A system integrator is calculating the power requirements for a video rendering workstatio… — CompTIA A+ (Core 1 & Core 2)

A system integrator is calculating the power requirements for a video rendering workstation. The rated peak power draws for the selected system components are as follows:

- Processor (CPU): $140\text{ W}$
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU): $310\text{ W}$
- Motherboard and RAM: $50\text{ W}$
- Solid-State Drives and Cooling Fans: $40\text{ W}$

To ensure stable operation under full workload and allow for component longevity, the specification mandates a minimum safety headroom of $20\%$ above the total peak power draw. What is the minimum power supply unit (PSU) wattage rating required to satisfy this specification?

A
$450\text{ W}$
B
$540\text{ W}$
C
$588\text{ W}$
$648\text{ W}$ Answer

Answer

The minimum power supply unit rating required is

648\text{ W}

The correct option is

648\text{ W}

. Sizing a power supply requires identifying the total maximum power consumption of all internal components (

140\text{ W} + 310\text{ W} + 50\text{ W} + 40\text{ W} = 540\text{ W}

) and applying the required

20\%

safety overhead (

540\text{ W} \times 1.20 = 648\text{ W}

Step-by-Step Solution

Sum the peak power consumption of all system components

Total peak draw =

140\text{ W} (CPU) + 310\text{ W} (GPU) + 50\text{ W} (Motherboard/RAM) + 40\text{ W} (Drives/Fans) = 540\text{ W}

Before sizing a power supply, the combined baseline electrical load of all installed hardware must be established.

Calculate the 20% safety headroom requirement

Safety multiplier =

1.00 + 0.20 = 1.20

Power supplies operate most efficiently and reliably when not running at 100% capacity continuously.

Multiply total peak consumption by the safety factor

Minimum PSU capacity =

540\text{ W} \times 1.20 = 648\text{ W}

This establishes the minimum continuous wattage rating required for the power supply unit.

Key Concept

Calculating Power Supply Unit Wattage and Safety Headroom

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