Smart Computing Article - Basic Troubleshooting- Power Supplies

A typical power supply looks like a metal box with wire harnesses sprouting from one side. Should you need to verify your PSU’s brand and model to look up its specs or seek tech support, you’ll need to read its label. This probably will require you to open your PC’s case. Power supplies are marketed primarily by wattage ratings. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because in general, a novice can pretty much assume that a current-generation PSU with number of watts and the right connectors will handle his computer’s needs, and more often than not, he’ll be right. There’s no real penalty (and even some power-saving benefits to be had) from purchasing a power supply with “too much” wattage, save a higher price. On the other hand, manufacturers don’t all report their products’ wattage the same way, and there are many caveats and electrical formulae behind that deceptively simple number. Performance enthusiasts and gamers in particular should look deeper into a PSU’s specs, especially the temperature (such as 50 degrees Celsius, or 122 degrees Fahrenheit) at which the manufacturer logged those specs. If the rated temperature is lower than the typical temp inside a running computer, such as 25 C, the PSU will be less efficient and provide less power during normal use. The hotter the temperatures, the weaker a power supply will be due to increased resistance. Also, the number of amperes on each