The 03.10.05 at 21:22, H du Plooy wrote:
OK, I just calculated how much amps I need on each rail (thanks for the links to the relevant articles).
Did I? Can't remember :-?
According to the estimated needs they give there, my PSU is not strong enough. Just as well, I've been wanting to replace it for a while now. The 12v rail offers 8A, and my calculated needs are 11.9A. On 3.3v and 5v I have more than I could possibly use.
However, the figures I used are on the high side (to be on the safe side). And, the hardware they use are in some cases heavier than mine, e.g. the "high performance hard drive" with 2A, while mine definitely qualifies as a "low performance hard drive" - rated 2A at startup, I think it's safe to assume it would be less under normal operation (?). While I don't think my computer uses less than 8A on the 12v rail, it has to be close, considering that it has been running stably until now.
Don't assume that a low performance HD uses more power, it could be the contrary. A HD with more RPM uses more power, at least during start up. To be sure, you would have to get the exact specifications of your HD, probably from the web pages. There is another issue. The 12V line is used mostly for motors. Some of them, like HD and fans, startup right on power up, when they eat most current; HD need much less amps later; fans probably not so much so (moving air needs work). The floppy doesn't move for a while. CDroms... I'm not sure. When you try to draw more power than the rated maximum from a PSU, several things could happen, depending on design. On a good unit, current could simply be limited, and voltage would get lower to compensate: nothing would break, just motors would accelerate slower. Or the PSU could shut down completely, protecting itself and the equipment. Or it could give more current for a little while (possible, but doubtful -- electronics devices tend to destroy themselves protecting their fuses, didn't you know?). Or it could start a fire -- more doubtful, hopefully :-p You see... things are quite complicated. Your PSU could work :-)
By the way, I replaced the PSU fan with one from a dead PSU I had lying around, and all is fine again now - so it must have been the fan causing trouble.
Good :-)
For the sake of interest, what is the I/O that gkrellm shows under sensors?
I don't have sensors, so I don't know :-) -- Cheers, Carlos Robinson