I an buying a couple of Mini-ITX motherboards (EPIA V10000), and i am wondering if it is possible to make an y-cable for the ATX powersupply, and put 2 (or more) motherboards on one PSU.
Are you sure, Thrax? I have been asking this question in another forum, and a guy there told it could be done? He said that it is used in small alarm systems (like burglar alarms in small companies etc.). One outlet for the computer and one the reporting system.
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Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited January 2004
I wish I could give you a more detailed answer, but I'm not an electrical engineer. The guy I asked is, though. He told me that it is an extremely bad idea. This was several months ago, when I was considering a similar setup myself, and I don't remember the exact reasons why it's a bad idea, but it is.
I do remember that he said basically what Thrax said- that it's a good way to destroy the boards and the PS.
Thanx I was hoping to save some space in my custom built rack. I am making a rack suited for 6 VIA boards. This means 6 PSU's ... damn. If anyone can give a detailed answer i am still interested.
There are a few links for ya from the folding community. There is one where you just use extra PSU extensions so you dont ruin your PSU connections so if it fubars it can be RMAed or used for a single motherboard.
I have been thinking about this for FAH. One good PSU is cheaper than 1 dual athlon motherboard.
The trick is isolation. You need to make sure that draw, or lack of it, on one mobo doesn't effect the other.
Real multiple output PSUs have diodes and opto isolators to prevent crosstalk.
If the PSU was way over rated it might work. But I still worry about the PSU regulation. The risk is that it would regulate different depending on the load and might not respond to changes is load properly.
Comments
Both the motherboards and the PSU run a heavy percentage of being irrevocably destroyed.
I do remember that he said basically what Thrax said- that it's a good way to destroy the boards and the PS.
http://shockclan.hopto.org/folding/psu2.html
http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=33884
There are a few links for ya from the folding community. There is one where you just use extra PSU extensions so you dont ruin your PSU connections so if it fubars it can be RMAed or used for a single motherboard.
I have been thinking about this for FAH. One good PSU is cheaper than 1 dual athlon motherboard.
Real multiple output PSUs have diodes and opto isolators to prevent crosstalk.
If the PSU was way over rated it might work. But I still worry about the PSU regulation. The risk is that it would regulate different depending on the load and might not respond to changes is load properly.