> I am currious about switching mode power supplies.  How difficult would
> it be to design a SMPS for use in a desktop computer?

A lot more difficult than to buy one or salvage one from an old PC.

> Why would you do such a thing you ask...  In my experience PC power
> supplies are junk.  They are made with the cheapest parts availible.

Just like most mass produced commodity items, but that doesn't make them
junk.  It means they are carefully engineered to do what they need to, but
not cost a penny more than they need to.

> I also assume they aren't exactly pictures of efficency.

Why?  These things are optimized for cost, and up to a point efficiency
saves money.  Dealing with waste heat is expensive.  On the other hand,
they probably forgo the last few percent that might require more expensive
ferrite, special caps, etc.  I've never measured a PC power supply, but
just from the economic issues I would expect them to be "reasonably"
efficient, but not on the cutting edge.


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