virtualrain
01-07-2008, 01:25 AM
PSU's are probably the most boring but important component in any PC system.
PC enthusiasts (including me) have demonstrated an enormous potential to pay for innovative, good quality products that not only perform, but also allow for superior levels of tweaking, control, and customization.
Yet, the PSU market offers nothing that would really appeal to enthusiasts beyond products with rediculous amounts of power and modular cables. Sad.
Why can't someone innovate on the PSU? Here are some considerations for making a wicked enthusiast oriented PSU...
- USB control and monitoring: Why not allow the user to monitor current loads and voltages on rails as well as DC and AC power consumption in real time via PC software via USB?
- Modular cooling: Why not build a PSU with a large heatsink on top that can then have any after market fan of 120mm or 140mm clipped onto the heat sink? Why not allow a copper water block option to be bolted to the end of the heat sink instead of using a fan?
- Variable 5V-24V rail: Why not include one rail that the buyer can customize the voltage on to either run some fans at 7V or a pump at 18V?
- A power bus distribution cable: Why not offer a power bus distribution cable which would include some large gauge conductors in either a rigid bar or even a sleeved cable that had many connection points along it so that short stubby cables could be run from various components to the bus cable? Why not offer a power hub that connects to the main PSU by a single heavy gauge connection but has numerous connectors on it to allow for components to be individually connected to the hub with short cables and not force running long narrow gauge cables back to the PSU from each device?
- Modular power: Why not offer the PSU's in 500W-700W blocks that can be combined together with a simple control cable that allows remote starting of multiple PSU's without modifying the ATX cable?
- Customizable: Why not allow the covers or heat-sinks to be removed an painted or plated without voiding the warranty? Or at least offer a variety of finishes on the PSU.
Surely this would all cost more, but I've spent so much time and money on custom cables and crap to make my build look elegant that I would gladly have paid for these options if they were available in an off the shelf product.
Anyone agree?
PC enthusiasts (including me) have demonstrated an enormous potential to pay for innovative, good quality products that not only perform, but also allow for superior levels of tweaking, control, and customization.
Yet, the PSU market offers nothing that would really appeal to enthusiasts beyond products with rediculous amounts of power and modular cables. Sad.
Why can't someone innovate on the PSU? Here are some considerations for making a wicked enthusiast oriented PSU...
- USB control and monitoring: Why not allow the user to monitor current loads and voltages on rails as well as DC and AC power consumption in real time via PC software via USB?
- Modular cooling: Why not build a PSU with a large heatsink on top that can then have any after market fan of 120mm or 140mm clipped onto the heat sink? Why not allow a copper water block option to be bolted to the end of the heat sink instead of using a fan?
- Variable 5V-24V rail: Why not include one rail that the buyer can customize the voltage on to either run some fans at 7V or a pump at 18V?
- A power bus distribution cable: Why not offer a power bus distribution cable which would include some large gauge conductors in either a rigid bar or even a sleeved cable that had many connection points along it so that short stubby cables could be run from various components to the bus cable? Why not offer a power hub that connects to the main PSU by a single heavy gauge connection but has numerous connectors on it to allow for components to be individually connected to the hub with short cables and not force running long narrow gauge cables back to the PSU from each device?
- Modular power: Why not offer the PSU's in 500W-700W blocks that can be combined together with a simple control cable that allows remote starting of multiple PSU's without modifying the ATX cable?
- Customizable: Why not allow the covers or heat-sinks to be removed an painted or plated without voiding the warranty? Or at least offer a variety of finishes on the PSU.
Surely this would all cost more, but I've spent so much time and money on custom cables and crap to make my build look elegant that I would gladly have paid for these options if they were available in an off the shelf product.
Anyone agree?