Power Supply for Xeon Server

[DJStillman]

Hey all:

Just got an Intel 7500wv2 dual xeon board. Capable of 12GB DDR Ram (6 slots), 6 PCIX slots (with risers), onboard scsi160, dual ethernet. Want to put it in a 4u rack case with at most dual 2.8 xeons, 4-6 120mm fans, 2-6 scsi 15k hard drives, dvd burner and floppy.

Anyway, I know that this board has the 24 pin main power supply plug (eps?), and the 8 pin auxilliary plug. When looking at the Intel motherboard spec sheet, the psu recommended is a 480w eps, with +5v@20A, +12V1@18A sustained, +12V2@18A sustained -12V@.5A, and 3.3V@24A max. So far, I have had a hard time trying to find a power supply like that, and if I did, I would imagine it costing a small fortune.

I found a PSU spec calculator from Intel, and they show that at most, I would need: 3.3@3A, 5@16A, 12@28A, -12@.05A, and 5VSB@2A. That would amount to 430w. I have read a ton on power supplies, and realize that I have just barely scratched the surface. So, I am asking you all for advice.

I read the excellent stickies about power supplies, and see a few choices (I think). Without getting an EPS power supply, can I use the plug adaptors for pin differences, or is there a good psu that has all that I need for a reasonable price? I know not to get the el cheapo brands, but at the same point, my budget is limited to around $50 shipped. I have seen several psus that seem like they fit the bill, but am unsure if they do in real life useage. Also, I do not want to have a huge behemoth power eater sitting around doing nothing, like a 600w+ beast.

So, what would you guys use? The only two power supplies that look good both in review and price are the XClio 450bl and FSP AX450-PN. They goes on Newegg for between $51 and $57 shipped.

I look forward to your replies.

David

 

[madmat]

Is it going to be mission critical? If so get a redundent PSU if not just get a good ATX 2.0 PSU

 

[DJStillman]

I just need a plain power supply...

After a whole day, no one has any thoughts?? Wow...

 

[[Spectre]]

I just need a plain power supply...

After a whole day, no one has any thoughts?? Wow...

Less than 16 hours isn't a whole day

Hey all:

Just got an Intel 7500wv2 dual xeon board. Capable of 12GB DDR Ram (6 slots), 6 PCIX slots (with risers), onboard scsi160, dual ethernet. Want to put it in a 4u rack case with at most dual 2.8 xeons, 4-6 120mm fans, 2-6 scsi 15k hard drives, dvd burner and floppy.

Anyway, I know that this board has the 24 pin main power supply plug (eps?), and the 8 pin auxilliary plug. When looking at the Intel motherboard spec sheet, the psu recommended is a 480w eps, with +5v@20A, +12V1@18A sustained, +12V2@18A sustained -12V@.5A, and 3.3V@24A max. So far, I have had a hard time trying to find a power supply like that, and if I did, I would imagine it costing a small fortune.

I found a PSU spec calculator from Intel, and they show that at most, I would need: 3.3@3A, 5@16A, 12@28A, -12@.05A, and 5VSB@2A. That would amount to 430w. I have read a ton on power supplies, and realize that I have just barely scratched the surface. So, I am asking you all for advice.

I read the excellent stickies about power supplies, and see a few choices (I think). Without getting an EPS power supply, can I use the plug adaptors for pin differences, or is there a good psu that has all that I need for a reasonable price? I know not to get the el cheapo brands, but at the same point, my budget is limited to around $50 shipped. I have seen several psus that seem like they fit the bill, but am unsure if they do in real life useage. Also, I do not want to have a huge behemoth power eater sitting around doing nothing, like a 600w+ beast.

So, what would you guys use? The only two power supplies that look good both in review and price are the XClio 450bl and FSP AX450-PN. They goes on Newegg for between $51 and $57 shipped.

I look forward to your replies.

David

A couple of questions/reactions......

What chassis is it going in exactly?

Up the budget. Seriously you are going to be putting 3g's+ of server togerther and want a reliable solution on a LOW end consumer budget....that is not realistic.

Don't use adapters.....especially in a server...reliability is your number one priority.

A larger speced PSU only produces what is required so there is no real appreciable cost difference in using a beefier PSU than a less and a heavily taxed smaller PSU will be worse on heat than a more properly sized one.

 

[DJStillman]

Less than 16 hours isn't a whole day

Sorry, I tend to think in business hour days...

A couple of questions/reactions......

What chassis is it going in exactly?

A 4u rackmount chassis.

Up the budget. Seriously you are going to be putting 3g's+ of server togerther and want a reliable solution on a LOW end consumer budget....that is not realistic.

I am not looking for the fanciest setup in the world, just one that works reliably... I was giving the worst case need scenario, not the what I expect scenario. I just wanted to make sure I had a little leg room, so to speak...

Don't use adapters.....especially in a server...reliability is your number one priority.

I had kind of thought that, but was not totally sure. Where I would need the adaptor is for the 8 pin auxilliary connector, so I thought it might be ok...

A larger speced PSU only produces what is required so there is no real appreciable cost difference in using a beefier PSU than a less and a heavily taxed smaller PSU will be worse on heat than a more properly sized one.

I can understand that. I just don't want to go all out on a not so fancy rig. I figured I could go comparable to what Intel specced, as they would have to know it would be safe to do...

 

[[Spectre]]

A 4u rackmount chassis.

I caught the 4u part but which 4u chassis exactly?

I am not looking for the fanciest setup in the world, just one that works reliably... I was giving the worst case need scenario, not the what I expect scenario. I just wanted to make sure I had a little leg room, so to speak...

Even without the top of your list you still are going to want to go with a bigger budget than a budget that limits you to a low end PSU.

I had kind of thought that, but was not totally sure. Where I would need the adaptor is for the 8 pin auxilliary connector, so I thought it might be ok...

Adapters add 2 things:

1) A new failure point
2) A small amount of resistance

I can understand that. I just don't want to go all out on a not so fancy rig. I figured I could go comparable to what Intel specced, as they would have to know it would be safe to do...

You can go close to what Intel speced but not with a budget priced PSU.

You are going to want to go with a minimum of an EPS on par with a Zippy, PC Power and Cooling, Emacs, Estasis, Delta, ect that meets or exceeds Intels recommendation. This is for a server after all...something you want to be reliable. Cheap PSU's rated at low temp, low MTBF, trapped in a 4u case with 2 2.8 Xeon's are not going to be robust enough to be a good stable solution.

 

[jonnyGURU]

Fortunately, a 4U is typically a standard ATX power supply.

I won't comment because I don't know the budget. But personally I would use a quad rail EPS PSU for a dual Xeon. One with a rail for each CPU.

Otherwise, a PSU with dual 18A 12V rails isn't uncommon. But I would invest at least $89 and not "$51 to $57 shipped."