PSU calculators...

[Baron]

These are fun to use, but I was wondering if there is a 'near enough' list of what amps components use, so that I could look at my components, or others if I was planning a build for someone else.
I only use AMD cpu's and Nvidia gfx cards......also Abit boards.............too set in my ways, and ancient at 61 years...:D
For example:

HDD's (I assume Sata/Pata drives would draw about the same)
Floppy drives.
Memory sticks.
GFX cards............probably difficult to set a figure.
Motherboard.
Opticals.
PCI cards (sound for example)
etc.....
I know this is probably a stupid question, but just wondering if looking at the parts I would get, to be able to do a rough calculation to get an amps draw to decide on a PSU.

A list and their rough amps draw would be nice for this one brain cell person....:D
Otherwise.........just ignore me :cool:

[jonnyGURU]

These are fun to use, but I was wondering if there is a 'near enough' list of what amps components use, so that I could look at my components, or others if I was planning a build for someone else.

I wish. :D

I usually just guestimate on a case by case basis.

[Baron]

I try to guesstimate too :D
HDD's about 2A ?

[jonnyGURU]

2A maximum, but 3A on initial cold start.

[Baron]

Thanks............all info helps. :cool:

[Cornrow Harfoot]

2A maximum, but 3A on initial cold start.


Does that mean any time they werent getting power trickle for awhile, or just the first time you use those drives?

/sets off n00b alarm:o

[Bbq]

From a cold boot. Ie: Your pc has been off all night. You turn it on.

[Cornrow Harfoot]

Thank you, my smokey friend!

Is there rule of thumb for the difference between cold and warm start reqs?

Does it primarily affect spinning storage or does it affect all components?

[jonnyGURU]

I think hard drives are the only thing with a higher cold spin up draw. Even fans don't pull more to spin up, but a fan blade is considerably lighter than a HDD platter. ;)

For a "project" I was measuring power draw cold and hot with my clamping ammeter. Cold, as in was off for several hours, the drive pulled 3A. After that, the drive would only pull a maximum of 2A, even under heavy use. After shutting down, and even waiting for the discs to spin down completely, the drive would only draw 2.5A to spin up on a cold boot.