ITX Power Needs

[WaywardProgeny]

Alright boys and girls,

I'm looking at doing an ITX build, but i have no idea of the PUS needs for the system.

Here's my layout that I'm considering, all opinions and advice are appreciated.

Case: Thermaltake Element Q (Note: It comes with a 200w SFX PSU, not sure if i need more)
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-H55N-USB3
CPU: Intel Core i3-530 Clarkdale 2.93GHz
Memory: A-DATA 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333
HDD: Western Digital Caviar Blue - 320GB 7200 RPM
ODD: LITE-ON 24X DVD Writer

And thinking of using a COOLER MASTER DP6-9EDSA-0L-GP CPU Cooler (Due to space constraints of the case, any other low-profile CPU fan/heatsink ideas appreciated as well.)

Overall the Build is < $500 shipped.

~WP

 

[Nir]

200w PSU looks enough, i'd reckon this is a 120-140w system
anyway, as per Newegg comments, this actually comes with a 220w PSU (SL-B220SFX) so here u go..

 

[Necere]

You could probably run that on a quality 150w PSU. 200w should be fine.

Plugging in your components to an online PSU calculator should give you a good idea of what is required:
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp

This article may also give you a feel for the power consumption of various setups: http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cases/display/system-wattage.html

You'll see even a mid-range gaming PC (E8600/HD 4850, page 6) running full out prime95/furmark manages to come in under 200w (though you'd definitely want at least 250-300w+ for such a rig).

 

[fr500]

The case is the same as the APEX MI-008/MI-100

Terrible cooling, I would get a 120mm fan to mount on the side just in case

 

[WaywardProgeny]

@Nir
yeah i read that too, looked into it more yesterday and everything seems to be fairly stable and reliable with the PSU.

@Necere
thanks for the links, i've used the calculator prior, just wasn't sure of its accuracy.

@fr500
the internal heat is concern i was looking into, especially with all the components in such a confined area. i'll definitely take your suggestion and add a fan, or two if space allows it. i want to get as much flow through the case as possible.

 

[fr500]

One bad thing about adding fans is that the case is made of very thin and makes the whole case vibrate so it hums a lot. I lost patience and stored it in a closet

 

[WaywardProgeny]

lol you must have some long cables

 

[fr500]

nah mine is just a NAS, so it's there with power and UTP

 

[bastage]

PSU will be fine.. As for CPU cooling I would use the stock cooler or get a Scythe Big Shuriken (stock cooler is actually fairly quiet & cools fairly well). I Did a build in that system a while back & the cooling does pretty much suck ass.. If you dont mind it though Cut a 92mm fan into the bottom of the case up front & let it run at a slow speed (airflow wont be great, but its the thickest metal on the thing & it will still be a HELL of alot better then nothing) sucking air from the case blowing down. Since you dont have a GPU listed I assume the PCIe slot will be clear which means the whole side of the case is vented.

 

[WaywardProgeny]

@bastage
yes, there will be no GPU at least not at first. that's why i chose this mobo/cpu combo, i plan to use the onboard and integrated GPU components.

If i decide to go with this case i'll definitely look into where everything fits and where i can mod it for airflow.

 

[bastage]

@bastage
yes, there will be no GPU at least not at first. that's why i chose this mobo/cpu combo, i plan to use the onboard and integrated GPU components.

If i decide to go with this case i'll definitely look into where everything fits and where i can mod it for airflow.

If you plan to Later install a Graphics card then definitely stick with the stock cooler until your graphics is installed.. the H55's have the CPU socket too close to the PCIe slot so there isnt a lot of room. It would suck to put in a good cooler & then have to switch back to stock later

 

[WaywardProgeny]

If you plan to Later install a Graphics card then definitely stick with the stock cooler until your graphics is installed.. the H55's have the CPU socket too close to the PCIe slot so there isnt a lot of room. It would suck to put in a good cooler & then have to switch back to stock later

i doubt that i would upgrade to an actual GPU, the system would primarily be used for internet access and some light HTPC, any gaming i would be doing would be fairly low profile, so the Integrated GPU should hold up just fine.

I've been searching around a bit and am considering doing pretty much the same build (switch the HDD to a 2.5, and eliminate or external the ODD) into a M350 with a PicoPSU 150. . . i like the fact that i could mount it onto a monitor ...

 

[sweeper240]

Will either of these power adaptors work with the Pico PSU 150XT with out modification? Which one is likely to be the most efficient?

Sinpro MPU130-105
http://www.sinpro.com.tw/products_detail_2.aspx?big_cat_sn=13&cat_sn=27&name=MPU130 series

Touch Electronics A8H-130SC12-V(W)
http://www.touch-electronic.com.tw/products.php?productName=A8H-130(150)SC12(18)R

Delta Electronics ADP-150CB B AC Power Adapter
http://www.delta.com.tw/product/ps/adapter/adapter_product.asp?pcid=2&ptid=1

Prudent Way Universal Notebook & LCD AC/DC Combo 150W Power Adapter
http://3btech.net/prwayunnolcd1.html
You can choose voltage output.... this is cool, but what would happen if its accidentally changed to 19V (for instance)

Premium 12.5A 150W AC-DC adapter (this is advirtized as the companion power adapter to the PicoPSU 150XT)
http://www.short-circuit.com/product/premium-125A-150W-AC-DC.html

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[WaywardProgeny]

Will either of these power adaptors work with the Pico PSU 150XT with out modification? Which one is likely to be the most efficient?

Sinpro MPU130-105
http://www.sinpro.com.tw/products_detail_2.aspx?big_cat_sn=13&cat_sn=27&name=MPU130 series

Touch Electronics A8H-130SC12-V(W)
http://www.touch-electronic.com.tw/products.php?productName=A8H-130(150)SC12(18)R

Delta Electronics ADP-150CB B AC Power Adapter
http://www.delta.com.tw/product/ps/adapter/adapter_product.asp?pcid=2&ptid=1

Prudent Way Universal Notebook & LCD AC/DC Combo 150W Power Adapter
http://3btech.net/prwayunnolcd1.html
You can choose voltage output.... this is cool, but what would happen if its accidentally changed to 19V (for instance)

Premium 12.5A 150W AC-DC adapter (this is advirtized as the companion power adapter to the PicoPSU 150XT)
http://www.short-circuit.com/product/premium-125A-150W-AC-DC.html

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

i have not yet used a PicoPSU unit as of yet, though from several readings i would recommend using the one(s) off short-circuit.com. they carry both the PicoPSU, as well as the AC adapters, so i would say that is one of the better bets for compatibility.

As for the others they may be compatible but I'm not very experienced with them or other aspects of PSU needs/requirements.

~WP