10-08-2018, 11:05 PM
Oh sorry, I didn't actually address your question regarding the power supply output. So you have a 1200W PSU and are concerned about it drawing 1200W from the wall. Ok, let's talk this through.
First, the power rating on a power supply is the output power, not the input power. If a power supply is rated at 1200W, then it can output at least 1200W reliably. In other words, you can safely push a quality power supply at 100% of its rated output. Problems generally occur when you demand more of the power supply than it is capable of. For example, your 1200W PSU may be able to push 1350W for a few hours before exploding.
Second, power supplies cannot transform and output 100% of their input power. This is why we have the "80plus" efficiency rating system - an 80plus certified PSU can convert a minimum of 80% of input power to output power. And of course some power supplies are more efficient than others; this is why there are different tiers of the 80plus certification. You can find more about that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus#Ef...ifications
You didn't specify which Thermaltake 1200W PSU you have, and Thermaltake of course has many different 1200W PSUs of various efficiency: https://www.plugloadsolutions.com/80Plus...=71&type=2
![[Image: ttake1200.png]](https://image.ibb.co/h3YDzU/ttake1200.png)
From this chart it should be immediately obvious that power supplies are most efficient at 50% load, and efficiency rolls off sharply at 100% load. So let's assume you have one of the 80Plus Gold units that are around 88% efficient at 100% load. And you stated that you measured 1200W on the input side, which means you're probably around 90% load so we can use the 100% load value of 88% efficient. If you're only able to transform 88% of your 1200W input power, then you're only pushing ~1056W on the output side - well below the PSU's 1200W rating.
Is it safe? Yes - but your electric bill will feel the pinch. You would certainly benefit from a larger, more efficient power supply.
First, the power rating on a power supply is the output power, not the input power. If a power supply is rated at 1200W, then it can output at least 1200W reliably. In other words, you can safely push a quality power supply at 100% of its rated output. Problems generally occur when you demand more of the power supply than it is capable of. For example, your 1200W PSU may be able to push 1350W for a few hours before exploding.
Second, power supplies cannot transform and output 100% of their input power. This is why we have the "80plus" efficiency rating system - an 80plus certified PSU can convert a minimum of 80% of input power to output power. And of course some power supplies are more efficient than others; this is why there are different tiers of the 80plus certification. You can find more about that here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus#Ef...ifications
You didn't specify which Thermaltake 1200W PSU you have, and Thermaltake of course has many different 1200W PSUs of various efficiency: https://www.plugloadsolutions.com/80Plus...=71&type=2
From this chart it should be immediately obvious that power supplies are most efficient at 50% load, and efficiency rolls off sharply at 100% load. So let's assume you have one of the 80Plus Gold units that are around 88% efficient at 100% load. And you stated that you measured 1200W on the input side, which means you're probably around 90% load so we can use the 100% load value of 88% efficient. If you're only able to transform 88% of your 1200W input power, then you're only pushing ~1056W on the output side - well below the PSU's 1200W rating.
Is it safe? Yes - but your electric bill will feel the pinch. You would certainly benefit from a larger, more efficient power supply.