1.21 Gigawatts!

699 weeks ago

I think I might be in trouble. Put a new AC unit in the window last night and it blew a breaker while I was playing FFXIV. Got it sorted today by running a extension cable and plugged the AC into a different circuit. This made me realize something though. I have another PC coming that is going to have a 1000 watt PSU in it and that will be two 1000w PSU pc's running off the same circuit. I know my current system at most uses about 700w and the new system will be at most 850w. The circuit is on a 15 amp breaker. If you do the math 15 amps X 120 volts = 1800 watts. So I think I will be ok but I am no electrician. Anyone have any input? I will have 4 monitors and at most 3 lights running too but those are minimal draw. Also the AC unit uses 1410 watts so that's why it was blowing the breaker lol.

last edited 699 weeks ago by Liono Thundercat

Lunatic Officer replied

699 weeks ago

My imput is, either run the second computer off a different breaker, or get a 20amp. You could also test the computers, put them both on the same circuit and run them both at the highest power consumption you can to see if it pops or not, but I'm not too fond of intentionally subjecting my PC to a power outage

Liono Thundercat Member replied

699 weeks ago

I read somewhere that you can't simply switch a 15a breaker to a 20a breaker though. Cause it most likely isn't wired for 20a service. But yeah that was my plan, hook them both up and start furmark and Prime 95 on both, turn all the lights and see what happens.

Raiden Officer replied

699 weeks ago

You can just switch the breakers but I would suggest you use size 12 wire to run off of the breaker because certain write sizes go with certain breakers and you don't want to fry the wire.

Liono Thundercat Member replied

699 weeks ago

That's what I mean, the wire coming from that circuit is only 14 gauge wire and the breaker box is in the basement and the circuit is on the second floor of my house. Not really up to the job of rewiring my house. I will get a electrician to install a dedicated circuit for the AC and maybe upgrade the circuit for the PC's to 20 amp. But that's gonna be pricy.

Luderic Admin replied

699 weeks ago

Whatever you do, do not put a 20 amp breaker if your wire is 14 awg.

I do think you will be fine with two computers.

Worst case scenario, replace your light bulbs with CFL if it isn't already done. You will be able to save about 100w this way. (If you currently have 40w standard light bulbs)

Edit : I used a PSU calculator to see how many watts your PSU should be and I found 811W. This is at 100% usage. + Safety factor.

Let's say both computer would be beasts like this, you would need 1622W, 15A @ 110V (110 is closer to reality than 120) = 1650W max.

Still, all components of your computer won't be at maximum usage at all time. When I play Final Fantasy XIV, I can see that my two video cards (560 Ti) are not at 100% and can still gives me 60 FPS most of the time. My CPU (i5 2500) doesn't seem to go higher than 50% too.

last edited 699 weeks ago by Luderic

Liono Thundercat Member replied

699 weeks ago

Yeah thats what I was thinking Luderic. A guy I work with says he runs his whole house off a generator when the power goes out off a 30amp breaker and his whole house is wired with 12 gauge. He said as long as I know my watts aren't gonna be over 1800 then it will be ok to put a 20amp in. I dunno though, worse case I guess.

Powered By