Power Supply Flashcards
What is the standardised PSU size called?
ATX PSU
What voltage is UK?
230v
What voltage is USA
110v
What is an ATX power connector?
20+4 pin power connector for motherboard.
What voltage is the yellow wire for an ATX PSU?
Yellow is 12v
What essential is a PSU’s first job?
To act as a step down transformer from AV to DC.
What colour wire is 12v for an ATX PSU?
12v is yellow
4+4P are what?
ATX 12v Extension for motherboard, primarily gives extra power to the CPU
ATX 12v Extension for motherboard, primarily gives extra power to the CPU is what type of connector?
4+4P
What connector is this?
6+2 PCIe, used for GPU’s
What connector is this?
8 pin PCIe, used for GPU’s
What connector is this?
Floppy drive connector
What connector is this?
Molex. Powers accessories such as fans.
What connector is this?
SATA connector for storage drives.
What is a modular PSU?
A PSU that allows you attach and remove cables from the PSU itself.
Allows for easier and better cable management and airflow.
What is the 80 Plus rating system?
80 Plus is a rating system for the efficency of the PSU.
What are the tiers of 80 Plus?
Plus Standard,
Plus Bronze,
Plus Silver,
Plus Gold,
Plus Platinum,
Plus Titanium.
What causes PSU’s to be less than 100% effiecent.
Heat and resistance.
What must be checked before purchasing a PSU?
Wattage needs of the system. Ensure there is headroom for peak draw.
Heatsinks do what?
Move heat from a source device, passive, and to a cooling device, active.
Overheating will cause what symptom for a user?
Rebooting
Fan speeds can be controlled through?:
Firmware
Software
Both
Fan speeds can be controlled through both firmware and software.
What 2 ways are PSU’s known to die?
Very fast, eg smoke, burning
Very slow, eg unexpected shutdown, no power.
What tool can be used to check a PSU?
PSU volt tester or volt/multimeter.
Whilst using a voltage tester on a working +12v1 and 2 what voltage would you expect?
12.2v-12.6v
11-12v may work but will cause issues.
A voltage tester on a PSU’s +12v2 reads 11.4. What does this mean?
The PSU may work but may cause issues.
A voltage tester on a PSU’s +12v1 reads 12.4. What does this mean?
The PSU is working normally.
How can a PSU fan be tested witout having everything pluged in?
Bridge the green wire pin to any black wire pin on a motherboard ATX 20/+4 connector.
How would you test a PSU with a Volt/Multimeter?
Voltmeter set to 20v DC.
Spare motherboard plugged in (nothing else needed).
Red probe into a yellow 12V
Black prob into any black ground.
Using a jumper or metal or onboard button turn on motherboard.
Looking for the above 12v on volt/multimeter (+0.2-0.6v)
What voltage is the red wire for an ATX PSU?
Red is 5v
What voltage is the orange wire for an ATX PSU?
Orange wire is 3.3v
What colour wire is 5v for an ATX PSU?
5v is red.
What colour wire is 3.3v for an ATX PSU?
3.3v is orange.
