PSU Stupid questions

[ir_cow]

so i need a new PSu to replace my Enermax 470watt Noisetaker with ENERMAX Liberty 500Watt with the cable selecting since now i have a clear case those wires are really a pain in the ..

 

now my really stupid questions are

(1) does it draw 500watts always or will it only draw what it needs? and does that apply to all psu's

(2) is ATX12V Ver 2.2 any better? like what is it? i got my psu before SLI was around now everything is SLi this and that.

 

 

any help would be cool and yes you can laugh at me

 

 

also if anyone knows a better psu for around $100 that has cable selecting please tell me

[kingdingeling]

I think the 600W and 700W gameXtreem series from OCZ is modular, just something to consider for future upgrades.

[Nemo]

1) No your PSU will not draw 500W all the time. Remember, 500W is the maximum output rating for the power supply. It will use less than that under almost all scenarios, but it's usage is determined by several factors including load and efficiency. The best way to measure this would be by getting a power meter such as a Kill-a-Watt or Seasonic meter. Also, you're measuring an AC input and a DC output - how good your PSU is in converting from one to the other is reflected in its efficiency rating.

 

2) You can read about the ATX12V 2.2 specifications over at the FormFactors.org site.

Edited February 27, 2007 by Nemo

[Verran]

I know for a fact that the GameXstream 700 is not modular, and I believe the 600 isn't either. I was looking at the 700 recently. I read a very in depth review on it a while ago that went over how it's a good PSU for the price, but it's not hardcore like a PCP&C, for example. Also, the four 12V rails at 18A is nice, but it's better to just have one or two huge rails to reduce the risk of overloading any one rail. Though for about $100 after rebate from ZZF, I'm thinking about it myself. It's still a very nice PSU.

 

Also, as Nemo stated, it will definitely not draw 500W all the time. It only draws what it needs.

[ir_cow]

thanks i guess i'll be ordering it now than.

[kingdingeling]

aright, got it wrong then. Didn't look it up

[Verran]

thanks i guess i'll be ordering it now than.

You were probably thinking of the EvoStream and ModStream lines

[kingdingeling]

naa, I was thinking of the GameXtreem, I guess I got something wrong. The ModStream kinna gives it away

[Fireonice]

Enermax Liberty is a great PSU. Mines running good for more than half a year without and problems and has good stable rails. Its nice loooking to

[ClayMeow]

Enermax Liberty is a great PSU. Mines running good for more than half a year without and problems and has good stable rails. Its nice loooking to

I used a Liberty 500 in my company's web server, which has been running smoothly for over a year, and in our mail server, which has been running for roughly 6 months. I agree, it looks really purty too. Though you don't really see it while in the case, even with a window, the 120mm fan grill on the bottom of the PSU may be the most finely crafted PC component I've ever seen. I was in awe when I first saw it.