Topic: Switchable PSU ?

[DJ]

Recently my computer went out with a BANG! T and started coughing up smoke.

Anyhow I have replaced the PSU, but was only able to get a switchable PSU in such short notice (the PC needed to be up and running that night).  

So I now have a PSU with a flicker switch on the back, which can be turned on or off and also a power button on the front of the case.  Previously I only had the button on the front of the case.

My question is this....  Do i need to switch off the PSU everytime I switch off the PC? or can i leave this switch ON and just use the front power button?

Cheers

DJ1UK

[bat69]

Hi DJ

Yes turn off the PSU at the back ... the PSU will probably be supplying some power to your mobo and other things in a standby type mode, so it is always better to switch off at the back before unplugging the PC

PSUs have built in smoothing circuitry to eliminate the spikes in the voltage/current caused by switching on/off and this protects your PC from damage

[Adept]

Personally I only use the rocker switch if I'm replacing components inside my PC.

I certainly wouldn't bother switching off at the rocker switch every night.

[DJ]

Hi Bat.

Cheers for the quick response.  I'll start flicking that switch everytime i shut down then!

I'll soon have a new PC and wireless network to play with anyway  

DJ1UK

[DJ]

I certainly wouldn't bother switching off at the rocker switch every night.

Ok then, I might not start "flicking that switch".  I'll give it a go without switching it (as its a bit of a pain as my PC is on the floor!).  

If things start playing up - I'll flick it!

Cheers

DJ1UK

[bat69]

I suppose, as demonstrated, there are two schools of thought here. I know that on Asus boards, they take power from the PSU, even when it is switched off at the switch on the front of the PC .. ie it is powered down.

This feature, which is common on a lot of motherboards that incorporate "wake on ..." functions, which would power up the PC, means that the mobo is still live and the PSU is still supplying power.

This is the reason I prefer to switch off at the back. And as I said, it allows the circuitry within the PSU to smooth out the power spikes when the mains is switched off.