Ideas for making a PSU run off of 12V DC

[p4l1ndr0m3]

Just like the title says, I am interested in running a regular ATX PSU, like the Corsair 400CX, on 12V DC and what customization it would entail to make it work. Yes, I know that you can purchase dedicated 12V PSUs, but I have yet to find any with a decent enough power rating. But, if someone knows of a quiet, efficient, and cool running 12V DC PSU with about as much power as the 400CX, I'll skip the customization and look at that.

In case you were wondering, this PSU is for a potential secret project I'm thinking about starting.

[Zero82z]

You can't run the CX400 off of +12VDC. It's not a DC-DC design, so the minor rails are generated separately from the +12V output. You would need to use a PSU with DC-DC VRMs, so you could feed +12V into them to generate the +3.3V and +5V outputs. Even then, you'd still need a source for the +5VSB rail.

[p4l1ndr0m3]

You can't run the CX400 off of +12VDC. It's not a DC-DC design, so the minor rails are generated separately from the +12V output. You would need to use a PSU with DC-DC VRMs, so you could feed +12V into them to generate the +3.3V and +5V outputs. Even then, you'd still need a source for the +5VSB rail.

Damn, kinda what I was afraid of. I may end up having to use multiple purpose built DC to DC PSUs. Hmm, back to the interwebs to search for a magic solution! :fire: :beer: :crazy:

[Zap]

I know that you can purchase dedicated 12V PSUs, but I have yet to find any with a decent enough power rating.

I don't see a problem. Just get a 150W PicoPSU, and then run any PCIe or EPS straight from the 12v source (assuming it is a clean source). The PicoPSU will take care of all the minor rails for the motherboard and any drives. The 12v source takes care of the CPU and GPU.