ATXPower

ATXPower is a term that generally refers to power supply units (PSUs) that adhere to the ATX form factor specification. This specification, developed by Intel, defines the physical dimensions, connector types, and voltage levels for computer power supplies. The ATX standard has been widely adopted in the PC industry, making ATX power supplies the most common type found in desktop computers.

An ATX power supply unit is responsible for converting AC power from a wall outlet into the DC voltages required by the various components of a computer, such as the motherboard, CPU, graphics card, and storage devices. These PSUs typically feature a fan for cooling and a range of connectors to interface with different hardware. Key voltage rails provided by an ATX PSU include +3.3V, +5V, +12V, and -12V, with the +12V rail being particularly important for powering high-demand components like modern CPUs and GPUs.

The ATX standard has evolved over time, with revisions introducing new features and efficiency standards. For instance, ATX12V specifications introduced dedicated +12V rails for improved performance. More recently, the ATX 3.0 standard has been introduced, focusing on higher power excursions and the integration of the 12VHPWR connector for next-generation graphics cards. When choosing an ATX power supply, users consider factors like wattage, efficiency rating (e.g., 80 Plus Bronze, Gold, Platinum), and modularity.