12v Rails... Wah?

[commandercup]

Well I've been hearing talk about amperage on the 12v rails... and that, thats what you really need in a PSU...

what does this mean:

+3.3V(36A), +5V(30A), +12V1(18A), +12V2(18A), +12V3(18A), +12V4(18A)

four 12v rails? do you add all the amps from the 12v's up?

 

[dario03]

Yes. But I belive less rails is more desirable. So 72amps on 2 rails is better than 72amps on 4 (or so I've heard).

 

[b1gapl]

So that would be 72A over four rails. I do agree with dario, in that less rails is preferred, but most people won't know the difference. Or the difference is pretty minimal.

 

[commandercup]

what exactly does 72 A on 12v rails mean? what is its purpose?

 

[b1gapl]

The +12v rails would be the most important rails, as it supplies power to the components, that draw the most power. So the +12v provides to the CPU, HDD, cooling, and GPU.

 

[commandercup]

ahhh ok, thanks, that explains it heh

 

[Apokalipse]

I wisgh more PSU's came with a single, more powerful +12V rail

 

[Deadpixel]

I thought you don't add 18. Someone said that is the peak, and you don't add them together.

Their can be a debate all day long about single rail vs multiple rails

 

[Vaanish]

I wisgh more PSU's came with a single, more powerful +12V rail

Same here... The only ones that I can think of are the PCP&C units... The silverstones only have 'virtual' rauils.

 

[UA_Iron]

I thought you don't add 18. Someone said that is the peak, and you don't add them together.

Their can be a debate all day long about single rail vs multiple rails

well, thats the max theoretical output 4X18 = 72 amps

The way power supplies are rated is a bit questionable - they usually give ratings at max power which probably isnt sustainable over a long period of time.

In my opinion, it would be better to have two 12V rails operating at 36 amps then 4 at 18.