How much PSU for 16 disk file server?

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bubbles

Limp Gawd
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Dec 16, 2005
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I currently have 9 SATA disks in a 2U rackmount case, with a 460W Emacs PSU. I want to move everything into a CM Stacker 810 and then add some more drives. How much PSU do you think this would need for about 16 drives? Would a SeaSonic S12 550W be enough? I reckon a 650w would be more than ample but it's an extra $50. The server is only used by me so has very low load unless I'm copying files. It's a P4 2.4Ghz with 1GB ram and onboard video.
 
I do not know if a 550w would get those drives spinning, I know I had 20 drives on my 750w PC Power & Cooling and it went to 600-650+ to get those running, I had no optical drives and onboard video.....
 
You are gonna need at least a 650 but why stress out the PSU for no reason? Go at least 750 or maybe higher to keep the the PSU from being at too high a load for long periods of time.
I have 14 drives, p4 2.4ghz northwood, 512mb with on board gigabit, 10/100 and video not to mention 2 - 3ware 9500 series RAID cards and it idles around 230 watts.

Though now I am looking at tossing all the 250s I am running and just going with 4 - 1TB drives to hopefully drop my wattage down a little bit. :)
 
Well I want the system to be as quiet as possible and I know the SeaSonics are quiet but they only go up to 650w so that's what I was looking at.
 
I've got 8HDs, E4300, NV7800, DVD burner, etc and my Kill-O-Watt only shows 120 watts idle, 150 watts running 100% CPU.

That S12 550 would be perfect IMO. Good pick using Seasonic.
 
The big thing is not how much power it consumes when the machine is running, but when it boots up. Figure 2A per drive when booting up. So 16x2 = 32A, and that's just for drives. Startup power is the most important thing here, not how much you can get by with. For my system, I have a Silverstone OP650. ;)
 
550 is more than ample, just turn on staggered spinup from your raid controller...
 
protias said:
The big thing is not how much power it consumes when the machine is running, but when it boots up. Figure 2A per drive when booting up. So 16x2 = 32A, and that's just for drives. Startup power is the most important thing here, not how much you can get by with. For my system, I have a Silverstone OP650. ;)
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Seconded. Look for amperage in your PSU, and be sure you have enough connectors or means to safely split the power.
 
bubbles said:
I currently have 9 SATA disks in a 2U rackmount case, with a 460W Emacs PSU. I want to move everything into a CM Stacker 810 and then add some more drives. How much PSU do you think this would need for about 16 drives? Would a SeaSonic S12 550W be enough? I reckon a 650w would be more than ample but it's an extra $50. The server is only used by me so has very low load unless I'm copying files. It's a P4 2.4Ghz with 1GB ram and onboard video.
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I might investigate a lower-powered board - P4s are pretty power-hungry compared to an X2. But if you're trying to save money, put it all toward the power supply. A Corsair 520HX (40A on the 12V rail) should support 16 drives just fine. If you might later put in more drives, or a higher-powered CPU or video card, the 620HX or something bigger might be a good choice.

I suggest you consult the PSU forum here; they know what they're on about.
 
The Corsairs HX are actually made by Seassonic right? How are they for noise?
 
550/520 is fine... I think I had the exact same setup you're proposing, no issues.
 
the biggest power draw happens during drive spin up, unless you got staggered setup
Personally i run 16hdd file server with corsair 620hx and no staggered spin up.
 
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