Generic 300W PSU Vs Akasa 460W PSU ??

[ShiWarrior]

I am very confused here.

I have one of those multi-plug fly leads with Over-load indicator on it, and I am confused why the Generic 300W PSU is Drawing MORE watts then the branded 460W Akasa

The Genric case has bare minimum stuff on it.

Basically :

motherboard + SKT A Mobile 1700+
512Mb RAM
Asus Radeon 9200
100 gb IDE drive
DVD-RW


The other machine :

GlobaWin 802 case with an Akasa 460W PSU
AMD 64 3000+ SKT 939
2Gb RAM
Radeon X800 XTPE AGP card
SATA-II 250Gb
DVD-RW


I am using the same monitor for both machines

on the indicator, the Akasa is not drawing any really the indicator is still on the lowest one

soon as i turn that off and switch the other machine on, it will go up TWO bars!

Why whould it be using MORE power than the 460?

 

[Raikiri]

Because it is hugely less efficient?

It might be drawing 400w just to supply 200, whereas the the Akasa would only need 240ish to supply 200.

 

[Mole]

Yes, efficiency is probably the reason.

Also, the overload monitor might be measuring VA (Volt-Amps) which is not the same as power (Watts). Cheaper power supplies generally have a lower power factor which means they use more VA to provide the same Watts. My cheap 300W PSU uses at least 225VA to provide 150W to our family PC. My Tagan 580W PSU uses no more than 210VA to provide 200W of power to my PC. The electricity is charged per kWh (not related to VA), so my machine costs more to run, but it is better for the electricity companies if components have a higher power factor and therefore draw less VA.

Martin