AnandTech Interview with CTO Doug Dodson
Highly respected technology review site AnandTech had a chat with Founder and CTO Doug Dodson to discuss the company's products and technology. AnandTech's PSU reviewer Christoph Katzer had a few questions for Dodson regarding several of the company's philosophies behind its technology and power supplies.
Speaking of PSU Myths published on your website, what is your opinion about modular cables today since you found them unstable? The fact is that most of the users want modular cables just to be free to remove them when they're not needed.
Dodson: Just because users like them doesn't make them good. The fact is that with lower wattage consumer PSUs you can probably get away using cable management because the voltage losses are relatively minor and reliability isn't critical. With higher end power supplies above 800W, it would be careless to use such a design because the voltage drop through the connectors is significant and the applications tend to be mission critical.
What is your opinion on the constantly increasing wattages of power supplies? Why there are so many power supplies today offering more than 1000W? There is obviously no need for them at the moment.
Dodson: The need for high wattage PSUs was created by platforms with multiple CPUs and GPUs. When you see the market of power supplies in general, you will see lots of lower end manufacturers claiming high wattages. In some cases they can only reach half of the stated output, so consumers need to buy a PSU labeled as 1000W to get a continuous 500W. In the high-end sector, you can choose a quality PSU with a more moderate maximum output, because it can actually deliver that amount of power.
Why are the high-end power supply manufacturers still pushing such high wattages?
Dodson: Systems with multiple CPUs and GPUs can actually draw around 1000W. In other cases, users want the advantages associated with operating at 40-70% capacity. These include wider input operating range, longer hold time, lower noise and ripple, cooler, quieter operation, and longer product life.
Why exactly is one 12V rail better than separate rails, and why is this not a safety issue for the user?
Dodson: One 12V rail is better because all of the power supply's capacity is available to the system. With a multi-rail 12V design, as much as 30% of the PSU's capacity can be trapped on under-utilized rails. For example, if one 12V rail rated at 18A is for the CPU, and the CPU only draws 8A, the remaining 10A cannot be utilized by other components in the system.
What has changed at PCP&C since the buyout by OCZ? You obviously sell more power supplies now.
Dodson: Actually, a lot is still the same. PC Power & Cooling has the same experienced staff in the same location we've had for 17 years. We are much more productive now since we don't have to concern ourselves with things handled by the OCZ team such as sales and finance.
It's been six months since you joined forces; what can we expect in the near future from either PCP&C or OCZ?
Dodson: On the OCZ side, we have just announced the new single rail EliteXStream 800W and 1000W power supplies at CES 2008. On the PC Power & Cooling side, we are now shipping the Turbo Cool 860W with 84% efficiency, 1.5% regulation, and adjustable rails. Next will be the Turbo Cool 1200 ESA version, a blue version of the Silencer 750W, and the new ultra-quiet Silencer 500W.
Read the entire interview at www.anandtech.com
