80+ certification for folding

[Kayn]

This though came up when I was taking a shower (best place to think right?) and I have no idea why but I was thinking that since Bronze, silver, gold and platinum help with efficiency when using a computer this would mean that going for a gold or platinum when folding will make a big difference than a bronze certified power supply when folding. After a while wouldn't the gold or platinum be worth it? 

[Cacao]

It just means you will be using less power to achieve a certain amount of wattage. Usually the amount you save in power doesn't justify the extra cost. It doesn't affect performance in any way.

[Kayn]

It just means you will be using less power to achieve a certain amount of wattage. Usually the amount you save in power doesn't justify the extra cost. It doesn't affect performance in any way.

yes I know that it won't affect performance in anyway but I was thinking (which I should have put in the OP) for a computer that is folding 24/7. Since folding does draw a lot of power the efficiency would be better since its going to be on 24/7.

[João Severino]

If you fold 24/7 then yes it would payoff to have a more efficient power supply

A high efficient power supply would pay itself in a few months of 24/7 folding

[Cacao]

yes I know that it won't affect performance in anyway but I was thinking (which I should have put in the OP) for a computer that is folding 24/7. Since folding does draw a lot of power the efficiency would be better since its going to be on 24/7.

Well if you want actual numbers to see if you'll save anything, use some power consumption calculator and see over a year how much how much it would cost to run your 80+ bronze PSU at full load, then take off about 8% and see if that price difference is enough to buy a platinum PSU. (Bronze is about 82% efficiency, platinum is about 90%).

[WoodenMarker]

yes I know that it won't affect performance in anyway but I was thinking (which I should have put in the OP) for a computer that is folding 24/7. Since folding does draw a lot of power the efficiency would be better since its going to be on 24/7.

It's generally not much money saved.

You'd have to run several years at 100% load to even come close to the extra money spent on a gold/platinum psu over a bronze plus.

[Whaler_99]

And, you need to run at near peak draw to take advantage of the full efficiency. If you just have a standard system, one or even two decent GPU's, you might never get into the right threshold on say a 750 Watt Gold/Plat PSU, or even bronze for that matter.

 

I have Gold PSU's for both my bigger folders, as they both draw near the peak wattage. On the one 15A circuit, I am pulling almost 1,800 watts total.

[warmon6]

 On the one 15A circuit, I am pulling almost 1,800 watts total.

 

I dont think you're giving the electric company enough love. 

[Kayn]

I dont think you're giving the electric company enough love. 

They probably give whaler a Christmas bonus so he can spend it on more parts for folding.

[Hoppa]

Isn't the maximum efficiency at 50 or 60% (power draw) for those power supplies?

[Kayn]

Isn't the maximum efficiency at 50 or 60% (power draw) for those power supplies?

[Hoppa]

80 Plus test type 115V internal non-redundant 230V internal redundant Fraction of rated load 10% 20% 50% 100% 10% 20% 50% 100% 80 Plus   80% 80% 80%         80 Plus Bronze   82% 85% 82%   81% 85% 81% 80 Plus Silver   85% 88% 85%   85% 89% 85% 80 Plus Gold   87% 90% 87%   88% 92% 88% 80 Plus Platinum   90% 92% 89%   90% 94% 91% 80 Plus Titanium         90% 94% 96% 91%

lol no I meant that at about 60% of the total output of the PSU the efficiency is at its peek.

 

EDIT: so you would want a PSU that is about double your computers requirements in order to save the most.

[Kayn]

lol no I meant that at about 60% of the total output of the PSU the efficiency is at its peek.

 

EDIT: so you would want a PSU that is about double your computers requirements in order to save the most.

well this is all just hypothetical, since generally the more efficient the PSU is, the less energy is wasted into heat. It was just a though that came into my head when I was in the shower and also I *might* be planning on building a folding a rig.