Power Supply Technology: Difference Between SMPS And DC-DC Converter

The power supply is a very important component in a computer. If the power supply is not working properly then you may experience many issues, like the computer may not start up or the fan of the computer will run continuously.

There are two types of power supplies, one is the switching mode power supply (SMPS) and the other is the direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter. Let’s find out what is the difference between them.

How does the SMPS work?

An SMPS is a kind of power supply that works on the principle of switching. When the computer is switched on, the SMPS will turn on the main circuit of the computer. It will regulate the voltage and the current of the circuit and provide it to the rest of the components in the computer.
Nowadays, SMPSs are very popular as they are the most cost-effective and reliable type of power supply. Some of the main features of the SMPS include the following:

High efficiency: The SMPS is much more efficient than the DC-DC converter.
Small size: The SMPS is smaller and lighter compared to the DC-DC converter.
Lightweight: The SMPS is very light and it won’t take much space in the computer.

What is a DC-DC converter?

The DC-DC converter is basically a power supply that converts the AC voltage into DC voltage. In other words, the DC-DC converter changes the input AC voltage into a DC voltage. The converted DC voltage is given to the rest of the components in the computer.

As you can see, the DC-DC converter is more powerful than the SMPS. The main advantages of the DC-DC converter are:

More durable: The DC-DC converter is more durable than the SMPS.
Bigger and heavier: The DC-DC converter is larger and heavier.

Conclusion:

I hope that you got some information on the power supply technology. I have also shared with you some differences between the SMPS and the DC-DC converter. I know that you will surely be very excited to know more about these power supplies. So, do not forget to read the full post to know more.

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