« Religious organisations and altruism | Main | reCaptcha - brilliant idea »
May 24, 2007
Google pushing vastly more efficient PSU's
The typical Power Supply Unit (PSU) in a PC converts only about 50-60% of the AC voltage that is pumped into it. The rest is dissipated as heat and power for driving the cooling fans.
Even the most efficient PSU's only reach 85% efficiency which is good, but can be a whole lot better.
Google has a tradition of building their own servers, leading the way for large server farms through the years -solving problems that other people thought they could live with. Not Google.
They have designed a PSU that is over 90% efficient.
How?
Well, traditional PSU's supply four or five different voltages. Most of these voltages are never used by the motherboard. Why is that? Well, the standard that defines how PC's are built has never been updated - it's a legacy issue.
Now, Google are working with Intel, and no doubt others, to try and get an new, open standard adopted that will lead to more efficient, quieter and ultimately cheaper computers. Well done Google!
It's not evil, but it is bad - super bad!
Posted by dottie at May 24, 2007 2:17 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.5thpercentile.com/blog/mt-tb.cgi/83