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Ask HN: Can I use another PSU to power a HDD?
I have 2 PSUs, one is an IDE Molex, the other is SATA connectors. The SATA PSU is tempermental, so I use the molex one as I have all IDE devices.
I need attach a few hard drives from another machine which are SATA and my question is, while the computer is powered from molex, can I also plug my SATA PSU into the hard drive, with a SATA cable to my motherboard, and power it that way?
Sorry if it doesn't make much sense, I'm rushing and a bit stressed (kids)
- glimcat 15y agoYes, but you shouldn't. Also, adapters are a couple bucks on Monoprice. Also, a "tempermental" PSU may need to be replaced before it does destructive testing of the components connected to it.
- Spock 15y agoI'm in the UK, and it's something that needs to be done today, I don't have time to order adapters. Also, like I said, I use the molex PSU, which is fine. The SATA is tempermental, hence why I'm not using it.
- dirkdeman 15y agoI guess it could be done, but is our PSU beefy enough to power a couple of HDD's?
- Spock 15y ago800W PSUs. Would it actually power the drive without being directly into the mobo first?
- nik_0_0 15y agoYou wouldn't be able to plug in the 24pin ATX connector to the mobo, which is how the PSU gets the signal to turn on. It is a simple bridge of two ports (google for 24pin atx bridge on), which will leave your PSU on all the time, if it has a switch on the back that will make for easy on/off switching. However, as said above, adapters are much simpler :)
- brk 15y agoYes, you can. Ideally they'll share the same chassis ground (connect the metal cases together), but it's not strictly necessary (based on personal experience).