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Difficulty: EasyExpansion Cards and Power Supplies

A computer technician is sizing a replacement power supply for a desktop computer. The graphics card consumes 300 W300\text{ W} at peak load, and all other internal components combined consume 200 W200\text{ W}. To maintain system stability, the power supply must provide an additional 20%20\% power headroom above the total peak power draw. What is the minimum power supply wattage required?

  1. 600 W600\text{ W}Answer
  2. B
    500 W500\text{ W}
  3. C
    360 W360\text{ W}
  4. D
    300 W300\text{ W}

Answer

The minimum power supply wattage required for the system is 600 W600\text{ W}.
The total base power consumption of the system is 300 W+200 W=500 W300\text{ W} + 200\text{ W} = 500\text{ W}. Including the required 20%20\% safety margin (500 W×0.20=100 W500\text{ W} \times 0.20 = 100\text{ W}) increases the minimum total requirement to 600 W600\text{ W}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the total base power consumption of all internal components.
300 W+200 W=500 W300\text{ W} + 200\text{ W} = 500\text{ W}
All hardware components draw power concurrently during peak load.
2
Calculate the required 20%20\% safety overhead.
500 W×0.20=100 W500\text{ W} \times 0.20 = 100\text{ W}
Providing power headroom prevents system instability and component degradation.
3
Sum the total base power draw and the safety headroom margin.
500 W+100 W=600 W500\text{ W} + 100\text{ W} = 600\text{ W}
This total establishes the minimum rated wattage required for the power supply unit.

Key Concept

Power supply wattage sizing with safety margin
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Topics

Expansion Cards and Power Supplies

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