Combining Power Supplys?

**majasticmoose** · 01-03-2010, 12:49 PM

My computer currently uses a standard 250 watt power supply (its not a carpc, yet). And when I install my pc into my car, I will need a DC to DC Power supply.
I was thinking the M4-ATX since its rated at 250 watts and its $89.99

But then I found 3 Opus 180 watt power supplies for $50 each including shipping. Which I heard were better then the M4. I think I might buy one. If it can't power my setup, then can I buy a second and rewire it to power the molex plugs and usb stuff? Or will this mess it up? Will the auto shutdown features still work?

Thanks,
Andrew

**bratnetwork** · 01-03-2010, 12:53 PM

I would just calculate the actual power consumption of your system and see how much it is drawing. You may be able to just run 1 PSU.

**majasticmoose** · 01-03-2010, 12:58 PM

I tried using the online stuff, but some didn't have my processor and the ones that did, said my system takes ~350 watts. Which is impossible because I have never had a problem with my cheap 250 watts power supply. I am guess they are just off.
Andrew

**PaulF** · 01-03-2010, 01:48 PM

Is this a retail computer?
If so, what model?
If not, what are the specs? (HDD, optical drives, cpu, motherboard, graphics)

**majasticmoose** · 01-03-2010, 02:01 PM

Compaq Presario 5400US

Processor Intel® Celeron™ Processor - 1200 MHz (1.2 GHz)
System Bus 100 MHz System Bus
Cache • 32KB L1 Pipeline Burst Cache

• 128KB L2 Pipeline Burst Cache
System Memory 128MB 133 MHz SyncDRAM, 2 Total DIMM Slots Upgradeable to 512MB (SyncDRAM DIMM required)
Hard Drive 20.0 GB UltraDMA Hard Drive
Optical Drive(s) 8X CD-RW Drive
Communications 56K ITU V.90 Modem
Diskette Drive 3.5" 1.44 MB Diskette drive
Graphics Integrated Direct AGP 3D Graphics with 8 MB Dynamically allocated as video memory

I added 256 MB of RAM, so total RAM is 384 MB. I install a 8MB ATi Graphics card which can be removed. A cheap sound card, which I would like to keep. Two hard drives a 20GB and a 8GB (the 8GB can be removed). A CD Drive and a DVD drive which I will probably replace with a slimline dvd drive I pulled from a dead laptop. Plus all the standard USB prehepials.

I will keep the floppy drive so I can mount it in my dashboard, just for fun.

**DarquePervert** · 01-04-2010, 06:32 AM

Look your CPU's electrical specs (including max power draw) here: http://mysite.verizon.net/pchardware...ec_pentium.htm

**HiJackZX1** · 01-06-2010, 03:01 PM

It will be so hard to combine the PSU to create one. I would go with the M4-ATX, u'll be spending more money on trying to get the 3 to work together then its really worth. My setup will use three M4-ATX units to power 6 computers, but thats only because the MoBos each have their own PSU built into them, they simply need regulated 12V power, which the M4's will provide. Even with that, the setup is complicated and a big headache. All of them are controlled by my OPUS 320, but because they have to be used in dumby mode, I cant use ignition. That means I have to use relay on each PSU to switch it on. I then have to rewire each PSU to think that a MoBo is actually connected to it, but there really isnt. Its just one big headache. i would have given up on this, but I have invested so much money and ripped apart so much of my car to do it. If there was another way to do it, I would. You though have another way, just simply buy a M4-ATX and be done with it.