PSU Connectors
What are the essential PSU connectors for a modern PC?
What types of slots are available (PCIe, PCI, etc.)?
PCIe slots (x1, x4, x8, x16) or older PCI/AGP
What are the essential built-in protections (OVP, OCP, etc.) and how do they work?
What specific built-in protections (OVP, OPP, SCP, etc.) does a quality PSU offer, and how do these safeguard components during fault conditions like overvoltage or short circuits?
What is USB and why is it "Universal"?
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard interface for connecting devices (keyboards, phones, drives) to computers, replacing older, varied ports with one common way to transfer data and power, making it truly universal.
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How do I connect the CPU power cable if my motherboard needs 4-pin and 8-pin?
Most PSUs provide an 8-pin EPS cable that splits into two 4-pin connectors (4+4 pin), allowing you to combine them for an 8-pin port or use them separately for 4-pin ports, as needed by your motherboard.
How many PCIe lanes does a slot have, and does it matter?
More lanes (e.g., x16 vs. x1) mean more bandwidth for data, crucial for high-performance cards like GPUs, but some cards (like basic Wi-Fi) only need x1.
How do you diagnose common failures like shutdowns or noises (fans, coil whine)?
What are the diagnostic symptoms (e.g., random reboots, coil whine, failure to POST, fan issues) that indicate a PSU problem, and how do they relate to specific protection features failing?
What are the different USB connectors
Types refer to physical shapes: USB-A (rectangular, common on PCs), USB-B (square, for printers), Micro/Mini-USB (older phones), and USB-C (small, reversible, modern standard for fast data/power).
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What's the difference between 6-pin, 8-pin, and 12VHPWR PCIe connectors
These are for graphics cards: 6-pin and 8-pin (often 6+2 pin) are standard, while the newer, higher-power 12VHPWR (or 12V-2x6) is for high-end GPUs requiring significantly more wattage.
Which slot should I use for my graphics card/other cards?
Graphics cards usually need the longest PCIe x16 slot, while smaller cards like Wi-Fi or sound cards often fit into x1 slots; check your motherboard manual.
What are the signs of a failing PSU (random reboots, instability)?
How do you accurately test a PSU's output voltages (e.g., +12V, +5V, +3.3V) using a multimeter to verify they are within acceptable tolerances (±5%) for stability?
How do USB versions (like 3.0, 4) and Power Delivery (PD) work?
Versions dictate speed (e.g., USB 2.0=480Mbps, USB 3.2 Gen 1=5Gbps, USB4=up to 80Gbps). USB Power Delivery (PD) with USB-C allows devices to negotiate higher, variable power (up to 240W), enabling laptops to charge and power large devices, not just small ones
Calculate Power: A 12-volt car stereo amplifier draws 4 amps of current. How much power (in watts) is it consuming
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What are modular, semi-modular, and non-modular PSUs?
What PCIe generation (e.g., Gen 3, 4, 5) are the slots, and does it affect speed?
How to properly test voltages with a multimeter for accuracy (vs. spec)?
What are the signs of PSU degradation (e.g., bulging capacitors, fraying wires, burning smell) and what preventative maintenance (cleaning, airflow) or external devices (surge protectors, UPS) protect the unit?
What does a USB driver do?
A driver is software that tells the operating system (like Windows) how to talk to a specific USB device (like a mouse or flash drive). When you plug in a new device, the OS uses a generic driver to identify it and then loads the correct specific driver to enable full functionality
Combine Ohm's Law & Power: An LED lamp has a resistance of 200 ohms and operates on a 12-volt battery.
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Can I use a different connector if I'm missing one (e.g., Molex for SATA)?
Generally, no, you should use the specific connector type (SATA for drives, PCIe for GPUs) as they deliver different voltages/pin configurations; adapters exist but can be risky, so matching the PSU to your needs is best.
Does the card's physical size (length/key) match the slot?
Even if it's the right type (PCIe), ensure the physical connector on the card fits the length of the slot (e.g., x16, x8) and its keying matches.
How do external factors (dust, surges, UPS) impact PSU health and what protects it
When choosing a new PSU, how do essential features like efficiency ratings (80 PLUS), modularity, and compatibility (ATX 3.0/PCIe 5.0) impact long-term reliability and protection?
Are all USB-C cables/ports the same?
No. While the connector is the same shape, capabilities vary. A USB-C port might support basic USB 2.0 or advanced USB4/Thunderbolt, and cables must match the device's needs (e.g., a cheap cable won't deliver 100W PD or 40Gbps speed).
Practical Application: A hair dryer has a power rating of 1200 watts and runs on a 120-volt outlet.
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