What wattage does a 400 watt power supply actually run at?

PSUs: The source of DC power for all components in the PC & often a big noise source.

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dan_hxff
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What wattage does a 400 watt power supply actually run at?

Post by dan_hxff » Mon May 12, 2003 10:08 am

What wattage does a 400 watt power supply actually run at?

If you buy a 400 watt power supply and install it in a modest computer that only needs a 250 watt power supply what happens? Does the P/S still run at 400 watts? Are you squandering electricity day and night if you leave it running? Or what wattage will it run at to power this modest computer?

My own guess is even with a computer that needs a 400 watt supply, the max it ever cruises at is ~200 watts.



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energy
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Post by energy » Mon May 12, 2003 6:29 pm

A 400W PSU can deliver 400W if needed. If you're pulling 200W from it, thats how much it will give. Just like a Ferrari isn't always doing 200mph :)
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