One PC, 2 PSUs

[Harry9001]

Hi guys,
I was wonder if the above is possible.
I have a 450W psu powering my PC, i want to use a 250W one to power my HDD,
Can i do this without shorting anything ?

The reason why I'm doing this is because i think my 450W PSU is not giving enough power, you see my HDD had started to make sounds(squeaks), I thought this is the end as its about to die.

I used the 250W PSU lying around to boot it up with a IDE/Sata to usb converter, it didn't work as my HDD was not supported(it wasn't getting detected)
BUT surprisingly my HDD was no longer making sounds!!, it was running smoothly.

I want to boot it up and run a diagnostics to check if its healthy or not and to do this i need to connect it to my mobo(gigabyte) but not with that possibly faulty PSU.

Thanks

 

[Toothless]

Just get a new PSU.

 

[Harry9001]

Just get a new PSU.

What if my current PSU is ok and the HDD is faulty ? i just want to test/run the diagnostics once on the HDD, if its ok then I'll obviously get a new PSU

 

[Agility]

I would recommend getting a new PSU as a HDD failure will result in a massive headache (Loss of data). It depends on the importance you're weighing your wallet against data accumulated within the HDD. A solid PSU can last very long (Mine is lasting 5years and on going still) and might also be able to migrate to your new rig if you're planning one in the future.

Would also help if you could fill up your system specifications.

 

[Harry9001]

I would recommend getting a new PSU as a HDD failure will result in a massive headache (Loss of data). It depends on the importance you're weighing your wallet against data accumulated within the HDD. A solid PSU can last very long (Mine is lasting 5years and on going still) and might also be able to migrate to your new rig if you're planning one in the future.

Would also help if you could fill up your system specifications.

My system needs around 350W(I used the link in the sticky post)and my current is 450W but its not from a really 'good' company, i currently have my eye on "Corsair VS Series VS450 - 450 Watt SMPS"
I just wanted to be sure once, but ok i guess I'll order it but what if the HDD fails then :/

 

[Toothless]

What if my current PSU is ok and the HDD is faulty ? i just want to test/run the diagnostics once on the HDD, if its ok then I'll obviously get a new PSU

Then check the S.M.A.R.T info.

 

[Harry9001]

Then check the S.M.A.R.T info.

For that too, i need to connect my HDD to a computer right ? That's why i want to know if i can connect my 500GB HDD with a 250W PSU to my motherboard(GA-H61M-S) which is powered by a 450W PSU.

Thanks

 

[CAPSLOCKSTUCK]

Yes you can do it but ideally you should buy a better one.

you need a short piece of wire to turn on the 2nd PSU.

 

[Shou Miko]

Phanteks made this: Phanteks Power Combo Device - 2 PSU to 1 Motherboard PH-PWCOB_2P1M

It let u use 2 psu's to power 1 motherboard.

The idea I like u can connect 2 psu's and u can turn on ur system like normally no need to turn on one psu at the time or anything.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

Just so you know. Even though the VS line of psus are made by corsair. They aint really that great. Corsairs RM series is where i would start at a minimum

 

[little cat]

a hdd needs not more than 10W ! Downclock something and it would be fine with a single PSU

 

[Melvis]

Give us your system specs to start off with would help, if your Computer hasnt got and Graphics card and just uses onboard then even the 250W PSU will run your system id say.

 

[Frick]

Just so you know. Even though the VS line of psus are made by corsair. They aint really that great. Corsairs RM series is where i would start at a minimum

That's.... That's just silly, IMO. There are gazillions of good units for less money than that.

 

[silentbogo]

Just spend $5 on a cheap chinese 3.5" enclosure. It is a relatively small investment comparing on the amount of time and labor you have to spend on hooking up 2 PSUs, and the potential risk of burning everything to shit with such procedure.

 

[95Viper]

First try to retrieve that data you said you need, that you referenced to in the other thread.
If your HDD is making noises... It probably is not healthy. Run a good extended diagnostics on it.

If you are wanting to get your data off the drive... then you can use something along the lines of one of the various powered docking station or powered enclosure.

Here are example at Amazon:
Kingwin Power Dock

Inateck USB 3.0 to SATA Dual-Bay USB 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station with Offline Clone Function for 2.5 Inch & 3.5 Inch HDD SSD SATA (SATA I/ II/ III) Support 2x 8TB & UASP, Tool-free

 

[Peter1986C]

Indeed, just get a docking station or something for that HDD.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

That's.... That's just silly, IMO. There are gazillions of good units for less money than that.

I dont see you making any suggestions. He was going to get a corsair so i recommended something from a more mid range series.

Criticise me all you want but i dont see you doing any better

 

[Harry9001]

Wow(surprised at the no. of replies),
Well i decided to wait until i get my new PSU(i know its a cheap one, but thats the best one i can afford till now).

The PSU will arrive in around 10-12hrs and then ill come to know if my zebronics PSU was causing trouble or not.

Thanks guys
Will report after I try!

 

[R-T-B]

Wow(surprised at the no. of replies),
Well i decided to wait until i get my new PSU(i know its a cheap one, but thats the best one i can afford till now).

The PSU will arrive in around 10-12hrs and then ill come to know if my zebronics PSU was causing trouble or not.

Thanks guys
Will report after I try!

Zebronics is down there with the likes of Deer PSU and Co. It's made only in India if I recall and is terrible even by their standards.

Good call replacing it.

 

[Harry9001]

Zebronics is down there with the likes of Deer PSU and Co. It's made only in India if I recall and is terrible even by their standards.

Good call replacing it.

Yeah i know, thats why i'm replacing it. Even though the replacement will be a Corsair VS450(considered cheap by some, not by me though ) but still its better than zebronics.

 

[R-T-B]

Yeah i know, thats why i'm replacing it. Even though the replacement will be a Corsair VS450(considered cheap by some, not by me though ) but still its better than zebronics.

Like 10x better. You did fine, it's cheap in the minds of snooty people and hardcore OC'ers, not actually that bad in reliability (well, certainly not compared to what you are coming from!)

 

[Recon-UK]

Honestly it's not worth it.

XFX PSU's are 150% awesome, and don't cost a lot.

 

[hat]

I know you've already ordered one, but I thought I'd weigh in anyway and say good call replacing the PSU. I can't imagine any system that would actually require some frankenstein combobulation of power supplies, save systems back from the peltier era, where the cooling system alone was generally run on a separate unit (whatever happened to those cooling systems anyway?).

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

XFX PSU's are 150% awesome, and don't cost a lot.

Fanboi-ism at it finest!


I have a old (20 years old!) modular Maddog brand 450w that still works as intended. You can get lucky with off brands, sometimes.

 

[hat]

I had a Maddog power supply before. I don't remember exactly what led up to it, but a close friend gave it to me. The fan was going bad but the unit itself seemed okay. I don't recall whatever happened to it eventually or why I needed it though...