Power Supply 101

[Gecko]

Hey Lady's & Gents

 

So here is my problem, I am looking to do a build for my brother. I am in Canada and I am going to be taking it to the UK.

I know back in the day some power supply's used to have the switch at the back but I have not seen them on any in the past 4 year's.

So does it now have a tolerance to be able to just go without and has like a auto inverter or do I and should I still be looking for a power supply with the switch?

 

Look forward to the reply's

 

Thanks.

[Julian5]

On 23/5/2018 at 12:33 AM, Gecko said:

Hey Lady's & Gents

 

So here is my problem, I am looking to do a build for my brother. I am in Canada and I am going to be taking it to the UK.

I know back in the day some power supply's used to have the switch at the back but I have not seen them on any in the past 4 year's.

So does it now have a tolerance to be able to just go without and has like a auto inverter or do I and should I still be looking for a power supply with the switch?

 

Look forward to the reply's

 

Thanks.

Most PSU's nowadays are multi-voltage, but check just in case. If not then us a step up/down transformer 

[Jurrunio]

Modern good PSUs use active PFC which automatically adapts to a range of voltage (say 100-240V) inputs. Back in the day, passive PFCs are in much wider use because active ones are too expensive, but this is no longer the case.

[Gecko]

So if I get a corsair one I can just use that and wont have to worry?

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

4 minutes ago, Gecko said:

So if I get a corsair one I can just use that and wont have to worry?

Assuming it's not the CXplosive or the VShit.

[Gecko]

Please recommend one please

[Stefan Payne]

6 hours ago, Gecko said:

I know back in the day some power supply's used to have the switch at the back but I have not seen them on any in the past 4 year's.

Yes because we are switching from a voltage doubler and passive PFC (if at all) in the old ones to an active PFC that doesn't really care about the input voltage and just boosts whatever comes in to around 400V (+/- 30V or so)

 

The switch just doubles the voltage after the bridge rectifier...

 

6 hours ago, Gecko said:

So does it now have a tolerance to be able to just go without and has like a auto inverter or do I and should I still be looking for a power supply with the switch?

If the label states that the Input voltage is 100-240V, then yes.

If the label states that the Input voltage is 200-240V, then no.

[Stefan Payne]

5 hours ago, Gecko said:

Please recommend one please

Where you buying? Canada or UK?
What do you want to pay??

What's the PC that it has to power??

 

I'd recomment getting a be quiet Straight Power 11 450 or 550W in the UK. Alternative: Bitfenix Formula, Whisper M.

[Gecko]

in Canada - CANADA Computers 

x99 motherboard 16 gb ram

[Gecko]

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_1238_442&item_id=119905

[Stefan Payne]

36 minutes ago, Gecko said:

in Canada - CANADA Computers 

x99 motherboard 16 gb ram

How do you plan to get the things to the UK?
Don't forget the Import tax you have to pay for that!

And if it is for your brother, isn't it easier to buy in UK???

 

PS: the PSU you found is shit.

and cost way more than in the UK!
https://skinflint.co.uk/corsair-vs-series-vs550-2018-cp-9020171-eu-a1755855.html

[Gecko]

you clearly have no idea about exchange rate mate, look up Canada to UK exchange rate and no I wont as I am British and its a gift so you dont have to pay import tax

[Guest]

6 hours ago, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

Assuming it's not the CXplosive or the VShit.

Idiot.

[Guest]

6 hours ago, Gecko said:

So if I get a corsair one I can just use that and wont have to worry?

All of the Corsair PSUs except for the old VS (orange and white label as opposed to black and gray) are full range and work in any region.

 

Due to efficiency "laws", PSUs with a voltage switch are a thing of the past.  But do make sure the PSU you buy supports your region's mains voltage.  

 

For example:  Some PSU's only work at 230V mains because they use lower current PFC parts.  But if the PSU says it supports a full range of input voltages (like 100V to 240V, for example) then you're fine regardless of what region you're using the PSU in.

 

[Gecko]

14 minutes ago, jonnyGURU said:

All of the Corsair PSUs except for the old VS (orange and white label as opposed to black and gray) are full range and work in any region.

 

Due to efficiency "laws", PSUs with a voltage switch are a thing of the past.  But do make sure the PSU you buy supports your region's mains voltage.  

 

For example:  Some PSU's only work at 230V mains because they use lower current PFC parts.  But if the PSU says it supports a full range of input voltages (like 100V to 240V, for example) then you're fine regardless of what region you're using the PSU in.

 

So i checked the one I picked and it says 100 to 240 so that would work right?

[Stefan Payne]

38 minutes ago, Gecko said:

you clearly have no idea about exchange rate mate, look up Canada to UK exchange rate and no I wont as I am British and its a gift so you dont have to pay import tax

79,90Canada Dollars -> 52,84€

38 Pounds -> ~43€

So before insulting someone you should double check what he is saying.

 

That doesn't change the fact that you should choose a better unit, not higher wattage.

And check the prices. Like this one its possible that the other one (one that I recommended) is cheaper in UK as well.

 

And don't count on the Customs Offices to believe that it is a gift!

So it might happen that you have to pay import tax anyway.

That's also something that could happen...

[Gecko]

I am from England and I have a Canadian citizen so if you don't lie then there should be no problem.

 

This is not my 1st trip back home.

[breixobaloca]

Moving on to the topic,

 

My main recommendation would be this one:

http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=33_1238_442&item_id=114205

This unit is pretty good, the price is good and it's way better than the VS series (they're the new VS, much better than the older ones, but still quite inferior to the GX-S).

 

 

[Christophe Corazza]

Giving some good advice to our neighbours ;-)

EU laws are really BS when it comes to importing things. However, if you keep the PC with you “all the time”, as (checked) luggage so to speak, you will be fine. Just don’t ship the case separately! I’m talking with experience unfortunately... :-(

[awesomegamer919]

On 5/23/2018 at 8:36 AM, orbitalbuzzsaw said:

Assuming it's not the CXplosive or the VShit.

CX is pretty good nowadays, and even the older model, whilst not good, wasn't explosive... VS is not very good, but it's not "shit" (Though the old one is kinda shit TBF)

[Gecko]

I plan to keep it with me the whole time and just have it in a bag with lots of clothing and that in it. but thanks for the advice

[Motifator]

I'd honestly buy one of these (I did, in fact, get the 650W version for one of my rigs).

https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/product/bkp323/seasonic-focus-plus-gold-550w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-ssr-550fx