4 ms·

The problem is not external, 500 or 1000 W is not that much in the grand scheme of things (a euro plug allows up to 625W, unearthed). The issue is internal: be

The problem is not external, 500 or 1000 W is not that much in the grand scheme of things (a euro plug allows up to 625W, unearthed). The issue is internal: because the top PSU rail is only 12V, high-power devices (mostly GPU) need to push very high amperage totals. And because PC internal layouts, they can’t do that through large wires with huge connectors. Also a legacy of cheap friction fit.

Eisenstein 4y ago
Exactly. This is why high wattage USB-C cables rely on the power supply negotiating a higher voltage in order to work. Sending 100W over 5V would be ridiculous (20A). Instead the device tells the power supply to switch to 20V and then the cable only needs to be rated for 5A. Something like that for GPUs would make sense.
TylerE 4y ago
It is KINDA external. 1000+w is starting to get into “trip the breaker” pretty easily if you have anything else on that circuit with any kind of transient load - like say a minifridge.
- lmm 4y ago
  I mean that's half the power of a decent kettle...
- masklinn 4y ago
  > 1000+w is starting to get into “trip the breaker” pretty easily I was wondering where you'd get that from, and then I remembered that you're probably american so your baseline is only 1800W, in which case... yeah that's true. If you're installing a really powerful PC in the US you probably want either a dedicated circuit or a 20A circuit (or both).
  - kennend3 4y ago
    > I was wondering where you'd get that from, and then I remembered that you're probably american so your baseline is only 1800W, in which case.. In North America, you cant pull 1800W continuous either, it is limited to 1440 by regulation. "This regulation is called the maximum continuous load, which is 80% of the total wattage computed. " This is why space heaters and such are 1200 watt. So while 120v * 15A is 1,800W no electrician would wire a setup like this. if you need 1800W they would use probably use a 20A circuit and wiring rated for 20A. 80% load of this would be 1920W. NOTE: Not an electrician.. if i am mistaken please let me know.

Eisenstein 4y ago

Exactly. This is why high wattage USB-C cables rely on the power supply negotiating a higher voltage in order to work. Sending 100W over 5V would be ridiculous (20A). Instead the device tells the power supply to switch to 20V and then the cable only needs to be rated for 5A. Something like that for GPUs would make sense.

TylerE 4y ago

It is KINDA external. 1000+w is starting to get into “trip the breaker” pretty easily if you have anything else on that circuit with any kind of transient load - like say a minifridge.

lmm 4y ago
I mean that's half the power of a decent kettle...
masklinn 4y ago
> 1000+w is starting to get into “trip the breaker” pretty easily I was wondering where you'd get that from, and then I remembered that you're probably american so your baseline is only 1800W, in which case... yeah that's true. If you're installing a really powerful PC in the US you probably want either a dedicated circuit or a 20A circuit (or both).
- kennend3 4y ago
  > I was wondering where you'd get that from, and then I remembered that you're probably american so your baseline is only 1800W, in which case.. In North America, you cant pull 1800W continuous either, it is limited to 1440 by regulation. "This regulation is called the maximum continuous load, which is 80% of the total wattage computed. " This is why space heaters and such are 1200 watt. So while 120v * 15A is 1,800W no electrician would wire a setup like this. if you need 1800W they would use probably use a 20A circuit and wiring rated for 20A. 80% load of this would be 1920W. NOTE: Not an electrician.. if i am mistaken please let me know.