[Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

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  • leotron
    Member
    • Apr 2019
    • 29
    • Offworld

    #1

    [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

    As the title says do you think it would be useful for modern PCs to use more DC voltage ? I know you can compensate the lack of voltage giving more AMPs but still at this rate we should be using 36v at least. Also why we can't connect an badass AC turbine (110~220) inside the case?

    Delete the thread if its garbage please.

    Regards and thanks for you patience.
  • petehall347
    Badcaps Legend
    • Jan 2015
    • 4448
    • United Kingdom

    #2
    Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

    12v is easier to find in the ghetto .

    Comment

    • eccerr0r
      Solder Sloth
      • Nov 2012
      • 8705
      • USA

      #3
      Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

      (1) There needs to be some intermediate voltage, and it will still be a double conversion (120/240 line -> 12V or whatever -> 1.5V or whatever the ICs need, and this wire needs to be really thick as it could need to deal with upwards 50 amps...). 12V is ubiquitous anyway and it's needed for hard drives and other peripherals anyway.
      Note that in server farms they typically use 48VDC but this too is a historical number and may well could have been 36V. We should be focusing on using less energy anyway.

      (2) There's no 120V fans due mainly to cost - to ensure that it meets grounding safety requirements.

      Comment

      • redwire
        Badcaps Legend
        • Dec 2010
        • 3912
        • Canada

        #4
        Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

        Power mosfets in the 30V league are optimized for cost, use in laptops and motherboards, so you could go higher than 12V but not to 24V.
        Intel's new ATX 3.0 standard (for 600W gaming video cards!) is still 12V. They added a connector but seem OK to go to 50A. Nobody likes the standard yet.

        Comment

        • leotron
          Member
          • Apr 2019
          • 29
          • Offworld

          #5
          Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

          Thanks for the honest answers, maybe I forget that the big tech companies make money selling servers and such (BIG LEAGUE) desktop gaming pc it's just 5 dollars per piece if I recall correctly, the earning are in the ideas ("look i have an algorith or a diode that reduces 5w in pwr compsunsion, etc")

          .............

          Another question: Wouldn't be cool if the GPU came with their own PSU ?

          Comment

          • diif
            Badcaps Legend
            • Feb 2014
            • 6978
            • England

            #6
            Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

            Google's servers use 48v.

            Why would it be cool, what's the benefit ?

            Comment

            • desert-rat
              Badcaps Legend
              • Mar 2014
              • 4103
              • USA

              #7
              Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

              The old (ww2 era) aircraft tube radios had a small motor/ generator for the tube plate voltage ( 150-300 vdc typically)

              Comment

              • brethin
                Badcaps Legend
                • Dec 2008
                • 1907
                • USA

                #8
                Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                They way Video Card requirements are going I wouldn't be surprised to see a 24v or higher PSU introduced in the next year or so.

                Comment

                • brethin
                  Badcaps Legend
                  • Dec 2008
                  • 1907
                  • USA

                  #9
                  Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                  Originally posted by diif
                  Google's servers use 48v.

                  Why would it be cool, what's the benefit ?
                  more power less connecters.

                  Comment

                  • brethin
                    Badcaps Legend
                    • Dec 2008
                    • 1907
                    • USA

                    #10
                    Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                    It's the same reason battery yard tools went to 80v vrs 40v.

                    Comment

                    • Topcat
                      The Boss Stooge
                      • Oct 2003
                      • 16959
                      • United States

                      #11
                      Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                      I've kind of wondered this a little as well..... I'd love to see the little kiddies playing inside their PC's when there's a motherboard full of exposed metal with 80v present!!

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                      • ratdude747
                        Black Sheep
                        • Nov 2008
                        • 17136
                        • USA

                        #12
                        Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                        24V works great in my world. Pretty much *the* standard for industrial controls wiring (PLCs, automation, etc.).

                        Per OSHA (and other codes) Low voltage ends at 50V... which is why POE is considered low but 120V isn't. Which technically means the 90V on phone cords isn't low voltage either!
                        sigpic

                        (Insert witty quote here)

                        Comment

                        • desert-rat
                          Badcaps Legend
                          • Mar 2014
                          • 4103
                          • USA

                          #13
                          Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                          With the battery system on the new electric cars around 800v ,I can't wait until d I y ers with poor electrical skills start messing with them.

                          Comment

                          • TechGeek
                            Computer Geek
                            • Jan 2015
                            • 2254
                            • USA

                            #14
                            Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                            Originally posted by ratdude747
                            24V works great in my world. Pretty much *the* standard for industrial controls wiring (PLCs, automation, etc.).

                            Per OSHA (and other codes) Low voltage ends at 50V... which is why POE is considered low but 120V isn't. Which technically means the 90V on phone cords isn't low voltage either!

                            Unless there's ring current, then it's basically trickle-charge levels of current available.
                            Don't buy those $10 PSU "specials". They fail, and they have taken whole computers with them.

                            My computer doubles as a space heater.

                            Permanently Retired Systems:
                            RIP Advantech UNO-3072LA (2008-2021) - Decommissioned and taken out of service permanently due to lack of software support for it. Not very likely to ever be recommissioned again.
                            Asus Q550LF (Old main laptop, 2014-2022) - Decommissioned and stripped due to a myriad of problems, the main battery bloating being the final nail in the coffin.


                            Kooky and Kool Systems
                            - 1996 Power Macintosh 7200/120 + PC Compatibility Card - Under Restoration
                            - 1993 Gateway 2000 80486DX/50 - Fully Operational/WIP
                            - 2004 Athlon 64 Retro Gaming System - Indefinitely Parked
                            - Main Workstation - Fully operational!

                            sigpic

                            Comment

                            • Topcat
                              The Boss Stooge
                              • Oct 2003
                              • 16959
                              • United States

                              #15
                              Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                              Originally posted by TechGeek
                              Unless there's ring current, then it's basically trickle-charge levels of current available.
                              ~100v @ 20Hz will still sting you.

                              Those old magnetos from hand crank phones can be a lot of fun sometimes!
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                              • ratdude747
                                Black Sheep
                                • Nov 2008
                                • 17136
                                • USA

                                #16
                                Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                                Originally posted by Topcat
                                ~100v @ 20Hz will still sting you.

                                Those old magnetos from hand crank phones can be a lot of fun sometimes!
                                OT: Took some digging, but I found a better smiley for you in this case:
                                Attached Files
                                sigpic

                                (Insert witty quote here)

                                Comment

                                • Topcat
                                  The Boss Stooge
                                  • Oct 2003
                                  • 16959
                                  • United States

                                  #17
                                  Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                                  Added.

                                  Good find, especially for this place!
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                                  • sam_sam_sam
                                    Badcaps Legend
                                    • Jul 2011
                                    • 6070
                                    • USA

                                    #18
                                    Re: [Stupid Question #2] Why we are still using 12v on the ATX power source?

                                    Originally posted by Topcat
                                    This is a good one

                                    Comment

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