Second PSU The CORRECT answer

[NickN]

Hey all, i have a few weaker PSU's lying around. If i were to get a new video car, would it be possible to hook up a second PSU directly to that videocard (8800GT for example), instead of buying a new, more powerful PSU?

Thanks

edit: if i were using another psu solely for the video card, how much wattage would i need?

You were given several answers in another thread which unfortunately went sour. The more correct answer was given by jimcooper1 however he did not elaborate technically which I am sure was because he understood what you had to use in dissimilar output supplies would not be wise to work with even if you had the right cable and knew how to use 2 units correctly. His advice was to not do it and he was very correct in his warnings about hooking up 2 PSUs to a motherboard or split for a video card. He understood what you were asking and suggesting was very dangerous and as such his advice to not do it, was correct.

The 2nd answer supplied was correct that it can be done, but thats as far as it went for being correct. His advice was very dangerous in so much as he was wrong about "full dual" 24pin connectors and that what he posted/suggested was safe to do. It is not, even with the correct cable between the power supplies unless you know which devices each PSU are safe to run. It lacked explanation and specifics about how it is accomplished safely.



Using 2 PSU is possible and you do need a special power adapter that allows the 2 units to have a common ground and power 'on' support.

[Fly2e]

[quote]EDIT: I was not going to go into this part however I do have a message for everyone when it comes to technical... if you do not know 100% that what you are suggesting is safe, or, if you know something can be done but do not really know how to do it yourself, you best keep your trap shut or at the very least have the courtesy to say "I think it can be done but I am not sure if what I suggest is right or safe"

[NickN]

I am going to say something else too...

[richardd43]

When I bought my Silverstone 07 case it was equipped to hold 2 PSUs, complete with the correct connector cable.

I used my Silverstone 600w PSU to power the main board and associated goodies. The second PSU (420w) was hooked to my 2 7950 GX2s.

At the time it was harder to find a single PSU with the specs I wanted. That is a thing of the past and there are some great power supplies and at reasonable prices.

A second PSU adds a couple of pounds to the case and is another fan running.

As a retired engineer I was comfortable with what I did but I agree with Nick: If you are not absolutely positive you know what you are doing, don't.

The price of a replacement motherboard and processor is a lot more than a good PSU.

[NickN]

It can be done, but is not recommended that 2nd PSU power anything plugged into the motherboard. I have read about people who have done it, say it works and accept the consequences (who knows what may have happened over time) but I have read more reports which fall in line with the theory and rules

[legoalex2000]

agreed. i do a lot of tweaking and experimenting, but i always look to trusted professionals before i even attempt to "experiment"

Curiosity killed the cat...

Ramos