If you buy a computer, it may already be equipped with a standard power supply. But, given the most important function of this node for stable, long-term work, it is worth familiar with its characteristics, and if necessary, replace, to a more suitable for you, taking into account all the requirements for this item. You can choose a powerful and reliable power supply for a computer by reading the general requirements for it, select the type, power and manufacturer, taking into account the specific features of the equipment installed in your system system.

What is a computer power supply

Most computers are connected directly to a public outlet without the use of additional stabilizers, smoothing bursts, voltage drops and power supply frequencies. A modern power supply must be issued for all computer nodes a stable voltage of the required power, taking into account peak loads when performing complex graphic tasks. From the power, the stability of the work of this module depends all expensive components of the computer - video cards, hard disk, motherboard, processor, and others.

What consists of

Modern computer power supply devices have several main nodes, many of which are mounted on cooling radiators:

1. The input filter to which the network voltage is served. Its task is to smooth the input voltage, the suppression of ripples and interference.
2. The network voltage inverter increases the frequency of the network from 50 Hz to hundreds of kilohertz, providing the ability to reduce the size of the main transformer, while retaining its useful power.
3. The pulse transformer converts the input voltage to the low-voltage. Dear models contain several transformers.
4. Duty voltage and controller transformer, controlling the main power supply unit in automatic mode.
5. Rectifier of the variable signal based on diode assembly, with chokes and capacitors that smooth pulsation. Many models are equipped with an active power factor corrector.
6. The stabilization of the output voltage is made in high-quality devices independently for each power line. Inexpensive models use one group stabilizer.
7. An important element of reducing the cost of electricity and noise reduction is the fan speed thermostat, the principle of operation of which is based on the use of the temperature sensor.
8. Signal nodes include a voltage control circuit and current consumed, a system of preventing short circuits, overcurrent for consumed current, overvoltage protection.
9. The housing is obliged to accommodate all of the listed nodes, including a 120 mm fan. A high-quality power supply will be able to disconnect unused harnesses.

Types of power supplies

The power supply devices of stationary PC systems differ from those that are used in laptops. Distinguish several types of these devices by their design:

1. Modular devices provide the ability to disconnect unused wiring harnesses.
2. Ovensletent devices with passive cooling, quiet and expensive.
3. Separate nutrition devices are equipped with a cooling fan with a controller controller.

To standardize sizes, the physical layout of computer modules uses the concept of form factor. Nodes that have the same form factor are completely interchangeable. One of the first international standards in this area was the AD formator (Advanced Technology), which appeared simultaneously with the first IBM-compatible computers and was used until 1995. Most of the modern power supply devices use the ATX (Advanced Technology Extended) standard.

Intel in December 1997 introduced the Motherboard of the new Microatx family, for which the smaller power supply was proposed - Small Form Factor (SFX). From this time, the standard has become SFX to be used in many computer systems. Its dignity is the possibility of using five physical forms, modified connection connectors to the motherboard.

The best power supplies for computers

Selecting the power supply devices for the computer should not save. Many manufacturers of such economy class systems to reduce prices eliminate important interference protection elements. This is noticeable on the jumpers installed on the circuit board. To standardize the quality level of these devices, 80 PLUS certificate was created, indicating the efficiency of the efficiency - 80%. Improving the characteristics and components of the power supply units of computers led to updating the varieties of this standard before:

• Bronze - efficiency 82%;
• Silver - 85%;
• GOLD - 87%;
• Platinum - 90%;
• Titanium - 96%.

You can buy a power supply for a computer in computer stores or supermarkets of Moscow, St. Petersburg, other cities in Russia, which contain a large selection of components. For active users of the Internet, find out how much it costs, make a selection of a large number of models, to buy a power supply for a PC in online stores that are easy to choose them in the photo, order on stocks, sales, discounts, make a purchase. Delivery of all goods is carried out by courier services or cheaper - by mail.

Aerocool KCAS 500W.

For most desktop home computers, the power is 500W. The proposed version of Chinese production combines good quality indicators and an acceptable price:

• model name: AEROCOOL KCAS-500W;
• price: 2,690 rubles;
• characteristics: ATX12V B2.3 Form factor, power - 500 W, Active PFC, efficiency - 85%, standard 80 Plus Bronze, Color - Black, MP 24 + 4 + 4 Pin connectors, Length 550 mm, 2x video cards (6+ 2) PIN, Molex - 4 pcs, SATA - 7 pcs, connectors for FDD -1 pcs, 120 mm Fan, dimensions (SHCHG) 150x86x140 mm, Network cord included;
• pros: function of active power factor correction;
• cons: efficiency only 85%.

AEROCOOL VX-750 750W

The power supply devices VX power 750 W are collected from high-quality components and provide stable and reliable substitution of the initial level of complexity. Such a device from AEROCOOL ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES (China) is protected from voltage drops on the network:

• model name: AEROCOOL VX-750;
• price: 2 700 r.;
• characteristics: ATX 12B 2.3 standard, active PFC, power - 750 W, current over the lines +5 V - 18A, +3.3 V - 22 A, +12 V - 58 A, -12 B - 0.3 A, +5 V - 2.5 a, 120mm fan, connectors 1 pc 20 + 4-Pin ATX, 1 pc floppy, 1 pc 4 + 4-pin CPU, 2 pcs 8-pin PCI-E (6 + 2), 3 pcs Molex, 6 pieces, dimensions - 86x150x140 mm, weight - 1.2 kg;
• pros: fan speed controller;
• cons: no certificate.

FSP GROUP ATX-500PNR 500W

The Chinese FSP company produces a wide range of high-quality components for computer equipment. The option proposed by this manufacturer has a low price, but is equipped with an overload protection module in general use networks:

• model Name: FSP Group ATX-500PNR;
• price: 2 500 r.;
• characteristics: ATX 2B.2, Active PFC, Power - 500 W, Loading Lines +3.3 B - 24A, + 5V - 20A, + 12V - 18 A, +12 V - 18A, + 5V - 2,5A, - 12V - 0,3A, 120mm fan, connectors 1 pc 20 + 4-pin ATX, 1 PC 8-PIN PCI-E (6 + 2), 1 PC FLOPPY, 1 PC 4 + 4-PIN CPU, 2pcs Molex , 3 pcs SATA, dimensions - 86x150x140 mm, weight - 1.32 kg;
• pros: There is protection against short circuit;
• cons: There is no certification.

Corsair RM750X 750W.

Corsair products ensure confident voltage control, works silently. The presented option of the power supply device has 80 Plus Gold certificate, low noise level and modular cable system:

• model Name: Corsair RM750X;
• price: 9 320 p.;
• characteristics: ATX 12B 2.4 standard, active PFC, power - 750 W, load over the +5 V lines - 25 A, +3.3 V - 25 A, +12 V - 62.5 A, -12 B - 0.8 A, +5 in - 1 A, 135 mm fan, connectors 1 pc 20 + 4-pin ATX, 1 pc floppy, 1 pc 4 + 4-pin CPU, 4 pcs 8-in CI-E (6 + 2), 8 pcs Molex, 9 pcs SATA, Certificate 80 Plus Gold, Protection against short circuit and overload, dimensions - 86x150x180 mm, Weight - 1.93 kg;
• pros: thermostatic fan;
• cons: High cost.

Thermaltake power supply devices are distinguished by high functionality and stability of all characteristics. The proposed version of this device is suitable for most system units:

• model name: ThermalTake TR2 S 600W;
• price: 3 360 r.;
• characteristics: ATX standard, power - 600 W, active PFC, maximum current 3.3 V - 22 A, +5 V - 17 A, + 12 V - 42 A, +12 V - 10 A, 120 mm fan, motherboard connector - 20 + 4 PIN;
• pros: You can apply in new and old computers;
• cons: Network cable in the kit.

Corsair CX750 750 W

Acquisition of a high-quality and expensive power supply device is justified when using expensive other components. The use of Corsair products will make an unlikely failure of this equipment due to the fault of the power supply device:

• model name: Corsair CX 750W RTL CP-9020123-EU;
• price: 7 246 p.;
• characteristics: ATX standard, power - 750 W, load +3.3 V - 25 A, +5 V - 25 A, + 12V - 62,5A, +5 V - 3 A, -12B - 0.8 A, Sizes - 150x86x160 mm, 120 mm fan, efficiency - 80%, dimensions - 30x21x13 cm;
• pros: fan rotation speed controller;
• cons: expensive standing.

DeepCool DA500 500W.

All products of DeepCool are certified by 80 Plus. The proposed model of the supply device has a bronze degree certificate, has overload and short circuit protection:

• model Name: DeepCool DA500 500W;
• price: 3 350 r.;
• characteristics: Standard-ATX 12B 2B 2.31 and EPS12V form factor, active PFC, main connector - (20 + 4) -pin, 5 interfaces 15-PIN SATA, 4 Molex connector, for video card - 2 interfaces (6 + 2) - PIN, Power - 500 W, 120 mm Fan, currents +3.3 V - 18 A, +5 V - 16 A, +12 B - 38 A, -12 B - 0.3 A, +5 V - 2.5 A ;
• pros: Certificate 80 Plus Bronze;
• cons: not marked.

Zalman ZM700-LX 700 W

For modern models of processors and expensive video cards, it is advisable to buy certified standard power supplies not lower than platinum. The presented computer power supply company Zalman has an efficiency of 90% and high reliability:

• model name: Zalman ZM700-LX 700W;
• price: 4 605 p.;
• characteristics: ATX standard, power - 700 W, active PFC, +3.3 V - 20 A, current +5 V - 20 A, + 12V - 0.3 A, 140 mm Fan, dimensions 150x86x157 mm, weight 2.2 kg;
• pros: short-circuit protection;
• cons: not marked.

How to choose a power supply for a computer

You should not trust your expensive computer equipment to trust your expensive manufacturers. Some dishonest manufacturers mask the low quality of their equipment under the "linden" quality certificates. High rating Among the manufacturers of power supply devices for computers have Chieftec, Cooler Master, Hiper, Seasonic, Corsair. It is desirable to protect against overload, overvoltage and short circuit. The appearance, the material of the case, fastening the fan, the quality of the connectors and harnesses can also be said.

Motherboard power connector

The number and type of connectors that are installed on the motherboard depend on its type. The main ones are connectors:

• 4 PIN - for power supply processor, HDD discs;
• 6 PIN - for washing video cards;
• 8 PIN - for powerful video cards;
• 15 PIN SATA - to connect the SATA interface with hard drives, CD-ROM.

Power supply power

Provide all the requirements of stable operation can power supplies for computers, the power of which is selected with the reserve and exceeds the nominal consumption of all computer nodes by 30-50%. Power reserve ensures the excess of the cooling properties of the radiators, the purpose of which consists in the removal of excessive overheating of its elements. Determine the device you need to review their offerings on the Internet is difficult. For this purpose, there are sites on which by entering the parameters of their components, the required characteristics of the power supply devices can be calculated.

The nominal value of the power consumption for home computers varies from 350 to 450 W. Buy power sources for commercial purposes Better than 500 W. Gaming computers, servers must be run with power supplies from 750 W and above. An important component of the power supply device is PFC or the power factor correction that is active or passive. Active PFC increases the value of the power factor to 95%. This parameter is always indicated in the passport and product instructions.

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