Why do you need good VRMs for overclocking ?

[GAlbert]

So for my graduation i have to do a presentation over a subject i like in physics and the only one i like is the one talking about capacitors. VRMs are made of capacitors; so i decided to make my essay on them, but i want to know what is the reason you need good VRMs to get to higher voltages, like what happens to the capacitors that leads to system instability ?

[WereCatf]

4 minutes ago, GAlbert said:

VRMs are made of capacitors

No. The most important components of the VRM are the inductors and their drivers, not the capacitors. Bad PWM-drivers can cause fluctuations or they may simply burn under a heavy load, and bad inductors may also burn. Some VRM-designs also  use a single driver to drive multiple inductors, so there it is even more important that the driver can handle its task well.

[Enderman]

VRM = voltage regulation module

It is a lot more components than just capacitors.

They need to be able to handle the additional power consumption of an overclocked CPU without falling out of regulation or burning up.

[GAlbert]

4 minutes ago, Enderman said:

VRM = voltage regulation module

It is a lot more components than just capacitors.

They need to be able to handle the additional power consumption of an overclocked CPU without falling out of regulation or burning up.

 

8 minutes ago, WereCatf said:

No. The most important components of the VRM are the inductors and their drivers, not the capacitors. Bad PWM-drivers can cause fluctuations or they may simply burn under a heavy load, and bad inductors may also burn. Some VRM-designs also  use a single driver to drive multiple inductors, so there it is even more important that the driver can handle its task well.

Oop, sorry, i konw VRMs are more than just capacitors but i have to focus on just them  

[Enderman]

2 minutes ago, GAlbert said:

 

Oop, sorry, i konw VRMs are more than just capacitors but i have to focus on just them  

The capacitors are usually not an issue, it is the mosfets that often overheat.

[WereCatf]

1 minute ago, GAlbert said:

Oop, sorry, i konw VRMs are more than just capacitors but i have to focus on just them  

Well, then your presentation will be sorely lacking. Capacitors as part of the entire VRM-solution or anywhere else in an electronic device aren't different, so there's not much to say: if the caps can't supply the needed power to tide over any transient dips, then there's obviously a dip in power being supplied to the other components and that can cause instabilities.

[GAlbert]

Just now, WereCatf said:

Well, then your presentation will be sorely lacking. Capacitors as part of the entire VRM-solution or anywhere else in an electronic device aren't different, so there's not much to say: if the caps can't supply the needed power to tide over any transient dips, then there's obviously a dip in power being supplied to the other components and that can cause instabilities.

Well, my presentation must be physics centered, like physical phenomena. Its not a long presentation, its supposed to last 5 mins and i thought talking about the capacitive effect would be the most interesting stuff 

[WereCatf]

4 minutes ago, GAlbert said:

Well, my presentation must be physics centered, like physical phenomena. Its not a long presentation, its supposed to last 5 mins and i thought talking about the capacitive effect would be the most interesting stuff 

Sure, go ahead, make your presentation about capacitors and capacitance, if you wish. Trying to make a presentation about capacitors in a VRM-design specifically, though, is pointless: caps are caps and they work the same, no matter where you put them.

[Chris Pratt]

That's has the best explanation of VRMs I've ever heard.