PSU regulation

[DragonMaster]

I'm just wondering something :

If, in a DIY computer linear PSU project, I decide to provide separate regulation to each devices, do you think that the very little voltage difference between each will cause some problems?

Just wondering, since the HDDs, mobo and optical drives will all run off different regulators.

 

[Nodsu]

It should work no problem, many modern PSUs come with several 12V rails for example. Make sure you have common ground though..

 

[DragonMaster]

Make sure you have common ground though..

I knew that one tho. I'm not going to use +12v as a 0v reference for the HDD.

It should work no problem, many modern PSUs come with several 12V rails for example.

Yeah, it's true, what made me wonder this was that I never saw any PSU with separate regulation for the ATX and 4-pin Molex connectors.

 

[DragonMaster]

I decided to go with an Enermax Liberty instead. Linear regulators are too un-efficient (40% vs 80% for Enermax liberty), and it would have cost way much more.