Re: Computer turns on and then just dies

On Thu, 11/28/2024 12:07 PM, VanguardLH wrote:
> s|b <[email protected]> wrote:
> 
>> And I'm saying /almost/, because the PSU only has one SATA cable and I
>> need at least 3 (SSD with W7, SATA hdd for data, SATA for
>> CD/DVD-(re)writer). So I'm looking to buy a (cheap) PSU that will
>> support at least 4 SATA (SATA6?) devices. I think non modular would be
>> the easiest?
> 
> After Paul responds, you might get away with just using a Y-adapter
> cable (aka power splitter): one sata power connector on one end, and
> multiple sata power connectors on the other end.  Typically it is a 1 to
> 2 arrangment, but you could use another Y-adapter to go 1 to 2, and then
> another 1 to 2, to give you 3 total.  Presumably the sata power and sata
> data pins are not all in 1 connector, but instead the sata power
> (between PSU and drive) is a separate connector from the sata data
> connector (between drive and mobo).
> 
> You might not get enough length to reach all drives with just a chained
> 1-to-2 splitter.  There are sata power splitters that have 4 and even 5
> connectors (not including the 1 that mates to the PSU sata power
> connector) that can reach 24" in length.  The placement of the
> in-between connectors may not be optimal for all drives, but 4 of them
> in a 5 connector cable should reach your drives.
> 
> https://www.newegg.com/p/pl?d=sata+power+splitter
> 
> You would have to check the power spec on the SATA output from the PSU
> to ensure it will handle the load for all 4 of your drives.  Not an
> issue with SSDs, but the spinners (HDD and optic) have a startup surge
> current.
> 

The SATA pins are rated for one ampere per contact, three contacts
in parallel, 3A max per rail. The SATA power design assumes power
is not being drawn from all three rails at the same time. Usually
only two of three rails have a power demand (not that it matters).

If used for splitting, you would check what kind of current the hard drive
draws. The max current is at spinup, and can be 1.5-2A or so. Spinning
up two drives on a SATA to SATA splitter would be the limit that way.
This is why I don't recommend 1-to-3 or long chains of these for fanout.

                            SATA-power
                             /
             SATA-power -----             1-to-2 is safe for this
                             \
                            SATA-power          This cabling has 3.3V, 5V, 12V on it

The power supply likely has Molex. Molex can take 6 to 10 amps,
depending on nearest-neighbors (a Molex 1x4 is a short connector
so not a thermal issue). The thicker the gauge of wire, the
closer to 10 amps you get. I generally assume 6 amps per wire in
conversations here (as the wire gauges used may not be the best).
This kind of thing would work. The 3.3V rail which is missing
this way, is not usually a problem. Only the microSATA drives
potentially used 3.3V (there are no longer microSATA at retail).

   ----+
       |               SATA-power
       |                /
       +--- Molex ------
       |                \
       |               SATA-power
       |
       |               SATA-power
       |                /
       +--- Molex ------
                        \
                       SATA-power          This cabling has 5V, 12V (suited to most regular SATA)

If you use too many adapters sequentially, eventually
the 12V supply falls to 11V at the end of the cabling.
If you hear "clicking sounds" from your hard drive, this
is a sign the 12V supply is approaching 11V and the drive
will not reliably stay rotating that way. Shorten the
chain of cables, rearrange the chain, and the clicking
will stop. This has happened to be *twice* :-)

*******

3 Molex, 3 SATA, 2 PCIe   $55   EVGA 600 BR 100-BR-0600-K1 600 W

https://www.newegg.com/evga-600-br-100-br-0600-k1-600-w-80-plus-bronze-certified/p/N82E16817438146

Similar  Thermaltake, power rating not as nice, vent design not so good, 600 W Gold, $59

https://www.newegg.com/thermaltake-toughpower-gx2-gold-ps-tpd-0600nnfagu-2-600-w-80-plus-gold-certified/p/N82E16817153415

You'll have to check the customer reviews, and see if anyone has figured out the real manufacturer.
The lower-price items can be contract manufactured by a competitor.

There are some Silverstone supplies, but the prices are likely to be too high.

*******

Summary:

See if there are enough Molex connectors, to use two of these, to power four drives.
Don't buy this particular one, wires might not be long enough.

   "Molex to two SATA, no metal clamp on these ones"

   https://c1.neweggimages.com/productimage/nb1280/A20PS2307010DGQDZC4.jpg

Check the wire length on the items, to make sure the wires will
reach all the drives.

If you look in the mouth of the SATA, some 15 pin SATA on extenders, are missing
3 of the contacts, and only 12 contacts are loaded in the connector. I like
to buy products that load *all* the contacts (15 of them), for equal insertion
force across the connector. The only way to look in the mouth of the connector,
is to shop retail and inspect the damn things :-)

The metal clamp is unnecessary, and there isn't always a place for the
clamp to clamp on to. The metal clamp is good on the seven pin data cable.

If it comes with a metal clamp, well OK, but the metal clamp is not
a necessity and none of my adapters have that clamp on them. The retention
force on the 15 pin ensures it is not going to fall off.

   Paul