PSU assistance

[dar124]

I've got a couple of questions about a case/PSU and was hoping that someone here can give me some info. I'll try to make this as simple as possible and include all the necessary info, but if more info is needed just let me know.

The machine that I've got questions about is the "server" in my signature (and the pic below)

I decided that I wanted to put this server together and had this case, the PSU that came in it and a dc7600 motherboard from a HP machine. So all I had to do was purchase WHS 2011 and a couple of 2TB hard drives. But now I'm wondering if the PSU has enough power. After getting everything together and running it for a couple hrs at a time once a week or so while adding computers/setting up users/RDP/static IP addresses, etc it seems to run loud. So I was thinking that the 250W PSU that's in there now might not have enough power for all the additional hard drives, etc. I downloaded and ran PSUCalc and got this result.

PSUCalc lists recommended PSU's from 300W - 400W, this result seems to indicate that a larger PSU is needed. With all that being said ... we occasionally get rid of computers at work and I pulled a larger PSU from one of them, but it didnt fit into to case (cant remember exactly, but it was either too wide to fit or too long from the back of the PC to the back of the DVD drive). We have a mix of HP and Dell machines at work, but I'm trying to avoid removing all the PSU's that I come across until I find one that fits. I'm not sure if this case is some kind of custom case?? I was able to find this listing on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/280806801994?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649, but it doesnt help me much because it doesnt give any info about the PSU and I've replaced the old mobo that was in the case with a dc7600 that I had. I'm sure that somewhere there is another larger PSU that will fit, maybe??

The PSU that's currently in there is aprox 5 3/4" x 3 1/2" x 5". I could pull it to get more info from it if that would help, just didnt want to do that if it wasnt necessary as I'm still periodically running the server.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
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[makwy2]

I have personally had a case that was 99% similar to that case (I suspect it was the same one) and the issue was that the PSU "clamps" on either side make it difficult to put in a standard size PSU. I would recommend a little wrangling by first removing the ODD or just pushing it forward then the PSU installation becomes a lot easier.

Good Luck!

 

[dar124]

I would recommend a little wrangling by first removing the ODD ...

Thanks makwy2. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "remove the ODD"??

 

[Jorona]

Remove the optical drive. CD/DVD Drive.

It should just be a standard ATX psu. You need something cheep and cheerful. The Antec earthwatts or the Corsair CX series should do you nicely.

 

[Skripka]

Thanks makwy2. I'm not sure what you mean when you say "remove the ODD"??

Why does a server need an Optical Disc Drive (ODD), after the OS install...I think is what he was wondering. Hence saving some power, that being said You're only pulling 250W at full load, and removing the ODD won't save that much power.

PSUCalc probably is recommending 300-350W units over the 250W min in part because finding high-quality low-wattage (<300W) PSUs is kind of a crap shoot.

 

[dar124]

Ahh, ODD ... Optical Disk Drive, that makes sense

Yeah, I probably dont need the DVD drive in there anymore, especially if removing it will allow me to fit a new PSU.

If a standard ATX PSU should fit, I'll give it a go again with another one from work and if that doesnt work I'll look into the Antec earthwatts or Corsair CX PSU's.


Can I go with the PSUCal recommendation and assume something in the 300W - 380W range will be sufficient??


Thanks for the assistance.

 

[xxEIEIOxx]

Can I go with the PSUCal recommendation and assume something in the 300W - 380W range will be sufficient?

It should be fine. In general they say you take the amount you will need to run your devices and add about 50%, so that is in the correct range.

 

[d6bmg]

I think you should go for Corsair CX430V2.
Would be enough for your setup.

 

[dar124]

Thanks for the responses. I'll check to see what we've got here at work and will keep you updated with what I end up doing.
.

 

[dar124]

So, I was able to get a 365W PSU out of a HP tower. But ... had some issues with it fitting into my server case. There is a slight difference in the PSU heights. I've included a few pics.


PSU height difference. Old (IN WIN PSU) on left & "new" 365W HP PSU on right.

Here's a bracket on the case that prevents the new/larger PSU from fitting. This bracket is what the case top attaches to, so I dont think it'd be something that I can remove.

This is the label from the original/smaller PSU.

So, I'm thinking that I'd either need to get an exact replacement for the INWIN PSU, or maybe the HP PSU is a larger (non standard ATX) PSU??

I was able to find a 400W PSU that seems to be a compatible upgrade for the IW-P250A2-0, but I'm not sure that it's gonna be the exact same size to fit in the case?? http://www.atxpowersupplies.com/400-watt-power-supply-lpm2-20-p4.php

Any suggestions??

 

[Jorona]

The HP is not a standard ATX. Its also probably a bestec, and will kill your mobo in a couple months.

 

[Vapor1000]

the In-Win psu is a standard form factor and should fit in any case that is an ATX Standard. which yours is. Any psu that Newegg sells under their ATX Category will fix your problem.

There have been several good suggestions for psu's above refering to Corsairs & Antecs. I would recommend just getting one of them unless you are strapped for cash.

If you are that strapped for cash that $40 on a new quality PSU is gona cause you issues. Break out the Drimmel and after 10 minutes with the drimmel that oversized HP PSU will fit like a glove ;-)

 

[Jorona]

It should be fine. In general they say you take the amount you will need to run your devices and add about 50%, so that is in the correct range.

This is a debunked PSU myth. Aiming for 50% overhead is foolish at best, and down right wasteful. In this case though, its almost a nessecity because a good PSU wont be less then 300w.

 

[dar124]

The HP is not a standard ATX. Its also probably a bestec, and will kill your mobo in a couple months.

Thanks for the responses. Yeah, I figured that the HP PSU was an odd size. Damn HP's!!!

There have been several good suggestions for psu's above refering to Corsairs & Antecs. I would recommend just getting one of them unless you are strapped for cash.

If you are that strapped for cash that $40 on a new quality PSU is gona cause you issues. Break out the Drimmel and after 10 minutes with the drimmel that oversized HP PSU will fit like a glove ;-)

Ha ha, I had tought about getting the drimmel out, but was trying to avoid cutting the case. So I figured that if I could try the HP PSU I would at least be able to eliminate one of the options.


One other quick question ... I had a friend at work offer to let me use the below PSU as I'm finishing up setting up this server. Just wanted to get some opinions on it and see if it'd be worth buying from him to just use in the case?? Thanks.

 

[Jorona]

Uh, no. That looks like a converted AT PSU. Look at the 5v amps. I'd also be willing to bet its a pile of crap internally.

Just get a decent PSU. When a CPU/Ram/HDD goes bad, it usually doesn't take anything with it. when a PSU dies, it usually DOES take something else with it.

 

[dar124]

Thanks Jorona. This A-Power PSU was just a last minute thing that someone offered to let me use. I'll do a bit of searching for the Antec earthwatts or the Corsair CX series PSU's that were mentioned above. And hopefully order one of them in the next couple of days.

Thanks again for the responses. I'd rather check back a couple of times to verify things so that I wont have bigger problems down the road.

 

[dar124]

So, I've done a bit of searching today and I think that I've decided on a Corsair CX500 PSU. I found it on Tiger Direct and it's only $39.99 after the rebate. Seems like a pretty good deal!!

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=422168

Any opinions on this PSU?? Thanks in advance.

 

[Jorona]

It should be more then enough for what you're doing. If you can get the 430 cheaper, I'd go with it.

 

[dar124]

They're actually both $39.99 (with the rebate that ends today). So I figured that the 500W would give me a bit of room to grow in the future.

Placing order as we speak!!!

Thanks again.

 

[dar124]

The new PSU was delivered yesterday!!!

Thanks again for the input here. Looking forward to not worrying about this PSU for a while.

 

[larrymoencurly]

Thanks Jorona. This A-Power PSU was just a last minute thing that someone offered to let me use. I'll do a bit of searching for the Antec earthwatts or the Corsair CX series PSU's that were mentioned above.

I think I once checked an A-Power at Fry's, back when they had them on display and not just boxed up, and it seemed like one of the worst PSUs in the store. I wouldn't risk it, except for parts.

 

[dar124]

I think I once checked an A-Power at Fry's, back when they had them on display and not just boxed up, and it seemed like one of the worst PSUs in the store. I wouldn't risk it, except for parts.

Yeah, I had never heard of "A-Power" PSU's until I borrowed that one. I only ended up using it for a day or so to finish up configuring WHS. I got the new Corsair CX500 installed and can definitely tell that it's a good quality PSU. I love the number of connections and the cable lengths. All positives so far!!!

Thanks again to the [H] forum for the suggestions.