Need help with mATX power supply choices

So I'm getting ready to convert my current main rig over to a MythTV backend and build myself another computer to replace it. The problem is I built the one I have now with BIG in mind and now I want to build this new computer SMALL!!! I have decided on the Apevia (Aspire) X-QPack but I understand the included PSU is a hunk of crap. Because of the cramped nature of the case and the fact that the included PSU has a smaller footprint than a standard ATX I was wondering what kind of options I have for replacing it.

I WAS looking at the 200W bricked PSU from mini-box but after considering some possible hardware configuration changes I'm not very confident it could handle what I'm looking to purchase. Here's the specs I'm considering for now...

ASUS MsNPV-VM
AMD 64 X2 4800+

Throw in a DVD-RW and DVD-ROM, a couple of gigs of Corsair XMS2, a 72GB Raptor and a 250GB SATA, and MAYBE (if the onboard isn't good enough for me) a nice video card with dual DVI outputs.

Unfortunately the calculator is too smart for me...I jacked with it for 30 minutes and I guess I simply don't comprehend what it does because I never got an answer out of it. SO I guess what I need to know is how much PSU do I need, and what are some decent options in small PSUs that would fit my needs?

http://www.case-mod.com/store/seasonic-ss300sfd-active-pfc-80plus-300w-sfx-power-supply-p-1813.html

Review here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article286-page1.html

I thought that the Qpack will handle normal ATX psus? I'm not aware on the size of the crappy stock PSU but I'm almost certain you can stick a normal ATX psu in there. Now if you have an oddball optical drive that's really long you could have issues... but otherwise I think you can just get a regular ol' ATX unit.

That's what I'd recommend too, since you can throw a lot more at it versus a micro ATX unit.

[EDIT: Yup, the Qpack can handle standard ATX power supplies so long as they aren't longer then 15cm. You should have lots of choices then... even the FSP Epsilon units are only 14cm long.]

Yes the X-QPack can handle standard ATX power supplies but it's kinda cramped. That's why I had been looking at the externally bricked picoPSUs. Plus I want to put a small watercooling loop in the system to help pipe the heat from the CPU (and video card if necessary) to the outside of the case by mounting a 120mm radiator in the back of the case outside the 120mm fan (which will more than likely get replaced with a hydrostatic fan).

I figured if I can save as much room as possible with my choice of PSU then I'd have more room to stash the water cooling stuff. Honestly I'm putting together a very minimalistic system for this, just enough to handle my basic needs and a little gaming...I'm hoping that will keep things uncluttered enough to allow for the water gear.

How much are you looking to spend? For about $200 you can get an XG Magnum 600EX which is a very good 500W based on the Seventeam 500W external PSU. It'd be pretty future-proof for a QPack. It'll even do SLI.

Why don't you get the Micro-Fly case?

madmat...$200 is a bit on the excessive side for this but I would be thrilled to have an external PSU oprion capable of handling the aforementioned hardware configuration. Has anyone done the calculator that's smarter than me to know what wattage I'm going to need? That would help my decision a lot.

MassiveOverkill...no offense but isn't that the same case with separate case panels instead of a single slide on unit? And to be honest I think I'd really rather have the solid unit for this one. In fact the review at SFFTech said that the three panels were a much worse option than the original single due to fit and finish issues. HOWEVER...in the same review they compared it to Silverstone's SG01 which I had not seen and now I'm kinda thinking it would be a kick ass case for this so I might be going up in my dollars

Generally...I'm not a gamer. Well not much of one anyhow. I suck at FPS's, my brother plays them very well but for some reason I've never gotten the hang of them. I think once they invent virtual reality FPS's where you actually physically move and duck and shoot stuff with a little plastic gun I'll be a force to fear with my current training but translating my job to a keyboard doesn't work very well for me. That being said...I DO do a little gaming from time to time though my games tend to lean towards Starcraft/Warcraft with a splash of FPS with god mode for laughs. I'm hoping to get better (I recently bought Doom3) but I seriously doubt I will ever have a need for SLI or Crossfire graphics.

I would like to future proof my system to a certain degree though I believe that level would max out somewhere around Vista and some mild gaming. Mostly I'm a web geek/media freak. Sorry just wanted to clarify a little in case it helps in selection.

ETA - On second thought I googled that Magnum 600EX and I'm starting to think that it might be worth the dough. Is there a smaller wattage/lower price version available?

Smaller yes but it's internal. The 500W is the smallest external version Seventeam makes sadly.

I don't get the whole magnum thing... it's the same thing as buying a regular PSU and putting it on the outside of the case, while finding a creative route for the cables into the case..

I actually prefer the 3 seperate side panels. I had no fit/finish problems with either of the two Micro-Fly cases I had and I think putting on the 3 seperate panels was actually easier than the Q-pack's single panel. The Micro Fly is about 20 bucks cheaper to boot and comes with a nice glossy finish vs. the flat finish of the Q-pack.

I'll be modding/repainting whatever case I end up with most likely so the surface finish won't mean anything to me. That SG01 sure looks good though...

Blue Falcon said:

I don't get the whole magnum thing... it's the same thing as buying a regular PSU and putting it on the outside of the case, while finding a creative route for the cables into the case..

Click to expand...

Yknow...you have a point...however the concept of an external PSU isn't without it's merit. For instance, in my specific application using an external PSU would leave the entire shelf in the case that would normally support the power supply to be used to house my water pump and/or other gear without cramping the already small case more than necessary.

I do agree with you on your particular argument that an extermal THAT big (The Magnum appears to be as large or larger than your average internal) seems pointless. You could spend half that much on a modular PSU and simply build your own modular system of cables and/or passthroughs to place the power into the case from the outside. I was hoping there would be a powerful enough option similar to the bricked externals at mini-box that would meet my needs.

The point behind the Magnum is to put the PSU out in the air where it will stay cooler than if it was bathed in heat from the case. It's the size it is due to having the biggest heatsinks I've ever seen in a PSU period. There's a pair of huge brazed copper heatsinks laying flat on top of the plates that the mosfets screw to and a small low RPM 80mm fan that comes on inside the PSU to blow across them.



The fan is nearly dead silent and can actually only be heard by pressing your ear to the PSU housing. The idea is to keep the PSU as cool as possible with as little airflow as possible to keep it quiet. With a standard PSU just laying outside the case you run the risk of listening to the fan noise since it's designed to run faster and keep ramping up as the load increases.



With a small enough load the fan in the EX won't even kick on making it a hybrid fan/fanless PSU.

Edit:/ It's been so long since I was in that PSU that I goofed on the way the sinks were made.

Went with micro fly instead along with this PS http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=PS-E5150GH gotta love efficency/price. Working great for me just wires arent sleeved but that is easily solved.

I haven't completely ruled out the Magnum...I think it could look sweet sitting on topn of a small case like the X-QPack or SG01 but the price is a lot more than I wanted to spend and it's STILL going to be more than I'll ever need for this application. I may just have to look into standard size PSUs and hope for the best when adding in the water cooling equipment.

Look at the W/C forum doing a search for QPack. There are several people that have done a W/C version that was all internal and seemed to have no problems.