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Power, Protection, UPS's, Batteries & Cables...

The PSU (Power Supply Unit) size used should be based on the Power Requirements of all System Components. Choose a Power Supply adequately satisfying both the Power and Case Airflow Requirements of the planned System Configuration. Always ensure that the power supply meets the MotherBoard Manufacturer's Specifications. Consider your Power Usage Factor as a Guideline.

Following '80% Power Value Requirements' taken from AMD's Athlon Power Recommendations. "AMD suggests calculating 'power supply minimum output capacity' as the power required by the processor plus 80 percent of the total wattage for all other Components in a given Computer System.

In addition to the overall wattage requirements, verify the maximum voltage for the +5 V and +3.3 V power requirements for the system are less than the wattage limitation on the power supply for the +5 V and +3.3 V outputs."

Since 80 watts would satisfy the CPU only - Typically, a 340 watt PSU will do nicely in a typical PC. While a Performance PC with Performance Components may require more Power from 430 watts to 500 watts depending upon the PC Configuration - Power Usage Factor.

1. www.FormFactors.org: PSU (Power Supply Unit) Design Guidelines.
2. www.UpgradingAndRepairingPCs.com/fourteenth_edition/ by Scott Mueller.
   1. See: Chapter 21: Power Supply and Chassis / Case. Better Still, Buy the Book!

Calculating System Power Consumption:

1. Determine Processor Power Consumption (Voltage x Amps = Watts).

2. For Components - Add up current power requirements for all Components.

3. Multiply the voltage by the total current to get the total wattage for each voltage level.

4. Compute the wattage for component power usage, multiply by .8 (to calculate 80% of the wattage for the devices) and add the wattage requirements of the processor. Always verify that your power supply is adequate both overall and for the 3.3V and 5V circuits.

   Note: In addition to not exceeding the total power (wattage) of the Power Supply (PSU), always
   verify that the total system requirements of 3.3 V and 5 V power does not exceed the combined 3.3 V and 5 V capacity of your Power Supply.

1. www.pcpowerandcooling.com: How Much Power Do You Need?

2. www.jscustompcs.com - Power Supply Wattage Calculator:

3. www.firingsquad.com - Choosing The Right Power Supply: (December 10, 2002).

Laptop Power & International Power:

Laptop Power or International Power Requirements An Issue for You - Visiting England anytime soon? You'll need a Power Adapter when traveling abroad since they have standards different from the US. The UK uses 230 watt while Europe uses 220 watt. 

1. AAA international electricity source. Walkabout Travel Gear; Worldwide electrical index:
2. International Power Adapters Q & A:
3. Voltage Converters & Transformers:

Power News:

1. www.fonerbooks.com - Power Supply Problem - Computer Repair with Diagnostic Flowcharts: (6/10/2003)
2. www.extremetech.com - Users Can Tweak Voltage, Fan Speed In New Power Supply (3/22/2003).
3. Danger: Antec True Power 430 watt Power Supplies - Be Careful! OF only 3 used. Number one Antec True Power 430 works! Number 2 Smoked! And Number 3, Antec True Power 430 watt Power Supply Fan's power up but tester does not indicate a green light. We'll let you know the outcome of this situation after we hear from Antec. Not a pretty smoke test on any PC! Antec was not available for comment @ the time of this posting (CST 4:47 PM 9/24/2002). This information was previously posted on BuildOrBuy Indexes.

   Since ATX PC Cases & Power Supplies are so closely related, be sure and check resources both here for Power Supplies & our Cases pages. Even though a manufacturer may be better known for one item than the other they may have both. Such as Antec, Enermax & PC Power & Cooling. While researching your power supply requirements for either AMD or Intel, you'll also want to include Desktop Form Factors to know particulars about the specifications.

   For those feeling the need to Test your Power Supply, both Antec & PC Power & Cooling have ATX Power Supply Testers. Note: Due to Antec's new TruePower design Power Supply, the previous model of the Antec ATX Power Supply Tester is not recommended for testing TruePower units. Please watch for Antec's new TruePower Tester, coming soon (6/26/2002)! Enjoy! GB

4. AMD Athlon XP Power Supply Manufacturers (6/11/2002).
   1. www1.amd.com/athlon/power
5. Intel(R) Boxed Products Technical Center - ATX12V Tested Power Supplies Web Site (6/24/2002).
   1. Pentium(R) 4 Processors - Power Supply Requirements (6/24/2002).
6. Desktop Form Factors - See: TFX12V Power Supply Design Guide (6/24/2002).
   1. Desktop Form Factors - Form Factors

Power Supplies...

1. Antec: TruePower Power Supplies (Dual Fans) - To test the power supply: (Tester Link Gone!)

2. Enermax: Dual Fans

3. www.Leadman.com.tw: LP-6100D (400 Watt + Dual Fans) & LP-6100E (500 Watt + Dual Fans)

4. PC Power & Cooling, Inc. – And then some! Simply The Best!

   1. ATX Power Tester
   2. www.pcpowercooling.com - Operating Temperature vs. System Reliability:

The following Table from Axion Technologies will serve as an example of 3 of the 4 brands of Power Supplies listed above for a comparative study of PC Power Supplies (9/28/2002).

Power Surge Protection...

1. Brick Wall Series Mode Surge Suppressors/Powerline Filters – The best!

2. Kensington: Products: Surge Protection
3. Tripp Lite Power Protection

Batteries...

• iGo™ >>> Mobile Technology Outfitter – (Formerly A.K.A. 1-800-Batteries)

Windows Power Management...

1. ACPI - Advanced Configuration Power Interface

2. APM - Advanced Power Management

3. See: Build Or Buy A PC CD Index – Disc 1, 9-29-99

4. On Now

Further Power Research & Study...

1. Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors Standard - UL 1449: Power Quality.  

2. UL 1449 Standard for Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors - 2nd Edition

3. www.leviton.com - THE NEW UL 1449:

4. Selecting Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors (Wisconsin Public Service Corporation)

5. Niagara Mohawk - Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors Standard
   
6. Gryphon, Inc. - Surge Suppressors vs. Power Conditioners
   
7. PG&E - Power Notes – ON SURGE SUPPRESSORS
   
8. Surge Suppressors Can Cause Fires
   
9. What Will Surge Suppressors Stop; Surge Suppression, Surge Protection Capabilities
   
10. U.S. Market for Power Line Surge Suppressors, Seventh Edition
    
11. The U.S. Market for Power Line Surge Suppressors – VDC Report Overview
    
12. Optimum Power – Index of / (A work in progress)