2006-08-09 06:26:53 · 4 answers · asked by Rob L 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
5 Volts is for the Logic Circuits
12 Volts is for the Stepper Motor and Spindle ( Platter ) Drive
2006-08-09 06:32:25 · answer #1 · answered by Perry 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the 12 volt circuits are used to run things that require more power (CD ROM motor, Hard drive motor, etc.) like electric motors and capacitors, that a 5v supply would blow a fuse on; the 5v supply is for the actual circuit board that will supply light power to the CPU, memory and other chips that don't use a high voltage or require heavy current.
2006-08-09 06:32:27 · answer #2 · answered by drumrb0y 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
5 volts is used for driving the electronics, and the 12 volts is used for driving the motor. Laptop drives only need the 5V.
2006-08-09 06:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by MatNeh 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Electronically, some components do not require a lot of voltage to operate..so for examply, you would need 12V for spinning the disk while 5V are for moving the Read-Write heads across the disk. I have seen Data Systems that require Negative voltages...so it is all in the electronics and how they where engineered.
2006-08-09 06:32:21 · answer #4 · answered by cbg_mx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋