First of all I'm very sorry if i post it in the wrong sector , please move it if i do because i couldn't tell where to post it.
Currently my PC runs fine , but i have no more 4 pin cable on my PSU , and i need more for a storage upgrade , and im thinking about using my old PSU for that , instead of buying a new one because i can't really afford it , so ...
Is it safe to power all my HDDs using the 2nd PSU and run the mobo , GPU on first PSU ?
and just curiousity could i power the GPU using the 2nd PSU too ? or its going to boom ? lol
You can get 4-pin molex Y-cable then you'll have an extra one and if you need more then get an extra 4-pin then that would give you 3 extras. No need to use a second PSU
Also check the total load can be handled by your power supply.
Quality is a factor a good brand, like corsair will be more reliable than a cheap no-brand with higher power.
It is unadvisable to use two PSUs in a standard PC. The power supplies are switching supplies that have checks and balances between the PSU and the load they are powering. Two power supplies will upset this balance and may cause serious problems. It will be difficult to isolate the outputs from each other. Some high end servers may have two PSUs, but they are specially designed for it. PCs are not. Saying that, there are people who have used two PSUs but I would not do it myself.
+1 for Corsair PSUs and they should cover all your needs, but adapters like above may also help.
Hot swap has been about for years, again, the total load must be able to be handled by what's left if multiple supplies are being used.
Linking two common PC supplies would need a bit of hacking, the soft power up line needs linked over from the motherboard. You'd need to make sure that they are solidly grounded between the supplies so that there is no voltage difference between connecting lines.
Does the storage upgrade have to be internal or will external USB hard drive work?
I was going to write that HDs draw an insignificant amount of power, but I checked: a WDC Velociraptor (10k RPM drive) needs a peak current of 1.8A at 12V, or over 20W max. (The average power consumption for writing is less than 6W.)
Still, if your main PSU has any decent overhead, the Y connectors are the cheap and painless way to proceed.
But Molex connectors? That suggests PATA drives, or some first-generation SATA drives. Early 2000's at the latest? (No criticism intended. Just curious.)
If necessary you can use two PSUs but best if they are same. Problem of starting both of them at same time can be solved by something like this: Amazon.com: Vantacor Dual PSU Adapter Cable 24 Pin 2-way: Electronics
wow thanks for answering , but i believe that topgundcp's solution will work , my PSU doesnt have much of an overhead but i believe that 20~40W shouldnt be too much for it to handle
