red_avatar wrote on 2020-06-11, 20:21:
- they expect a "turn on" signal whereas AT PSU is either on or off, the button acting like a light switch. In other words, you can't hook up an ATX to a system that has a power button which creates a continuous connection (i.e. a button you can press in and stays in)
The AT-ATX adapter I have works with a "constant on" switch.
- you need -5V which ATX doesn't supply unless you got a really old ATX PSU and that kind of defeats the point since that might break soon as well. I believe -5V is needed for the ISA bus?
Hmm good point. I didn't know that. Since I am currently using no ISA devices, maybe I didn't notice.
Me personally, I'd recap my old AT PSU with improved components and use that instead because it's not that expensive to recap, you get to keep the original PSU and it's often going to last longer recapped than whatever alternative you might find which will likely have cheap components as well ...
I don't know if all that's wrong with my unit is recapping. The PSU seems to be in really bad shape and wouldn't even power up right now, and honestly, I'm not much for recapping PSUs, it's a bunch of work.
I agree ~45 is not that bad, but since ATX PSUs are cheaper, I thought I'd ask.
cyclone3d wrote on 2020-06-11, 21:09:The only real reason to use an AT power supply is if you need the -5v signal and.
1. Don't have an ATX power supply with -5v
2. […]
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The only real reason to use an AT power supply is if you need the -5v signal and.
1. Don't have an ATX power supply with -5v
2. Don't have an ATX to AT adapter that adds the -5v
3. Don't want to add the -5v circuit yourself to the adapter.
Any idea how I can know if I need it? All I intend to put in the ISA port is a Sound Blaster or an AdLib card, but it did come with a modem/gameport card I don't really need that might require -5V. not sure.
The adapter I have looks like a simple cable, I don't think it makes up for the -5V circuit. But wouldn't it be simple to make one that turns +5V ito -5V?
New ATX power supplies are way way way way way better in terms of efficiency, less ripple(cleaner power output which will help extend the life of components and also help them run cooler), and way better voltage regulation.
Those were my thoughts, too.