If your business uses PCs in any way, you’ll need to know about power supplies or PSUs. Depending on how your business uses computers, your budget, and your industry, you’ll need to make specific considerations when purchasing a power supply.
The type and quality of power supply you choose will directly affect your business’s efficiency, operations, and growth.
With the right knowledge, you can make an informed decision about which power supply PC will best suit your circumstances. Luckily, you can purchase any of these from a reputable supplier e.g. RS Components.
What is a power supply?
A power supply is an electrical device which supplies electricity to an electric load. A power supply’s primary function is to convert current from a source to the appropriate voltage, frequency, and current to support the load.
You’ll find power supplies used for many applications, including in electronic labs, and industrial machinery. However, this article will discuss PC power supplies, also known as Power Supply Units or PSUs.
A PC power supply is a specialised hardware component within a computer. It supplies all other PC components with the power they need to run. Generally, a PC power supply converts 220-230 or 110-115 volt AC into steady, low-voltage DC power.
How PC power supplies affect performance
Every PC requires a power supply to run—but not all power supplies are created equal. For example, when building a computer for a digital design firm, you’ll probably choose a high-performance graphics card to boost the system’s graphics processing power. However, if your chosen power supply isn’t powerful enough to support such heavy use, the machine’s performance will suffer.
Low-end, cheap power supplies can also cause crashes and boot failures, causing your business to lose invaluable files or waste time repairing the system. Thankfully, high-end power supplies are now available at reasonable prices, allowing companies to achieve top performance for their PC systems.
Choose the right power supply for optimal productivity.
You’ll need to consider a few factors when choosing a power supply for your business:
- Overall wattage
- Form factor
- Power efficiency
Overall wattage describes how much power your system will need to operate correctly. Remember—technology is forever growing and adapting. Always choose a more powerful supply than you need right now. Your future self will thank you!
Form factor describes the shape and physical arrangement of the components within your PC case. Don’t make the easy mistake of choosing a PSU that doesn’t fit within your system!
Advanced Technology Extended, or ATX, is the most common specification suited to most power supplies. If your office or industrial space uses smaller PCs, you may need to invest in the micro-ATX specification.
Power efficiency describes the amount of power your power supply drains from the primary power source. Choose the highest possible efficiency to avoid overheating issues and maximise your system’s lifespan.
Conclusion
Power Supply Units are vital pieces of hardware for any business that uses computers. Choosing the correct PSU size, shape, wattage, and efficiency will determine your business’s success, productivity, and ability to adapt.
Technology is ever-changing. Make sure to choose a power supply that exceeds your business’s needs to ensure you are well-prepared for future technological advancements.