

Here is a good read on the splitting of +12v rails. Most power supplies that have multiple +12v rails (I don't know of a PSU that has more than two +12v rails) are rated for over 1000W. This power is divided into different outputs. First of all, most power supplies have only one +12v rail (power source). The truth is, most of these people are confused and wrong. Many people debate about whether or not single +12v rails are better than multiple +12v rails.
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Good efficiency is highly preferred as well (at least 80 Plus certified). So you want a PSU that can provide ample +12v power with good line regulation and ripple voltage. The +12v rail powers modern motherboards, CPU cores, drives, fans, and video cards. You should invest in a power supply that has high end capacitors that are rated for 85 degrees Celsius or higher, an active PFC, good heat sinks/cooling, and other things that the PSU glossary above mentions. Look at the brand name, total power, +12v power, +12v distribution, and reviews for a PSU before purchasing one. What Should I Look for When Buying a PSU? You can also look up the max power consumption of your components, but to give you a basic idea, use a PSU calculator such as this one. The best thing to do is to use a kill-a-watt and measure the amount of power being used.
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How Can I Find Out How Much Power My PC Uses?

What are the Requirements for ATX Specification? I recommend reading a PSU glossary to understand the basic terms of power supplies. Buying a low end PSU can easily cause many issues in your PC, so the smart thing to do is to make sure you get a quality unit. Even though most of you know that it supplies power to the rest of your PC (whether it is directly or indirectly), people go cheap on the PSU. The power supply unit (PSU) is a critical part of the PC that is commonly overlooked.
