Weak 12V2 cause power problems? (was "RE: [Pc_Support] PSU quality review")

[Derek Konigsberg]

I once had issues in a server of mine where I had a CD-ROM drive, a DLT 
drive, and a bunch of hard drives.  It seemed like the power supply 
couldn't handle the CD-ROM and DLT tape drives at the same time.  (one 
would act funny when the other was in active use)  However, swapping out 
for a power supply with a much better rating on the 12V rail did fix the 
problem.

One thing I've noticed is that most PC-style power supplies love to put 
all their extra wattage into whatever 5V or 3.3V output is used by the 
CPU/motherboard.  As such, your 450W "for that fancy Pentium 4" power 
supply usually doesn't have any higher of a rating on the 12V rail than 
your average measly 250-300W unit.  You really gotta check the details of 
what power supply you buy for a server, since the "wattage rating" along 
doesn't tell you very much.

---------------------------
Derek Konigsberg
octo at logicprobe.org
http://hecgeek.blogspot.com
---------------------------

On Thu, 2 Mar 2006, Damien McKenna wrote:

> Bryan, after reading the review of my Antec 500W PSU
> (http://www.pcpro.co.uk/custompc/labs/79275/antec-smartpower-20-sp500pgb
> .html) that was in the article Jason linked to, do you think their
> comment of a weak 12V2 rail could be causing the power problems I've
> experienced with my DLT drive et al?
>
> -- 
> Damien McKenna - Web Developer - Damien.McKenna at thelimucompany.com
> The Limu Company - http://www.thelimucompany.com/ - 407-804-1014
> #include <stdjoke.h>
>
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