I've Shorted Out My Second PSU

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 13:57

Hi All,

I have shorted out my second PSU so that I can run my second graphics card. My first PSU is 600w and the new one is 600w (I will invest in 1200w on 23rd of this month (payday).

Ive plugged it into the GFX Card and the CD-ROM (It wouldn't spin up otherwise)

I am wondering how safe this is though, is there a fire hazard here? Its been running 15 hours now without any problems but I'm scared to leave the house

Please check the image below and tell me what you think

http://i.imgur.com/bCXQbrn.jpg

Thanks for any help

Beerbaron · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:02

What is the PC spec?

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:06

Beerbaron said:
What is the PC spec?

2 x 600w PSU (now)
AMD FX-8120 @ 4100
M5A99X EVO
16gb GSKILL RipJawZ 1600mhz
2 x Sapphire Radeon 6950
120gb SSD
2 x 1TB Seagate 7200
1 x CD ROM Drive

I know the PSU is far under-powered, Its all I had at the time, But I'm doing the best I can make do with at the moment

SeraphX · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:07

xmrdx34 said:
2 x 600w PSU (now)
AMD FX-8120 @ 4100
M5A99X EVO
16gb GSKILL RipJawZ 1600mhz
2 x Sapphire Radeon 6950
120gb SSD
2 x 1TB Seagate 7200
1 x CD ROM Drive

HA!

Buy a quality 750W, problem sorted, You won't need a 1200W.

Sliver · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:08

If it won't power up normally then the wattage draw is too high, forcing it to power up is not a good idea. Your PSU will be running hotter than manufacturers recommendations. You're pushing it beyond it's capabilities.

*Edit* Ok so you have 2 PSU's operating now. Not ideal, but I see no danger there as long as none of them are overloaded. Still, the sooner you buy your new PSU the better.

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:10

Sliver said:
If it won't power up normally then the wattage draw is too high, forcing it to power up is not a good idea. Your PSU will be running hotter than manufacturers recommendations. You're pushing it beyond it's capabilities.

Yeah I understand that, I was just wondering if shorting out a psu to run without a motherboard would be a fire hazard

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:11

SeraphX said:
HA!

Buy a quality 750W, problem sorted, You won't need a 1200W.

Eventually buying another graphics card, well 3 all new ones (3 x AMD R9 290X) So 750 wont cut it, Would a 950 do it?

(GFX Cards are for OpenCL mining)

Sliver · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:12

xmrdx34 said:
Yeah I understand that, I was just wondering if shorting out a psu to run without a motherboard would be a fire hazard

I edited my post. People posting too quickly ! lol

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:15

Sliver said:
I edited my post. People posting too quickly ! lol

Yep, Post Frenzy, Thanks for the help

BattFink · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:46

xmrdx34 said:
Yeah I understand that, I was just wondering if shorting out a psu to run without a motherboard would be a fire hazard

Personally, I can't see a problem (aesthetics aside) running your PSU like that

I've run a dual PSU setup like yours before, I see Lian-Li sell a dual power supply adapter that pretty much does the same thing as you've done.

setter · 18 Dec 2013 at 14:50

Seen a few connectors like that Lian Li one, also have an A70F full tower case from them that supports dual psu's.

Hagar · 18 Dec 2013 at 15:17

xmrdx34 said:
2 x 600w PSU (now)
AMD FX-8120 @ 4100
M5A99X EVO
16gb GSKILL RipJawZ 1600mhz
2 x Sapphire Radeon 6950
120gb SSD
2 x 1TB Seagate 7200
1 x CD ROM Drive

I know the PSU is far under-powered, Its all I had at the time, But I'm doing the best I can make do with at the moment

I have an FX8350 and one 6950 and had the same motherboard, 240GB SSD and two HDD. Running prime on eight threads at 4.6GHz and heaven 2.5 bench at the same time, I never could exceed 370W at the wall for the whole system.

Based on the fact that the system without heaven was requiring 260W. I would say that the extra 3D requirement for one more 6950 would be 110W.

So no, I do not think that this is unsafe. In fact running on one PSU would be feasible if it was a good branded one.

EDIT In the watercool section, you can buy the plug for £1.30 or so which makes a neater job of shorting

murah · 18 Dec 2013 at 15:36

OK what you are doing "IS" fine in most senses, splitting the load between the 2 psu's is actually a clever idea and wont make your first one go bang. The only issue I can see is A. the extra power draw costing more to run and B. Not sure what make the 2nd psu is? but I hope it has some auto cut-off features (Detects a voltage problem, shuts PSU down) because AFAIK the mobo normally controls that unless there is a power surge.

a decent 750w would suit you fine.

Tealc · 18 Dec 2013 at 15:59

It'll be fine for a few days. Decent PSUs tend to have all manner of safety features that'll shut it down if something nasty happens. It is a decent one, right?

pastymuncher · 18 Dec 2013 at 19:38

From the look of the cables (no braiding) it looks like a old one or a chepo one.

xmrdx34 · 18 Dec 2013 at 22:04

Tealc said:
It'll be fine for a few days. Decent PSUs tend to have all manner of safety features that'll shut it down if something nasty happens. It is a decent one, right?

Yep its a very cheap one,Getting a new PSU on 20th now anyway