So if I have a computer that has a 450 watt power supply, does that mean that it's using 450 watts per second?

Or that it's capable of supporting more components that require more power? (video cards, sound cards etc)

Will it use say, 120 watts while idling?

I've always wondered this....

it's divided to the rest of the computer like v.cards,sound.card,hdd, etc.. etc..

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Codefreek's - News Letter, Tech, & some random ramblings

Right, but say I have a 450 watt power supply with a motherboard with everything integrated. Video card, sound card, ethernet etc...

And they were all very low voltage...

Does that mean my PS is still using 450 watts or is it just using something more normal like 120 - 200 watts?

So I guess what I'm trying to ask is, is the PS still using 450 watts in order to just be there to support needed power or does it ramp up and use 450 only if a component needs it?

You use as much as your computer requires, 400 being the max. if that is what your PSU lists.

This took me less time to google than the above part took to write.
http://www.overclock.net/faqs/88117-...s-use-max.html

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Thanks! Looks like I wasn't the only one that was confused!