BP - is that what is in the computer?

Do you often see cuts that you do not know? Most of them can be deciphered in different ways, leading the reader to a dead end. But, perhaps, everyone who has ever read about computers and their components knows about the BP. This is one of the less significant, according to users, component parts. But in fact it can bring you as much trouble, and noticeably improve the system.

Explanation

Speech, as you may have guessed, will go about the power supply. This device converts the alternating current into a constant one, with different voltage values. Serves to make up the electricity of all components of the computer system.

If you still do not understand what a PSU is, it's simply a protective barrier, which does not allow electricity drops to burn the motherboard, processor or graphics card. Protects the PC from interference and, if structurally located at the top of the chassis, cools the case.

For what?

In general, we have decided on the tasks of the power supply unit. But why is it as important to the user as other components of the system? Its quality and parameters directly affect the performance of the PC. Noticing any problems, the user can blame the motherboard or the elements on it. But often the problem is in the BP. What does it mean? Your power supply may not be pulling the required system power.

This option may be caused by the fact that you added to the board, for example, an additional bar of RAM. And there is an option that the BP model was initially of poor quality, and its power was not enough. Hence the various kinds of braking system, and sometimes the failure of components.

Voltage

The choice of BP is one of the difficult moments, along with the purchase of the motherboard or processor. He, too, requires attentiveness and a clear understanding of goals and performance. It has already been mentioned above that by converting the current from the mains, the power unit generates a constant electricity, but with different voltage indices. In modern models, the voltage is represented by three factors: +3.3, +5 and +12 V.

Each of these lines has its own maximum power. In addition, the +12 V line can also be divided into several power directions. If you see a value of 400 W on the packaging with the PSU, you should understand that this is the total power figure for all channels. But if you collect all the maximum power values for individual channels, then the figure will be somewhat larger.

Hence it becomes clear that if one of the lines is overloaded and the remaining ones are free, the system is unstable, even if the total sum of power is the same 400 watts. In order to avoid such changes, it is worthwhile to clearly understand what a BP is and what its parameters are important for the system.

Diversity

Depending on your goals and the entire system, you need to pay attention to the purchase of the power supply. They have several varieties, although the most popular is still considered the form factor ATX. It already has established and standardized characteristics. Although there are modifications from individual manufacturers with slightly modified dimensions and parameters. Therefore, if you saw that the specification specifies the ATX form factor, this does not mean that you have a suitable model in front of you.

Of course, the assembly of the system should not begin with the purchase of BP directly. Initially, they try to build everything on the motherboard, and then, in accordance with the requirements of the voltage components on the motherboard, and choose the power supply.

Interconnection

We can assume that the BP system is a finishing touch, which is no less important than the other components. After analyzing the assembled system, you will understand which model you need. So, looking at the motherboard, you will need to deal with the connector. It can be 20 or 24 pins, or it can be 20 + 4 pins. For modern models, you need a wire to power the processor, so you may need additional cables for 6 or 8 pins.

It will be necessary to synchronize with the hard drive and the drive. Here, too, is worth looking at the HDD model to understand what cables and connectors are needed: either molex or SATA. To the video card, you also need to choose an approach, depending on the availability of individual connectors. There is a way out of the "paws" of incompatibility - these are adapters. They will most often save you if you overlook something.

Certification

In addition to the presence of connectors, it is important to look at the 80 PLUS certificate. This "sign" indicates the effectiveness of the BP. So you can understand how effectively the device converts the supplied current from the network into a constant one. This indicator can be learned by analyzing the behavior of the power supply in different modes.

Depending on the degree of load - 10%, 20%, 50% and 100% - the certificate shows the conditionally called "efficiency" of the BP. Now there are already 6 types of this certificate. The most basic is called 80 PLUS, the others began to add a postscript, depending on their steepness. So, the most effective certificate at the moment is 80 PLUS Titanium. With a 100% load, it shows an efficiency of 91%.

To explain certification in practice, it is enough to imagine the situation when you have a 500W power supply in your hand. To make it work like that, he needs to spend 588 watts. The difference of almost 100 watts goes into the banal heat, which all components will feel. Than this difference is smaller, the power supply unit is more efficient, which means that you save on electricity bills.

To determine what certification your model has, just look at the box. There the manufacturer with a large icon indicates this main advantage. Analysis of the cost of the device will not let you lie either. The more effective it is, the more expensive it is.

Options

BP - this, at first glance, is just a small box, in which there is nothing special. In fact, when choosing a power supply, you need to pay attention to a lot of different parameters. The first is the manufacturer. Someone will say that branded models are always more expensive, but if with smartphones or other gadgets, buying an unknown brand can drive, then with a power supply unit such things will not pass. The PSU can burn all the elements on the motherboard, so choosing which is cheaper is not an option. Take a closer look at popular manufacturers who understand what BP means for the whole system.

Do not forget about the ability to generate the required voltages in different modes. It is impossible for the BP to exceed the standards beyond the standards, otherwise to be in trouble. Check this parameter before buying can be through the reviews. Only tests will show how the device really works.

The power unit (PSU) bribes and its power. When the user sees a mark of 500-600 watts, he does not think about the true values of the indicator. He believes that this is more than the standard 400 watts, and therefore, it is necessary to take. In fact, as we have already explained, the required power depends on all the components of the system.

Well and one more parameter - cooling. The PSU is an additional fan in the system. So do not forget about this useful ability. There are options and with passive cooling, there are also with huge fans that blow in different directions. The choice depends on the system and your goals.