PC Tech Thread

Did a power calculation and it was about 650W for the whole PC. Don't really like being that close to the full output power. Don't know if it's still true but I was always told PSU's ran happiest at about 50% load.

PSU's ran happiest at about 50% load

Don't anthropomorphise PSUs, they hate it.

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/psu-effiency-is-optimal-at-50-load.3462967/

Cherrypicking one opposing comment, because I don't know either way.

"This is not true, depends on efficiency curve - every PSU has different.
Modern PSU's are most efficient in 20-80% range. Differences on efficiency per load are kinda marginal."

But those calculators already consider absolute theoretical peak power with a safety margin. It would be running at a fraction of 650 W most of the time.

We should be trying to use less power.

We should be trying to use less power.

Hence the T processor in my new box 😏

Damaged usb socket

But those calculators already consider absolute theoretical peak power with a safety margin. It would be running at a fraction of 650 W most of the time.

What would be the average power?

We should be trying to use less power.

Cycling slower?

I'm using less power by having the boot drive self destruct so there's no point turning on the PC.

Use less power != make less power.

(I'd actually originally written something like "unlike cycling where we want max power..."

We should be trying to use less power

By reducing rolling resistance, aerodynamic drag, friction etc.

I just bought a massive steel bike with huge tyres. OMG the planet's burning! What have I done?!

steel bike

Definitely the greenest option

Not sure that is relevant and completely dependent on what you use CPU/GPU for

It's also straightforward to power-limit the RTX 40-series GPUs and cap the maximum wattage without losing much peak performance at all.

With an RTX 4090 GPU set to a 60% power limit and a modern high-end consumer CPU capped at ~100W TDP, you can easily run an entire RTX 4090 system with a decent 500W PSU and only lose ~8% peak GPU performance.

Not sure that is relevant and completely dependent on what you use CPU/GPU for

Ok. I'm happy to use worst case scenario and plan for a full load.

Seems pointless not too if average load can't be quantified.

Plus it futureproofs the build.

Yeah I know, I only have a 600 W PSU because I couldn't find a lower capacity one in stock with modular cables

I'm labouring the point, but you buy the PSU for your maximum actual power requirement, not average, as it's irrelevant. And it's not really future proofing if you already have an adequate (likely more than adequate) PSU.

Ok. Not really understanding this as I have bought a PSU for my maximum (and more) power requirements. The current PSU is a 12 year old Bronze and I'm finally buying a modern Gold. Can you explain what is a 'maximum actual power requirement'?

A upgrade to a new Gold PSU seems more efficient than using a old one. So, what am I doing wrong?

You've spent £100+ unnecessarily that will take you a long time to recoup by (maybe) slightly better efficiency. But that is up to you. And after 12 years it's no big deal!

By 'actual power' I mean the power you use, which you'd measure at the wall socket.

You've spent £100+ unnecessarily

I've just spent £1350 on the revamp.

£100? Meh, not a build-budget killer.

By 'actual power' I mean the power you use, which you'd measure at the wall socket.

But I can't measure that until I've built up the new PC with all of its components. Which means buying a PSU.

This is going around in circles so I'm done. I'm taking the PC apart again tomorrow, adding the new GPU and PSU to the new CPU, MB and SSD and playing Alien Isolation all Easter Weekend until I pass out or get hyper-anxious about hiding in lockers.

Sorry, I'm not entirely thinking straight at the moment.

Enjoy A:I. I should give it another go now I finally have a PC that will run it... I think there is an essential anti-aliasing mod. Although it's probably a bit too exciting for me these days.

Did you know that on one of the console versions, the alien can hear you breathing through your controller?

does anyone have a cheap keyboard and mouse combo that uses some sort of USB wireless protocol and not bluetooth?

I've got a set which is more than 20 years old which I used to use with a failed attempt at building my own under TV media thing. It has a USB receiver puck not much smaller than a mouse.

If I was buying today I'd probably get something like this: https://www.currys.co.uk/products/logitech-combo-mk270-wireless-keyboard-and-mouse-set-21426662.html