Module 7: The Power Supply
Week of Tue, Sep 15 · module closes Thu, Sep 17 · 10 points
Take Meerk's quiz for Module 7
This module's items
- M7 Discussiondue Thu, Sep 17 · 10 pts
Exact due times are in Canvas.
Know these cold
- PSU efficiency: 80 Plus (80%), Bronze (82%), Gold (87%), Platinum (90%), Titanium (92%).
- Key connectors: 24-pin ATX (motherboard), 8-pin EPS/CPU, 6+2-pin PCIe (GPU), 15-pin SATA, 4-pin Molex (legacy).
- Wattage: sum TDP of all components then multiply by 1.25 for 25% headroom.
- Modular PSUs allow removing unused cables — improves airflow and cable management.
- +12V rail powers CPU, GPU, and drives; +5V powers USB and legacy logic; +3.3V powers RAM.
- Toggle the PSU rear switch off and unplug before opening the case — standby +5VSB stays live until unplugged.
Meerk's quiz — open the Module 7 gate
10 questions, no time limit. 85% on your first attempt in a 24-hour window opens the gate. Retakes inside the window are practice — they help you learn, they don't count. Work alone; the point is to know it, not to have seen it.
Dinner Table Question
Ask at home: A system shuts down under gaming load but runs fine at idle. CPU temp is normal. What is the most likely cause?
En español: Un sistema se apaga bajo carga de juego pero funciona en reposo. Temp del CPU normal. Cual es la causa mas probable?