We choose the best pc sources according to the need of the system / desktop. With a few simple arithmetic calculations we can find out what power the source will have. Compatibility is largely standard. And about the format of pc sources. Initially, a few years ago the sources did not have a standard format. For some years now, sources have received the most common standard, namely ATX. There are other types of standards, but I will discuss only the most common in today’s desktop PC systems. We do not fall into the category of servers because it is a whole topic.
What is the function of a computer source?
Transformation of electricity from alternating current into direct current. Alternating current (220v) – is the current we receive from the electricity supplier at the outlet.
Direct current – is the current required for computer parts, or is also found in batteries, accumulators, etc.
Whatever you think, most of the electronics, home appliances work with direct current. In other words, every household appliance that operates on electricity has a built-in voltage source that converts alternating current from the outlet into direct current for electronic parts. In Perfect Tech News you can get any info all about tech products and news.
The reason we have AC outlets is the simple reason that it can be transported over very long distances and with very thin wires.
After the source has transformed the current, it will be divided and distributed to the computer components through connectors: 12v, 5v, 3.3v and so on.
Efficient table of pc sources
The manufacturers specify for each source a power in watts and a certification for example 80% bronze. Let’s say we have a 1,000w source, this translates into the manufacturer’s guarantee that the source will be able to supply 800 watts to the computer parts, and bronze refers to the value of over 80% depending on the redundancy of consumers. Here is a table with the certifications:
| 80 Plus test | 230V redundant internal | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage in pregnancy | 10% | 20% | 50% | 100% | ||||
| 80 Plus | ||||||||
| 80 Plus Bronze | 81% | 85% | 81% | |||||
| 80 Plus Silver | 85% | 89% | 85% | |||||
| 80 Plus Gold | 88% | 92% | 88% | |||||
| 80 Plus Platinum | 90% | 94% | 91% | |||||
| 80 Plus Titanium | 90% | 94% | 96% | 91% | ||||
As you can see, the efficiency is low when the load is low. This translates to “overkill” when you take too strong sources and PC consumers will use less than 50% of its power, the efficiency is lower. Whenever I make the configurations I fall between 50-70% of the power of the source, however it is better to have a stronger source in case you add consumers to support, while if you take one to the limit you can not upgrade or add component. It’s better to have a little more than not to have at all.
Confusion between TDP and exact wattage consumption.
It is true that the manufacturers do not specify the exact consumption of the components and this can be confusing. TDP comes from Thermal Design Power, and refers to the power calculated by dissipating energy in the form of heat. It is a reference, not a certainty, but it is enough to calculate it as consumption. These consumptions cannot be quantified by the manufacturers because they have no way of knowing how the product will be used. There are external factors on which that consumption depends.
Efficiency for the best pc sources
In 2006 an efficiency standard was imposed on all computer source manufacturers and it should not be below 80%, so theoretically all sources should be over 80% efficient, only for various reasons they are not certified but it does not mean that they are not 80% effective… the example of NoName sources from China. See why titanium certification is more expensive, because at a consumption of 100% they have losses of only 9%, this means very little loss, the wires will be colder and we will not have energy dissipated in the form of heat in the housing.
If you are wondering what happens to the rest of the percentage up to 100%, well these are power losses in various forms. They have the biggest loss on the wires, being the direct current, the longer or too thin the wires, they will behave as resistant and will lose the energy usually released by the heat.
What are the best sources or what to choose?
I hope to answer this question after giving me the details of the rest of the pieces.
Here I warn those who put extension cords, I have seen that many put cable extensions to have a “cable management” as good as possible and I advise them not to use extension cords.
Server source exceptions
Please note that servers or computing units must be 90% or more certified to operate 24/7 continuously. If you look at a dedicated server source you will notice major differences and primarily in the length of the threads, and the format that is not atx 2.3. In the case of servers, they depend on redundancy, in the most advanced servers there are hot plug sources, which are put in pairs and in case one breaks, the second one is activated and can be removed without stopping the server.
Well, if we have selected the area where to fall, we have to look at the rest of the aspects, to choose the best pc sources. Short circuit, over voltage, etc. protections are available at all sources. The more expensive they are, the more protection they provide and the greater the power and efficiency.
Another aspect that I value and here you keep from individual to individual is the “smart” source that has a temperature sensor and commands the fan to start only if it detects a certain preset temperature. I like silent PCs and maybe one day I’ll do a no-fan system configuration.
Connectors for modular PC sources
Another thing we need to consider is connectivity. If we have a video card with separate power supply we have to make sure that the source has the connector for it. There is also the variant of adapters from molex -> pci ex, but I do not recommend in any form the extensions or extensions of wires.
The rest of the connectors are standard, 4-pin processor plug, 20 + 4-pin plug, socket and molex power plugs.
What are the best sources? Modular or non-modular? Here you have the same individual and everyone chooses what he wants. The advantage of modular sources is that you can drop certain connectors and this leads to better and cleaner wire management.
As for single rail , dual-rail , multi-rail computer sources , it is marketing, as a single PCB board is used for electronic components anyway. There can be hundreds of ways of transmitting power, all of which come from the same components.
The amperage of the source must be proportionate to the parts it will consume (more parts per unit means we need amps).
Well, if we want the latest gaming PC with video cards in it, the power consumption will also increase, so we will measure the power of the source according to the consumption of the parts.
What is the best choice of pc sources?
The answer to this question depends on the best sources for your needs. If you have a gaming PC and you want to have stability and reliability, minimum gold certification for a source. The same goes for those who work with databases or have important data stored on the PC. If you want only for occasional gaming and the PC does not work for long periods, then a source of up to 100 lei will be enough. If you have a PC only for modest things, to watch a movie or to stay on Facebook, then a source of 60-100 lei is enough.
I’ve noticed that many PC configurations tend to overkill, as long as the source has protections that will protect our computer (it doesn’t mean that if we have a stronger source it will protect our computer better). There are isolated cases when overcurrent and under-voltage protections do not work for various sources.
Voltage monitoring
Another thing to mention is the voltage monitoring, the safest measurements are made with the voltmeter. For example, if on the circuit let’s say 12v (24 + 4 pin plug) we will have results with 10% more or less than 12v then it’s time to change the source. The same goes for the measurements of the other connectors. So the margin of error should not exceed 10% plus or minus.
But there are also voltage monitoring software, and the most commonly used is AIDA64 .
Many change them even if they exceed 5% of the preset voltage.
If instead of 12v we will see 13.2v or above then it is a sign that the source is no longer stable or if it is 10.8 or below. (These rules do not apply to those who do OC because they take responsibility).
Any device in the house contains a voltage source, either a TV or a coffee espresso machine , all appliances have a voltage source, they can go out of the recommended parameters and lead to their failure if these voltages do not correspond technically.
Examples of some of the best sources for pc
Here are some of the best sources from 2021 that I recommend.
Corsair modular source
I recently bought it for my personal PC, where I still play gaming, I hope I have time to review it. Excellence for gaming if you want and silence when you’re not playing.
Cheap Segotep ATX Source
Very quiet, but after 1-2 years it will accumulate dust and will be heard, it has a separate power supply for video cards with 6 or 6 + 2 pin power plug. Very good reviews, for a modest gaming pc it is the source with the best value for money.
Source Segotep
A source capable of carrying a decent gaming system for 2021 But as I explained above, it also depends on how much the respective video cards in the gaming system consume.
Chieftec source
Here we enter the territory of advanced gamers, a very good source that provides power for a high-end gaming system and is semi-modular.
Modular Source Corsa ir RMi Series
A more than capable source, a source for top gaming PC even for enthusiasts who play at 4k resolution or for those who have 2 video cards connected in SLI or crossfirex, I also recommend it for workstation.
Each computer has its own particularities and the source will be chosen according to the assigned parts and peripherals.
I hope I have covered all the details of what a source means and I hope I have been understood. But I’m waiting for you with a comment in case you didn’t understand something.
Source Sirtec – High Power RockSolid
I entered the field of mining configurations for Bitcoin. This source supports up to 6 video cards.
I hope I helped you find the best sources for your needs, if not! Ask for comment.
