Re: [SOLVED] Is my processor 32-bit or 64-bit?
On 8/24/2012 1:53 PM, Bob Proulx wrote:
> In actuality I have only used these adapters on low power Atom
> motherboards. I am down in the 20 watts of power envelope area. So
> for me the single rail is more than enough.
4 pin aux CPU power plug on at Atom board? That's just silly.
My now retired Barton system had a TDP of 76.8W and used a standard 20
pin ATX connector, drawing all power across board traces. Lasted 8
years. This Atom board you mention makes me think it's simply easier to
design mobos that use aux power instead of pulling from the main plug,
so they're doing it even when it's not "necessary".
> I just saw a rather expensive 700W
> supply in a friend's system burn up shooting sparks out the back fan
> and burning a large hole in the circuit board.
Back in '95 I had to steal the fan out of my bench supply to put in a
customer's machine. It was an old PSU so we didn't bother replacing the
fan, strictly using it for quick/dirty testing and what not from that
point, only running for short durations. You know where this is going...
I had a new build parts set on the bench and had fired it up for a quick
smoke test. I got called away "for just a sec" and left it running.
After the bosses wife had been chatting me up for about 5 minutes,
there's a loud pop accompanied by a simultaneous brilliant light
momentarily blinding everyone in the room. The PSU is showering my
bench with sparks much like a thermite reaction. The breaker didn't
trip for some reason. I dashed to the bench, and whilst avoiding the
shower of sparks, ripped the power cord from the wall socket. It
continued shooting sparks for another ~30 seconds, apparently due to the
intense heat buildup that led to the ignition. Everything was so badly
burned and welded together it was impossible to determine which
component overheated first and let go. I'd suppose it had to be one of
the MOSFETs in the switching circuit.
If anyone has an old PSU and wants some cheap kicks, invite some friends
over, remove the fan(s), take it outside and get 15 feet away. Plug it
into an extension cord, power it up, sit back in the lawn chairs with a
cold one and wait patiently for 5-20 minutes (some pop sooner others
later). If you want it to pop faster remove the heatsinks from the
MOSFETs. The spark shower won't be as intense in absence of chunks of
the aluminum heatsinks being liquified, but it'll ignite more quickly.
If you want maximum spark show, completely remove the board from the
chassis and sit it on plastic. You'll probably want to be more than 15
feet away if you go this route.
DISCLAIMER: I am not responsible nor liable for any personal injury or
property damage resulting from following these suggestions. The
individual engaging in such activity accepts full responsibility for
any/all consequences.
--
Stan
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