Efficent 200W PSU for NAS

[Wolfsbane2k]

Hi,

I'm trying to build a new mini-pc/server, and i want as efficent as possible ( within reason ) PSU to run it.

Turion MT32 (was P_m 1.4ghz )
K8NF4G-SATA2 (wasDFI 855GME-MGF SKTmPGA479M mobo)
3x3.5" HDs
512m ram
GFX is built into the mobo
Expandability - 1x PCI SATA card + 3x3.5" HD.

At present, i'm looking at the Antec Phantom 500W , but i can only pull efficency values for running at full pelt - not at the 240W i'm going to need. Also been looking at the small shuttle psu's, but can't find a review of them anywhere.

Has anybody got any suggestions?

Ta!

Wolfsbane2k

 

[Wolfsbane2k]

I've started looking at power blocks with DC converters, but not having much luck.

Anybody got any other ideas?

Ta!

 

[[Spectre]]

Is there a size requirement on this? A price requirement?

 

[Wolfsbane2k]

Hi Spectre.

It's a noise requirement and 3 year total cost of ownership. Basically i'm fed up of having a 600W PSU running all the time, swallowing up my electricity bills!

I've just changed the CPU to a MT32 skt 754 chip cos one fell in my lap for £10, so going to drop change to DDR1 sticks.

Running it all through a calc leaves me with a need for a 300W PSU, so the shuttle 300W is looking good.

As for size - i'm going to build a case around all the bits when they arrive (dremel time) to make it as small and efficent as possible - i'm using a mATX board.

 

[[Spectre]]

Hi Spectre.

It's a noise requirement and 3 year total cost of ownership.

Quiet+efficent means seasonic. Either the super tornado series if you can still find them or the S-12 330w or 380w. Being across the pond I don't know how much they will cost.

See the reviews at www.silentpcreview.com

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article20-page1.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article107-page1.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article261-page1.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article226-page1.html

Basically i'm fed up of having a 600W PSU running all the time, swallowing up my electricity bills!

That is a common misconception. A PSU only produces what is needed...they aren't always producing x number of watts all the time. Now proper loading will affect efficency though.

 

[Wolfsbane2k]

Quiet+efficent means seasonic.
That is a common misconception. A PSU only produces what is needed...they aren't always producing x number of watts all the time. Now proper loading will affect efficency though.

Thanks for that... i'll go looksee.

I'm not falling for the misconception here - i've stuck a power meter on the back of the pc and while all it's doing is waiting for someone to ping it, it's drawing 380 watts... which rises to 530 when it's running full pelt (dual xeon's)

So as much as some of it is power hungry chips, the actual draw needed is only 165W in idle - so that's less than 50% efficent :/

hence the changes. [Oh - the xeon's don't wait around long, they run f@h after 5 mins of no work ]

 

[[Spectre]]

Thanks for that... i'll go looksee.

I'm not falling for the misconception here - i've stuck a power meter on the back of the pc and while all it's doing is waiting for someone to ping it, it's drawing 380 watts... which rises to 530 when it's running full pelt (dual xeon's)

So as much as some of it is power hungry chips, the actual draw needed is only 165W in idle - so that's less than 50% efficent :/

hence the changes. [Oh - the xeon's don't wait around long, they run f@h after 5 mins of no work ]

Hmmm....sorry thought you were talking about a Turion system + 600w PSU.

 

[Wolfsbane2k]

Hmmm....sorry thought you were talking about a Turion system + 600w PSU.

No worries - but it helps explain why i wanted to built a more efficent machine
Just bought the s12 330W Psu for the system - ta