2 PSUs on one machine?

[Big Red S]

Mornin all.

I've been having problems with my computer that has been diagnosed as a power supply problem elsewhere on this forum. I've got a 220w PSU in the box at the minute, and i've got a 300w box, er, spare.

Can i plug the two into the m/board + drives so they share the load?

The only problem i can see is that if there are two circuits, there wont be one single neutral to take a reference from, which'd piss about with the signals going from place to place? But i've spoken to people who reckon there *might* be something in place to stop it all going to pot.

[david eaton]

It " might" be possible to use two supplies, but not with them both connected to the same part of the load.
Using one for the motherboard, and the other for drives/fans etc may work, providing they are both connected to the case electrically. However, as most supplies need a minimum load on all rails, and the one powering drives would have no load on the 3.3V rail you may blow the supply! Switching the supplies would also be difficult, without using a relay to operate both at once.
Without experience of electronics construction it would be difficult, and probably more expensive that buying a larger supply in the first place.

TRY IT AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! I wouldn't.

[Paul Komski]

It's not that simple as connecting two ordinary batteries in parallel. I wouldn't do it since if nothing else you will have micro-currents flowing between the two PSUs and the feedback from the mobo will also be problematic.

By all means swap them - but I would recommend you go get a new one - a good PSU is well worth the investment.

I see David has been honing his speed-typing skills!! ;)

[Big Red S]

Yeah, it was those micro-currrents that i could see causing loverly problems

Looks like it's a new PSU then...

[Fruss Tray Ted]

What do you plan on having in this pc? If it is an older mobo, non-intensive graphics, cd-Rom and a burner, couple more pci cards, a 300 watt supply will work fine.

If you are upgrading to more than that, then by all means get at least a 400W supply.

BTW I am using a 300W PS right now and have no issues with it. 2 HDD's, 2 optical drives, nics and dial modem, and other cards from time to time such as pci scsi controller and it just keeps on going. :cool:

[Big Red S]

It's a fairly new MB, but an old P4 (1.6GHz i think). Radeon 9200 graphics. 2x CD drive, 2xHDD, a few USB devices. Thinking about upgrading the processor, and i want to get a proper sound card, so i'll need a bit of power.

My brother tells me he's found me a 350W or 400W one (he's not sure yet) that'll work and be free. So as soon as he gets hold of that i'll plug it in and (hopefully) it'll all be good.