion efficiency some, but that shouldn't be a bit deal, and shouldn't affect the level of DC output power, only the amount of input AC power used. (I think, I'm not an EE.)

PS. PC PSUs are not linear, they're switching. Was that factoring into your assumption? If they were linear supplies, then yes, operating two in parallel at lower overall efficiency, compared to a single rail at the corresponding higher level of efficiency, that would make a pretty large difference.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Thanks ribbon.

 

[mercanucaribe]

Who cares how many rails there are?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

LoL Apparently people who know alot about PSU's do...

 

[simeon]

Pr0d1gy
"The reason I like the blue is the LED's mainly...lol"

LED's? ...the only thing that lights up on mine is the switch.
(it's a nice blue color tho' lol)

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I thought they had the blue LED in the fan? Maybe I misread the description?