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Tips: Act Wisely in Choosing a Power Supply

How about a power supply work? A person who intends to build a PC system must be able to choose a model power supply efficient and high power. This article will guide you with a number of tips for choosing power supply (PSU) right.

One of the basic tips in choosing a PSU is: choosing the most efficient means the opportunity to enjoy the added value that the PSU market has to offer. That’s why here we want to invite potential buyers to learn about the technology, facts and terminology that work behind PSUs for PCs. We’ll start by discussing the efficiency of the PSU.

  1. How to know PSU efficiency

One easy way to measure the efficiency of a PSU is: whether a particular product meets the Energy Star 5.0 standard and whether a PSU meets the 80 PLUS efficiency criteria. The latter is a requirement that must be met by a PSU and is a recognized standard in all parts of the country.

The high efficiency and maximum power of a CPU is determined by a series of tests, which will then determine whether a PCU brand has the right to embed the 80 PLUS symbol or not. The illustration below will explain a little about the 80 PLUS scheme on a CPU.

80 PLUS certification
image source: tomshardware.com

However, the 80 PLUS certification concept has now been revised. The market adds definitions that make the code more stringent. In Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum certifications, for example, each type of certification requires its own request. If a CPU gets 80 Plus Gold or 80 PLUS Platinum, then both are much more efficient than PSU products that don’t have them. The price will of course be more expensive.

2. Questioning the power on a PSU

This becomes an important talking point on a PSU. How much power can be supplied by the CPU, especially when channeled through various voltages. In today’s world, most PSUs draw power via the +12 V rail. In comparison, the 3.3 and 5V voltages play less of a role than +12 V. So there’s a simple rule: if the rails on a 12V PSU can supply all kinds of power needs, and then it still leaves a small amount of power, so a smaller voltage won’t make much difference.

3. Safety is the most important thing

In short, buy a PSU that can guarantee the security of PC devices and users. There are many terms in a PSU that can describe the availability of a security system on the device, so make sure that all security features are available in it.

  • OVP (Over-Voltage Protection (primary and secondary))
  • OTP (Over-Temperature Protection)
  • OPP (Over-Power Protection)
  • OCP (Over-Current Protection)
  • SCP (Short-Circuit Protection)
  • NLO (No-Load Operation)
  • UVP (Under-Voltage Protection (primary and secondary))

A good PSU should install a protections IC. Unfortunately, some PSU manufacturers sell very cheap PSU models, with conventional MOV and fuses and refer to them as PS with surge and short-circuit protection. While that sounds true, from a technical point of view, such a combination recipe means a disaster. The price of a PSU that is very cheap can have expensive consequences for its users.

4. Capacitors and fans are also important

Capacitors determine the resistance of a PSU in long-term use. Therefore the APFC cap must be of high quality. Furthermore, the electrolyte cover on the second side must be made by a manufacturer with a high flying experience and reputation. Also, the electrolytic enclosure must have a temperature rating of 105 °C, and not 85°C. In a PSU, the presence of electrolytes is important. You will find it in the image below.

two PSU capacitors
image source: tomshardware.com

Just like capacitors, fans also play an important role. There are many types of fans installed in the PSU body, but generally only three types are often encountered:

  • Hydro Dynamic Bearing (HDB) and Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) that can last 50-150,000 hours of use.
  • Double ball-bearing that can last 40-50,000 hours of use.
  • Sleeve bearing that can last for 30,000 hours of use.

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