MakeUseOf - PSU

Why Your Motherboard Has CPU Power 1 and CPU Power 2

Nischay Khanna — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 10:45:16 GMT

You bought a new motherboard that could push your CPU to the limit, but when you opened it, you saw something out of the ordinary. Instead of a single CPU connector, your motherboard came with two CPU connectors.

What Power Connectors Do a Motherboard and a CPU Require?

Jayric Maning — Sun, 16 Apr 2023 11:30:17 GMT

If it's your first time building a desktop PC, seeing all the different connectors dangling off a PSU can be intimidating. You might ask yourself, "Why are there so many connectors? Why are they grouped like blocks? And which connectors do I need to power the motherboard and the CPU?"

Why the Power Button Isn't Starting Your PC (& How to Fix It)

Russ Ware — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 10:00:17 GMT

It can be frustrating to have to press the power button on your PC multiple times before it will boot. The problem is usually easy to fix, but it can occasionally be down to a more significant failure inside your computer.

5 Different Ways to Power a Raspberry Pi

Tomisin Olujinmi — Thu, 16 Feb 2023 16:30:15 GMT

Whether you're using your Raspberry Pi in the home or in a remote location, such as for a weather station or wildlife camera, it will need a reliable electricity supply to work.

How to Test a Power Supply Unit (PSU) With a Multimeter

Amir M. Bohlooli — Sun, 12 Feb 2023 18:30:16 GMT

A PSU, or power supply unit, is responsible for delivering electricity to all the components in your computer's case. Considering its vital role, a faulty PSU can cause your system to malfunction, damage expensive parts, and at worst, blow up your computer entirely.

Graphics Cards TDP vs. TGP: What's the Difference?

Yadullah Abidi — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 13:15:15 GMT

If you use your PC for gaming, the GPU is possibly one of the most important components in your build. With the launch of Nvidia's latest 40-Series GPUs and AMD's 8000 Series GPUs somewhat on the horizon, there's a lot of talk about the power consumption of these next-gen GPUs.

ATX 3.0: Do You Need to Upgrade Your PSU For Nvidia's RTX 40-Series GPUs?

Yadullah Abidi — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 14:20:01 GMT

Nvidia's RTX 40-Series has been the topic of much controversy since its launch. From high prices to potential scalping problems to confusing names, Nvidia has had to jump multiple hoops just to get these cards on the market.

Why Are NVIDIA's RTX 4090 GPUs & 12VHPWR Connectors Melting?

Arjun Vishnu — Tue, 08 Nov 2022 13:30:14 GMT

RTX 4090 is the latest graphics card from NVIDIA. It is a huge GPU and is the fastest graphics card ever made. When overclocked, it needs 600 watts of peak power, most of which is delivered through a single power connector.

The Best Power Supply Units for Gaming PCs

Kegan Mooney — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:00:14 GMT

With PC components evolving all the time, it's important for gamers to ensure that they have the best parts to play all their favorite games. One important part that is often overlooked is the power supply unit or PSU.

The Cables in Your PC's Power Supply, Explained

Arol Wright — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 13:45:14 GMT

So, you're building a new gaming PC. For a newcomer, it can be a daunting task. After all, there are many components, and if you don't know what you're doing, you can mess things up. As such, it's important to get acquainted with all the components inside a PC, how they work, and what goes where.

What Is ATX12VO? Next-Gen PSUs Explained

Arol Wright — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 14:30:14 GMT

Our computers have changed wildly over the past 30 years. One thing that has not changed much, however, are power supply units. Sure, they're beefier, more powerful, and most importantly, more power-efficient, but they use the same connectors and overall format as the first ATX power supplies that graced the market when Intel introduced the standard in 1995. However, times change, and we're in need of something new. This is where the new ATX12VO standard comes in.

AMD RX 6800 vs. AMD RX 6800XT: What’s the Difference?

Jowi Morales — Fri, 27 May 2022 17:00:13 GMT

The AMD Radeon RX 6800 and 6800 XT are AMD's top offerings for PC enthusiasts. These cards are compared with NVIDIA's GeForce RTX 3080 and RTX 2080 Ti, respectively. However, if you're in the market for a top-end AMD graphics card, which should you choose?

6 Signs You Need to Upgrade Your PC's Power Supply

Jowi Morales — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 11:16:21 GMT

Computers are expensive devices and you should take extra care of yours to ensure it lasts. While processors, GPUs, RAM, and storage drives are important PC parts, there's one crucial item that they all depend on: the power supply unit (PSU).

What Is the Difference Between Bronze and Gold-Rated PSUs?

Simon Batt — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 19:15:11 GMT

When building a PC, the power supply (PSU) is one of the least exciting components you can buy for it. It doesn't achieve anything amazing like a new processor, graphics card, or RAM can offer you; in fact, all it does is keep all the exciting bits powered on.

7 Reasons You Should Always Buy a Modular PSU

John Awa-abuon — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 20:00:46 GMT

As many gamers and PC enthusiasts know, there are several reasons to buy a modular power supply. These include the convenience of accessing all your components without having to remove any cables first, the ability to clean up after yourself by only plugging in what you need, and more.

Why Power Supply Unit Efficiency Matters in PC Gaming

Saad Zahid — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:00:26 GMT

While your gaming rig’s PSU may not boost frame rate or influence visual fidelity, it is still super important. This is because, without it, your computer won’t give you so much as a peep.

The 5 Best Online Power Supply Calculators

Anthony Enticknap — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:00:25 GMT

Whether you’re buying a new power supply, or are just curious about how much electricity your PC uses, an online power supply calculator can help.

Can I Reuse My Old PC's Power Supply in a New Computer?

Christian Cawley — Tue, 03 Mar 2020 21:00:56 GMT

One of the best ways to reduce the cost of upgrading your PC is to re-use some old components. You can retain some parts, like the sound card, DVD drive, and particularly the power supply unit (PSU).

The Basic Parts of a Computer and How to Upgrade Them

Christian Cawley — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:00:18 GMT

You know how to use a computer, but how familiar are you with what's inside?

How Much Power Does Your PC Need?

Joel Lee — Fri, 19 May 2017 17:15:28 GMT

Whether you're trying to figure out your home energy budget or simply trying to cut back on your energy footprint, knowing how much power your PC consumes is a crucial part of the equation. And unfortunately, this isn't as simple as looking at the label on your PC's rear panel.

Build Your Own Low-Wattage PC with Three Simple Design Rules

Kannon Yamada — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:15:00 GMT

You don't need a laptop to get an energy-efficient computer. In 2017, building a power-efficient PC requires knowing just three tips.

How to Make a Bench Power Supply From An Old ATX PSU

James Bruce — Sat, 05 Apr 2014 01:00:00 GMT

A bench power supply is an extremely handy bit of kit to have around for electronics hobbyists, but they can be expensive when purchased new. If you have an old computer ATX PSU lying around, you can give it new life as a bench power supply. Here's how.