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University Switches To DC Workstations

An anonymous reader writes "Researchers at the University of Bath, UK are undertaking an in-depth study of energy consumption within the new network, with the aim of demonstrating that running a large network of devices on DC rather than AC is both more secure and more energy efficient. AC electric power from the grid is converted to DC and runs 50 specially adapted computers in the University Library. Students using the system have noticed that the new computers are more compact and much quieter than the previous systems. The immediate advantages of the new system are not only for the user but for the energy bill payer and the environment."

7 of 468 comments (clear)

  1. Re:So... what? by somersault · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tesla is giggling in his grave

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    which is totally what she said
  2. AC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The only thing inside a computer that actually runs on AC is the computer's powersupply. The powersupply regulates this to DC voltages! The powersupply is also quite bulky and noisy compared to the other components.

    "Initial tests show that the system in Bath emits approximately half as much energy as heat than the previous AC powered system while running much faster."

    Yes, I'm sure it'll generate less heat when most of that heat comes from converting AC to DC, but why the hell would it run faster when everything else in the computer is still the same?

  3. Re:More Secure? Regionalism, maybe? by xs650 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Is it possible that there is a regional definition of "secure" to mean "very reliabile" or "very available."

    Yes, it's regional, as in "The wankers will stop nicking the computers if they can't use them at home."

  4. Re:So... what? by Opportunist · · Score: 5, Funny

    Too bad, if he was rotating it would probably generate some power.

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    We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
  5. Re:So... what? by ShakaUVM · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Edison: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

    Tesla: "If Edison had a needle to find in a haystack, he would proceed at once with the diligence of the bee to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. I was a sorry witness of such doings, knowing that a little theory and calculation would have saved him ninety percent of his labor."

  6. Re:So... what? by danlip · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Truthfully both approaches are valuable, and we would be a poorer planet without either of these men. It's a shame they disliked each other so much.

    Edison: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration."

    Edison contracted out all his perspiration. That's genius.

  7. Re:So... what? by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 5, Informative

    Tesla was the one who advocated for AC power. Edison was the one who argued for DC as the safer choice, and publicly electrocuted horses and other animals using AC to show how unsafe it was.

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    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!