All articles tagged with #power supply
Public opposition to AI data centers is strong, with a Gallup poll showing 71% of Americans oppose them, yet billions are being invested while construction slows due to land and power constraints, material and chip shortages, and labor bottlenecks. Analysts project only a fraction of the planned U.S. data-center capacity will actually be built by 2030, as permitting and supply-chain challenges persist.
A leak from momomo_us on X suggests Intel is updating the ATX12VO standard to Version 3, adding an 8-pin connector, removing the standby rail, and introducing Low Power/High Power modes for safety and efficiency. The update also brings PMBUS-based digital power management for motherboard communication, totaling 12 pins. Benchmarks reportedly show up to 29% better idle efficiency and roughly 12% higher efficiency under load versus traditional ATX PSUs, with an official announcement possible around Computex 2026.
President Trump says he has secured a ‘rate payer protection pledge’ with Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, xAI, Oracle and OpenAI to build or fund new electricity generation for AI data centers, with a March 4 signing event; details are scarce and enforcement questions loom, even as existing voluntary commitments and rising electricity costs intersect with growing data-center energy demand.
A Chinese manufacturer, Guangzhou Xinhongzheng Electronic Technology, signals that power supplies could rise about 6-10% and CPU coolers 6-8% due to higher costs for raw materials like copper, silver, and tin. The note advises buyers to stock up in January before promotions end in February, noting that ~90% of products are currently discounted and may soon sell at full price with higher markups. While the claim mentions potential for even larger hikes, there is no independent verification yet and the situation across the supply chain remains uncertain. Copper and silver demand, notably from data centers, underpins the broader price pressure on these PC components.
The article discusses how the AI boom is driving demand for infrastructure and energy solutions, highlighting stocks like Modine Manufacturing, bitcoin-mining companies, Williams, ProPetro, and utilities like Constellation Energy, which are positioned to benefit from the increasing power needs of advanced chips and data centers.
Data centres are increasingly turning to aircraft engines and fossil fuel generators to power AI operations due to delays in grid connection and supply chain issues, leading to a surge in demand for aeroderivative turbines and diesel generators, despite concerns over emissions and higher costs.
Ohio's electric bills are expected to rise due to a shortfall in power supply caused by high demand from data centers and AI growth, with capacity costs surging and auction results hitting maximum prices, raising concerns about affordability and reliability.
Pennsylvania's Governor Josh Shapiro threatened to leave the PJM power grid if it doesn't reform to better address surging energy costs, citing issues like rising demand from data centers and infrastructure challenges. The summit highlighted frustrations with the current system, with calls for increased state influence and potential alternatives like forming a separate grid or renegotiating participation in power auctions. The debate underscores the urgent need for grid modernization amid rising energy demands and costs.
The rapid growth of AI infrastructure and data centers is creating a significant power supply challenge, with the US falling behind China in capacity expansion. Addressing this issue requires urgent development of new energy sources and upgrades to the electric grid to sustain AI advancements and maintain US leadership in the industry.
The Trump administration is preparing executive actions to boost energy infrastructure for AI growth, including streamlining power grid connections, providing federal land for data centers, and creating an AI action plan, as part of the US effort to compete with China in AI technology.
Apple's redesigned Mac mini features a meticulously designed power supply unit with horizontally aligned components to save space, as revealed in a teardown by YouTuber Quinn Nelson. The compact design includes a spiraling heatsink and a separate motherboard for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. The M4 chip's efficiency allows the Mac mini to operate with a 150W power supply, aided by bus bars on the motherboard. Despite the compact design, the Mac mini remains affordable, with recent price cuts on Amazon.
ASUS has introduced the ROG Thor III 1600W power supply unit, featuring a modular OLED display and designed to meet ATX 3.1 standards. It offers high energy efficiency with an 80 PLUS Titanium certification and includes a Turbo mode for enhanced cooling. The OLED display is detachable and can be positioned for optimal visibility. Pricing and availability details are yet to be announced.
Alarms went off on the Dali cargo ship hours before it crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, indicating an inconsistent power supply while still docked. The vessel later lost power as it approached the bridge, ultimately causing the collapse. Six members of a road repair crew were killed, and a fourth body was recovered from a missing construction vehicle in the Patapsco River. The FBI has confirmed a criminal investigation into the events leading up to the crash.
FSP is preparing to launch the Cannon Pro 2500W power supply, featuring 80 Plus Platinum certification and upgraded PCIe Gen5 connectors. With three PCIe 6+2-pin and four PCIe 12V-2x6 connectors, it can support up to four RTX 4090 cards simultaneously. The fully modular design allows for flexibility in configurations, and the high power capacity ensures wattage is not a limiting factor. FSP has more products planned for a 2024 launch.
Telangana's new chief minister, Revanth Reddy, has wasted no time in making his mark on the administration. He has opened up the previously inaccessible Pragathi Bhavan to the public, reinstated the "Praja Darbar" concept of meeting with common people, and called for a meeting on the electricity sector, aiming to cut down unnecessary power purchases and ensure judicious consumption. Additionally, he is focusing on curtailing unnecessary expenditure on fancy schemes to promote frugality in public spending. It remains to be seen how long he can sustain this momentum.