Could someone explain these to me?

[ThaWade]

PSU: LITEON PS-5221-9AB

Input: 100-127/ 220-240V ~ 6/3.15A 50-60 Hz

DC OUTPUT: +5V---/14A MAX -12V---0.3A MAX +12V---/14A MAX

(chinese writing?) +5V(SB)---/2A MAX +3.3V ---/13A MAX

+3.3V & +5V TOTAL OUTPUT NOT EXCEED 80W

+3.3V & +5V & +12V & -12V & +5Vsb TOTAL OUTPUT NOT EXCEED 220W

I guess the main thing i'm curious about..

1) What hardware use which voltage? example +3.3V = RAM? or?
2) What is the -12V?
3) Is this a single rail? (I think it is) or duel rail? (not important just curious)
4) How do you tell single rail PSU from multi rail PSU's by looking at the label?(again just curious about the working of PSU's..not important)

I'm in the market for a new PSU .. since i want to add a graphics card and I'm scared of this OEM one..(i've seen several posts/youtube vids where people used these PSU's for upto a AMD 6650 i believe it was. But I would hate to burn up a 50-100 GPU or more, just to save some money by not getting a PSU.) SO if someone could help me to understand the workings of this one. maybe I will feel more comfortable about purchasing one.

EDIT: My system specs may or may not be important but here they are..
Athlon II X2 220 (Thermal Design Power 65 Watt)
8gb (2x4GB) DDR3 PC3-10600 .. http://www.crucial.com/store/partspe...4G3D1337DT1TX0
2.5" SATA HDD
DVD+-R-RW SATA (this I barely use)
USB Network adapter
Items that get attached periodically
USB Flash Drive
USB powered Headphones

[yojo2]

1. In a nutshell: 3.3V - RAM; 5V - HDD electronics, SSD; 12V - ODD & HDD mechanics, CPU, GPU, case fans. This applies to modern rigs like yours.
2. Not really used that much AFAIK. I think that PCI (not PCIe) slots use -12V.
3 & 4. Single rail, since there is just one 12V rail mentioned on the label (nevermind the -12V).

[rafal_iB_PL]

3 & 4. Single rail, since there is just one 12V rail mentioned on the label (nevermind the -12V).

Unless maker gets sneaky and advertises unit, that is in fact multi-rail, as single-rail one. In that case inspection of innards may be required.

Though I doubt it is the case this time.

[c_hegge]

^
Usually it's done the other way (ie. the PSU is single rail, but the label says two 12V rails)

[walterm]

Video cards without PCIe plugs get their power from the PCIE2.0(3.0)X16 Slot, not exceeding 75 watts.
The electrical formula is A (Amps) X V (Volts)= Watts
14 A x 12 V = 168 watts available
Your CPU is 65 watt, 2.5 HDD is minor, as are other uses.
HD 6670 and HD 7750 use slot power only (google reviews for actual power usage)
Remember max numbers only accure when both CPU and video card are 100%.

The stickies concerning power supplies would be a place to start.

[ThaWade]

Originally Posted by yojo2

1. In a nutshell: 3.3V - RAM; 5V - HDD electronics, SSD; 12V - ODD & HDD mechanics, CPU, GPU, case fans. This applies to modern rigs like yours.
2. Not really used that much AFAIK. I think that PCI (not PCIe) slots use -12V.
3 & 4. Single rail, since there is just one 12V rail mentioned on the label (nevermind the -12V).

So, a let's say dual rail PSU would have 2 +12V ratings with amp ratings for both? Tried to find the example I saw in one of jonny's stickies but can't remember which one it was in. And thanks for the -12V explanation and stifling my curiosity.

Originally Posted by walterm

The stickies concerning power supplies would be a place to start.

Yes I read a few of those but, since I know NOTHING about power supplies and there inner workings it was all a little over whelming. Which is why I wanted the PSU I have explained. So I could look at the label on it as a comparison to the explanation. I can read something all day and never get an understanding for it. I'm a hands on type person. sorry.

[ThaWade]

Originally Posted by walterm

Video cards without PCIe plugs get their power from the PCIE2.0(3.0)X16 Slot, not exceeding 75 watts.
The electrical formula is A (Amps) X V (Volts)= Watts
14 A x 12 V = 168 watts available
Your CPU is 65 watt, 2.5 HDD is minor, as are other uses.
HD 6670 and HD 7750 use slot power only (google reviews for actual power usage)
Remember max numbers only accure when both CPU and video card are 100%.

I used a few of the power supply finder apps out there on a couple of different websites. they recommend atleast 240W PSU. For either 6670 or 7750 I believe with no usb things plugged in. So let me try and do the math see if i understand this...
14A x 12V = 168w - 65w(cpu) = 103w - 75w(HD7750) = 28w

The wattage for GPU is high I know.. most reviews/benchmarks put it at 65w max.

Does the wattage formula (Amp x voltage = X) apply to all eletronics? If so ..

DVD R-RW 12v x 1.5A = 18w (if this formula is correct, is that minimum wattage or maximum? Or is there no way to tell without running some kind of benchmark?)

14A x 12V = 168w - 65w(cpu) = 103w - 75w(HD7750) = 28w - 18w(optical) = 10w

Anything I'm missing? Motherboard? Forgot to look at it while I had computer apart.
But depending on the motherboard there should be 10w left on the +12V rail.

Hmm and I think I'm finally starting to understand jonny's stickies

[yojo2]

Originally Posted by ThaWade

So, a let's say dual rail PSU would have 2 +12V ratings with amp ratings for both?

Yup.

[walterm]

Most ratings are "max" as implying otherwise could lead to trouble.
Power supply calculators notoriously overcompensate for (politely) underperforming power supplies.

Actual in use power measurement is usually lower than expected. Beware the difference betwwen "from the wall" power measurement and " used by the computer"
wattage.

Usually multirail is designated V1, V2, V3, etc.

The Seasonic 360G has been reviewed recently, compare the "volt/amp" table, and the reviews.
http://www.silentpcreview.com/Seasonic_G360

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/artic...ly-Review/1634

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php...Story&reid=313

http://translate.google.com/translat...p%3Ft%3D407789

http://translate.google.com/translat...s-360watt.html

http://www.kitguru.net/components/po...supply-review/

Anyway these are all the reviews listed on "realhardtechx.comhttp://realhardtechx.com" data base.

[ThaWade]

Originally Posted by walterm

1) Most ratings are "max" as implying otherwise could lead to trouble.

2)Power supply calculators notoriously overcompensate for (politely) underperforming power supplies.

3)Actual in use power measurement is usually lower than expected. Beware the difference betwwen "from the wall" power measurement and " used by the computer" wattage.

Usually multirail is designated V1, V2, V3, etc.

1) Yes I know this from dealing with car audio speakers/amps. 500 watt continous 1100watt Max.Anything over 1100 watt and you usually blew something. And if you were over 500 too long.

2)This I've heard is true of the GPU manufacturers as well. for there Recommended PSU requirements.

3) I have no idea what this information is pertaining to.

But lets not forget this post.. I still don't know if I"m the right track with my math.. Maybe jonny will do the math for me

Originally Posted by ThaWade

I used a few of the power supply finder apps out there on a couple of different websites. they recommend atleast 240W PSU. For either 6670 or 7750 I believe with no usb things plugged in. So let me try and do the math see if i understand this...
14A x 12V = 168w - 65w(cpu) = 103w - 75w(HD7750) = 28w

The wattage for GPU is high I know.. most reviews/benchmarks put it at 65w max.

Does the wattage formula (Amp x voltage = X) apply to all eletronics? If so ..

DVD R-RW 12v x 1.5A = 18w (if this formula is correct, is that minimum wattage or maximum? Or is there no way to tell without running some kind of benchmark?)

14A x 12V = 168w - 65w(cpu) = 103w - 75w(HD7750) = 28w - 18w(optical) = 10w

Anything I'm missing? Motherboard? Forgot to look at it while I had computer apart.
But depending on the motherboard there should be 10w left on the +12V rail.

Hmm and I think I'm finally starting to understand jonny's stickies