How do you use 2 power supplies

RevolutionaryRob · November 10th, 2006

Hi there, I am going to be getting a CM Stacker and I want to put two power supplies in it. One would be on top, one would be on the bottom.

(1) Do they make power supply that I connect the two together so that I can use the one power switch on the front of the case to turn the computer on and off?

(2) My power supply has a switch on it that I can cut off power to the case - is this common, and is there a way that the top power supply switch can be used to turn off both power supplies?

(3) Having never used 2 power supplies before, what might I not know that would make a difference in how I set this up?

Thank you very much in advance. - Rob

**drew and not u** · November 10th, 2006

Psh, you don't need to do that. Using two PSUs is a relatively easy mod.
A quick google search: a comprehensive guide
more guides
Good luck! =)

**Hitman** · November 10th, 2006

Here is a another guide

Zambini · November 10th, 2006

yea I was gonna suggest shorting the green (or sometimes yellow).

Pretty much just have one of em normal and the other one a lab psu.

**MantaBase** · November 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by RevolutionaryRob

Hi there, I am going to be getting a CM Stacker and I want to put two power supplies in it. One would be on top, one would be on the bottom.

(1) Do they make power supply that I connect the two together so that I can use the one power switch on the front of the case to turn the computer on and off?

Actually, some servers use this setup. The poweredge I used to play with was like this. Both PSU's ran into a block and powered the system. Of one failed, supposedly the system could continue with reduced function. But Like they said above, its a simple mod to do it with cheaper supplies.

Quote:

(2) My power supply has a switch on it that I can cut off power to the case - is this common, and is there a way that the top power supply switch can be used to turn off both power supplies?

Its not uncommon to have a switchable PSU - don't confusing that with a switching PSU. Its unlikely, but if your PSU (the one with the switch) has an output socket, you can daisy chain.

Quote:

(3) Having never used 2 power supplies before, what might I not know that would make a difference in how I set this up?

Be sure to power the Motherboard and components directly on the MB with the same (primary PSU). If not, you might see stability issues. At the very minimum, make sure the MB is powered by 1 PSU only - do this or lose a MB. Then power peripherals with the other PSU (HDD, optical drives, etc...).

Thats my advice. Hope that helps :)

Manta

**stinger608** · November 10th, 2006

If I am not mistaken that is called a redundancy system.

RevolutionaryRob · November 10th, 2006

Actually I just need to divide my power supplies. Honestly, I'd rather buy two decent 400w power supplies rather than spend more than twice the price on 1 1,000w power supply. But this information is all good and I have everything I need to move forward. Also, I have concerns that if I buy 1 power supply that the cords would reach all the way inside as necessary - I don't know if that's a given, but my current 600w power supply would not reach the full length of a full tower.

Thanks again guys the information was mucho helpful!

polobunny · November 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinger608

If I am not mistaken that is called a redundancy system.

You are not mistaken. No use in a home computer IMHO. Redundancy is used to reduce the chances of downtime, not to get more power.
If you need a second power supply because you miss power, than I suugest you buy a new power supply. Less heat, less points of failure, less trouble and a load less of problems. Most power supplies are not made to run without their main connector plugged in. By shorting only the power on pins you're tricking it in thinking he's properly connected while he's not. It might be ok if you're using an old power supply to power fans or parts for a short period of time, but I wouldn't run half my system on that.

**MantaBase** · November 10th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by stinger608

If I am not mistaken that is called a redundancy system.

Yes and no. During normal operation, both PSUs were in operation and needed. If one failed, the other filled in (as best it could). That might mean shutting down two of the 4 procs. Thats not really redundancy. Redundancy would be if either PSU could handle the whole thing. I never got to see it in action, because neither PSU ever failed - so I can't argue with you too much - except my understanding was that it was a bit more than redundancy.

Manta

Quakindude · November 10th, 2006

All you need is a 700W OCZ GameXStream for $115 at ZZF (after $25MIR) instead of 2 400W PSU's. Unless, of course, you know for sure you will need 800W.

What do yo plan on building that needs 800W?

November 10th, 2006	#1
RevolutionaryRob Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 33	How do you use 2 power supplies Hi there, I am going to be getting a CM Stacker and I want to put two power supplies in it. One would be on top, one would be on the bottom. (1) Do they make power supply that I connect the two together so that I can use the one power switch on the front of the case to turn the computer on and off? (2) My power supply has a switch on it that I can cut off power to the case - is this common, and is there a way that the top power supply switch can be used to turn off both power supplies? (3) Having never used 2 power supplies before, what might I not know that would make a difference in how I set this up? Thank you very much in advance. - Rob

November 10th, 2006	#2
drew and not u The Pizza Killer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: where do you friggin live?? Posts: 1,751	Psh, you don't need to do that. Using two PSUs is a relatively easy mod. A quick google search: a comprehensive guide more guides Good luck! =) P5K-E wifi/ E8400 @ 4.0 / Scythe Ninja Copper / 2GB Hyper-X DDR2-800 / 7800GT / Antec 1200 / Corsair HX-520 P5W DH Deluxe wifi/ E7200 @ 4.0 / 2GB Ballistix DDR2-800 / 7600GT (passive) / P180B / Seasonic SS-550HT / Zalman Reserator V2 Optiplex 755 / E2180 / 4GB DDR2 / 160GB HD / ATI HD 2400 Dual-ISP Network aim: drewandnotu \| Skype: drew-and-not-u

November 10th, 2006	#10
Quakindude I'm Diggin it! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Fort Rucker, AL. Posts: 2,737 Blog Entries: 7	All you need is a 700W OCZ GameXStream for $115 at ZZF (after $25MIR) instead of 2 400W PSU's. Unless, of course, you know for sure you will need 800W. What do yo plan on building that needs 800W? Q6600@ 3.2GHz w/ CNPS9700 \| EVGA 780i \| 2Gb Corsair DDR2-800 \| EVGA GTX 280 1Gb Video \| 1x WD 640Gb HDD, 2x Seagate 400Gb HDD, 1x250Gb WD \| 2x Samsung SH-203B Opticals \| Antec 900 \| ABS/Tagan BZ700 700W PSU

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Hitman Functional Alcoholic Join Date: May 2006 Location: 14S E:561116 N:3830189 Posts: 4,249 Blog Entries: 2	Here is a another guide

November 10th, 2006	#4
Zambini Lvl 1 College Student Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: St. Mere du SantaCruz Posts: 1,936 Blog Entries: 1	yea I was gonna suggest shorting the green (or sometimes yellow). Pretty much just have one of em normal and the other one a lab psu.

November 10th, 2006	#6
stinger608 The Real Final Word Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the Zone! Posts: 2,552 Blog Entries: 1	If I am not mistaken that is called a redundancy system.