PC Power & Cooling CTO talks shop - bit-tech.net Forums

Tim S · 3rd May 2008, 08:20

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...-doug-dodson/1

We recently interviewed Doug Dodson, the CTO of premier PSU maker PC Power & Cooling, about his thoughts on the industry, enthusiasts, where the humble power supply is heading, his own designs for modular units and his quips on Ultra's modular patent!

Mankz · 3rd May 2008, 08:32

Very interesting. I never thought about the dissapearance of the 5v and the like before...

Jipa · 3rd May 2008, 10:55

I can not help but wonder how much the modularity REALLY hurts the performance... It's easy to say how it in theory adds resistance and bla bla bla, but can it be measured, let alone noticed in real life?

pistol_pete · 3rd May 2008, 11:11

Looking at my Antec TP Quatro 850, the connectors for the modularity are the same as the connector design for the graphics card PCI-E, and the 4/8pin 12V input for the motherboard. So is there a point in using better (higher contact area) connectors at the PSU end of the cable if at the motherboard/PCI-E they have the old, pressumably higher resistance, design?

Well probably, as the resistance adds up in series cutting it at any point in the 'loop' helps. Kinda answered my own question.

Cupboard · 3rd May 2008, 11:51

Changing to 12v is an interesting idea, though I fail to see why it would be such a huge leap. There can be a time where motherboards you buy don't need the extra voltages, and where both types of PSU are sold; then there will be a gradual shift to just 12v motherboards. Rather like the change to DDR3 really.

With the problems of modularisation, I should think that Apple had a few problems with that and the power connectors on the MB/MBP. Its not like they have much surface area!

Anyway, I enjoyed that, it was a good read, thanks

Krikkit · 3rd May 2008, 14:11

"never even heard of Ultra" - My ass.

Interesting interview - nice to hear from a more "obscure" HW manufacturer about their thoughts on their own sector and its current directions.

sheninat0r · 3rd May 2008, 16:33

Hm.. I'm quite interested in their modular power supply, to see if it really makes a difference in real-world performance.

Cthippo · 3rd May 2008, 17:38

100A @ 12VDC? You could weld with that thing!

Does he come off as a twit IRL?

OtakuHawk · 3rd May 2008, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cthippo

100A @ 12VDC? You could weld with that thing!

yeah, if you wanted to toast the PSU. switching PSUs are not designed to take heavy load spikes like that.

Kipman725 · 3rd May 2008, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jipa

I can not help but wonder how much the modularity REALLY hurts the performance... It's easy to say how it in theory adds resistance and bla bla bla, but can it be measured, let alone noticed in real life?

easy to show using ohms law, even a few fractions of an ohmn is enough to cause major voltage drop at high currents like 100A!
as for ultra I think he was saying that back when they rejected modular psu's they had not heard of ultra, anyway I rember modular psus for computers before ultra and modular psu's for non computers have been around for a long long time.

zr_ox · 3rd May 2008, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kipman725

easy to show using ohms law, even a few fractions of an ohmn is enough to cause major voltage drop at high currents like 100A!
as for ultra I think he was saying that back when they rejected modular psu's they had not heard of ultra, anyway I rember modular psus for computers before ultra and modular psu's for non computers have been around for a long long time.

I'm pretty sure a pretty one of the large review sites tested this 2-3 years ago, showed no difference as far as I remember....sorry I mean the difference between modular and non.

One thing I dont understand though is that everyone is going modular, and for good reason so why the hell dont they do it. We all know how rock solid PCP&C are, so a modular unit would re-establish their position in the market. With so many competitors now producing better quality unit's they are reducing their chances of success. They are no longer in the position they were 3-4 years ago and need to get back in the game.

Can remember the last time I saw a rig using a PCP&C PSU...Last I heard...literally was that they made a little too much noise.

Zyphron · 4th May 2008, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by zr_ox

One thing I dont understand though is that everyone is going modular, and for good reason so why the hell dont they do it. We all know how rock solid PCP&C are, so a modular unit would re-establish their position in the market. With so many competitors now producing better quality unit's they are reducing their chances of success. They are no longer in the position they were 3-4 years ago and need to get back in the game.

Can remember the last time I saw a rig using a PCP&C PSU...Last I heard...literally was that they made a little too much noise.

first off they are still the best. its been proven time and time again.

Can remember the last time I saw a rig using a PCP&C PSU...Last I heard...literally was that they made a little too much noise
is this in reference to all PCP&C PSU's?
you might want to go find yourself a Silencer 750 im pretty sure it runs quiet if not "silent"

they have very valid Justifaction to not go modular, and as much as id love for them to move to modular I can deal with cable managment.

pizan · 5th May 2008, 00:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by zr_ox

Can remember the last time I saw a rig using a PCP&C PSU...Last I heard...literally was that they made a little too much noise.

im using one now

unclebulgaria · 8th May 2008, 00:50

Single line answers? Could the man have cared less?

tonschk · 17th Oct 2008, 02:49

Professionals dont use modular PSU , I avoid as much as I can modular PSU and I will never buy a modular PSU

tonschk · 19th Jul 2009, 06:33

I HATE Modular PSU and I will never ever buy a modular PSU , on the other side I LOVE PC Power and Cooling

3rd May 2008, 08:20	#1
Tim S Pewlius Caesar bit-tech Staff Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ascot, Berks Posts: 18,021	PC Power & Cooling CTO talks shop http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/200...-doug-dodson/1 We recently interviewed Doug Dodson, the CTO of premier PSU maker PC Power & Cooling, about his thoughts on the industry, enthusiasts, where the humble power supply is heading, his own designs for modular units and his quips on Ultra's modular patent! __________________ Tim on Twitter \| Tim's Blog \| Tim's Flickr The bit-tech Blog \| bit-tech on Twitter \| Join the bit-tech & Custom PC folding team (#35947)

3rd May 2008, 10:55	#3
Jipa Licenced idiot. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 3,066	I can not help but wonder how much the modularity REALLY hurts the performance... It's easy to say how it in theory adds resistance and bla bla bla, but can it be measured, let alone noticed in real life? __________________ Abit IP35 - E6750 - 8800GT 1024 MB - 2 GB 800 MHz - enough HDDs - 750 W Silverstone - CM Storm Sniper Asus P5Q-VM - Q9450 - 4 GB - 400 W Silverstone - Fortress FT01 AllTheMods - MetkuMods - LedCalc

3rd May 2008, 11:11	#4
pistol_pete Air Cooled Fool Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Derby, via Scotland Posts: 709	Looking at my Antec TP Quatro 850, the connectors for the modularity are the same as the connector design for the graphics card PCI-E, and the 4/8pin 12V input for the motherboard. So is there a point in using better (higher contact area) connectors at the PSU end of the cable if at the motherboard/PCI-E they have the old, pressumably higher resistance, design? Well probably, as the resistance adds up in series cutting it at any point in the 'loop' helps. Kinda answered my own question. __________________ - Q6600 G0(9x333) -- Asus P5k Premium -- 2GB Ballistix DDR2-800 -- BFG 8800GT 512MB -- TRUE120 -- 500GB Samsung Spinpoint -- Antec Quattro 850W -- Samsung Syncmaster 206BW -- Razer Lycosa, DeathAdder, and Destructor -- Antec Nine Hundred -- Pistol Pete's Project Perspiration Project Log

3rd May 2008, 11:51	#5
Cupboard I'm not a modder. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bury St Edmunds/Durham Uni Posts: 1,848	Changing to 12v is an interesting idea, though I fail to see why it would be such a huge leap. There can be a time where motherboards you buy don't need the extra voltages, and where both types of PSU are sold; then there will be a gradual shift to just 12v motherboards. Rather like the change to DDR3 really. With the problems of modularisation, I should think that Apple had a few problems with that and the power connectors on the MB/MBP. Its not like they have much surface area! Anyway, I enjoyed that, it was a good read, thanks __________________ i7 920, 8800GTS 512, 6GB Corsair all in an Intel DX58SO; 3*320GB RAID5; CM Stacker Samsung Q45.

3rd May 2008, 14:11	#6
Krikkit Don't panic! Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lancs, UK Posts: 15,205	"never even heard of Ultra" - My ass. Interesting interview - nice to hear from a more "obscure" HW manufacturer about their thoughts on their own sector and its current directions. __________________ \|E8400 @ 4.4GHz\|WC: 2*120.1 GT's, MCP350, Storm G5\|4GB Dominators\|DFI LT X48-T2R\|8800GT\|74GB Raptor\|Chieftec BA01\|OCZ ModXStream 600W\|Dell 2208WFP\| The Good, The Bad, The Ugly, The LOL!!1!!1!, The Zlad!, The Kempness, The Braaaaaains...

3rd May 2008, 16:33	#7
sheninat0r What's a Dremel? Join Date: May 2007 Location: U.S. Posts: 547	Hm.. I'm quite interested in their modular power supply, to see if it really makes a difference in real-world performance. __________________ ...with a crowbar.

3rd May 2008, 17:38	#8
Cthippo Can't mod my way out of a paper bag Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bellingham, WA Posts: 4,475	100A @ 12VDC? You could weld with that thing! Does he come off as a twit IRL? __________________ Notice: If we see you flaming we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate measures - The Bit-Tech Fire Brigade.

8th May 2008, 00:50	#14
unclebulgaria What's a Dremel? Join Date: May 2007 Location: A little south of heaven Posts: 14	Single line answers? Could the man have cared less?

17th Oct 2008, 02:49	#15
tonschk Modder Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: LONDON UK Posts: 60	Professionals dont use modular PSU , I avoid as much as I can modular PSU and I will never buy a modular PSU Last edited by tonschk; 19th Jul 2009 at 07:09.

19th Jul 2009, 06:33	#16
tonschk Modder Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: LONDON UK Posts: 60	I HATE Modular PSU and I will never ever buy a modular PSU , on the other side I LOVE PC Power and Cooling Last edited by tonschk; 19th Jul 2009 at 07:07.