How much watts would I need ?

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:14 am

Hi guys, I'd like to known if any of you knew a GOOD wattage calculator. There's around 20 over google, but they all list very old component, which doesn't represent today's systems.

Here's my config I intend to build for an HTPC.

CPU: AMD Athlon64 X2 3800+ AM2
MB: ASUS M2NPV-VM
RAM: 1GB Dual Channel Kit PC2-5400
CASE: Zalman HP135
HDD: 1 Western Digital WD5000KS
PCI: Hauppauge WinTV Nexus-S
OPT: DVD+-RW
PSU: Fanless

Thanks in advance,

trudodyr · Post by **trudodyr** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 9:59 am

You shouldn't need more than 300W. Appropriate fanless PSU are offered by Amacrox and Silverstone, for example. The HD135 seems to have a thought-out airflow system, so you should be fine.

Devonavar · Post by **Devonavar** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 10:00 am

The one listed in this post is the best that I've seen, but it's far from 100% reliable.

But, I can tell you right off the bat that any power supply on the market should be able to handle your modest needs. I'd be surprised if the system you outlined requires more than 100W.

Bar81 · Post by **Bar81** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:03 pm

The Silverstone in my sig will be more than enough. That spec won't even crack 200w under load.

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:26 pm

Thanks for the link.

According to this calculator, my system should use 288 watts when used at 100%. So a 350watts PSU should be fine, just to be sure in case I want to add other HDD later.

Now I need to known what fanless PSU to use.

The Antec Phantom 350 seems EOL. I have a Phantom 500, and it works great. But I've read so much problem about the 350 version, so I presume this is why it has been discontinued.

I've also seen a Fortron Zen, but it is only 300watts

. I want 350watts to 400watts.

There's also the Silverstone ST30NF that I've seen, but it is only 300watts again...

I went to Amacrox website, it seems there's a 300watts and 560watts version, but nothing around 350-400.

I've found a Silentmaxx 400watts (YOUPI!!!!) here's the link http://www.silentmaxx.de/index.php?id=1 ... 61ad88ef43 , but the thing is I don't know much this brand, so I'd like some comment of you guys first.

There's a Thermaltake PurePower 350watts also, but don't even think recommending that to me. Thermaltake is one of the manufacturer that has a poor quality assembly, poor quality products, and charge too much for their crappy things!!

I've also discovered a new brand, which is popular in Europe, but not yet available in North America, Yesico. They have a 480watts PSU see the link here: http://www.yesico.de/deutsch/produkte/f ... 480atx-t2/ . But this is too much wattage for me anyways..

I've read on Tom's Hardware about some Elvanvital PSU, but I couldn't find the manufacturer website...

Finally, I went to OCZ, BFG and Seasonic website, and they did not seem to have any fanless PSU.

Your recommendation would be appreciated,
Thanks,

burebista · Post by **burebista** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:59 pm

Hmm, FSP announced Zen 400, matbe.com take some pictures but it seems that for now it's not on the market.

Devonavar · Post by **Devonavar** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:08 pm

288W? How, I only got 204W when I put your parts in. In any case, even 200W is an absurdly high estimate. You'll be fine with a 300W PSU, believe me.

All of the fanless PSUs except for the Yesico have been reviewed by SPCR, and you're more or less correct with what you've discovered.

My recommendation is the Silverstone ST30NF â€” I have never heard a report of this one failing. It seems to have very good longevity.

The FSP Zen is also good, and the Silentmaxx is more or less identical with slightly more capacity. Avoid the Thermaltake.

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 1:08 pm

Mari0-Br0s wrote:I've also seen a Fortron Zen, but it is only 300watts . I want 350watts to 400watts.

There's also the Silverstone ST30NF that I've seen, but it is only 300watts again...

Decent-brand 300 watts is way more than enough for a system with integrated graphics and three hard drives.

kentc · Post by **kentc** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:50 pm

Mari0-Br0s wrote:Now I need to known what fanless PSU to use.

and ofcourse you've read the "warnings" on spcr that a fanless might trap hot air in the case, raising case temperatures? generally a fanless psu needs some good airflow aswell. a nice seasonic psu would probably be inaudible in your setup..?

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:13 pm

kentc wrote:
Mari0-Br0s wrote:Now I need to known what fanless PSU to use.
and ofcourse you've read the "warnings" on spcr that a fanless might trap hot air in the case, raising case temperatures? generally a fanless psu needs some good airflow aswell. a nice seasonic psu would probably be inaudible in your setup..?

Yeah I knew all that.

An Hybrid PSU like the Phantom 500 (but shorter) will also be good. I don't mind if the system makes some noise while being stressed, but I want it to be absolutely quiet in idle! This is why I was looking for a fanless PSU.

If any of you knows some good Hybrid PSU, which has one fan turned off until temperature goes wild, than let me know.

I've read the SPCR review about the Nexus NX-9003. But LOL THIS ISN'T QUIET LOL. The fan is insane once it's turned on!!

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 5:35 pm

If any of you knows some good Hybrid PSU, which has one fan turned off until temperature goes wild, than let me know.

Nesteq Semi-fanless:

http://www.quietpc.com/gb-en-gbp/produc ... esteq-psus

Probably not available in Canada though.

http://www.quietpc.ca/psu.html

Silentmaxx Semi-Fanless 450W

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:55 pm

I've found this one: http://www.qtechnology.net/html/en/psu_ ... 07400f.htm .

Did not found any English review yet, I'm tired, going to bed, I've searched for a damn PSU the whole day LOLLL, I never had that much trouble choosing a PC components haha.

kentc · Post by **kentc** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:03 am

Mari0-Br0s wrote:I've read the SPCR review about the Nexus NX-9003. But LOL THIS ISN'T QUIET LOL. The fan is insane once it's turned on!!

i don't know that particular psu but maybe a little fanmod and an added resistor could remedy that?

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 1:34 am

Mari0-Br0s wrote:I've found this one: http://www.qtechnology.net/html/en/psu_ ... 07400f.htm .

Did not found any English review yet, I'm tired, going to bed, I've searched for a damn PSU the whole day LOLLL, I never had that much trouble choosing a PC components haha.

The efficiency of that unit is not great, 76%, Silverstone Element ST50EF+ is 80+ certified. Seriously, fanless PSU's are more trouble than they are worth and require extremely careful attention to airflow.

Tobias · Post by **Tobias** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:11 am

I'll whip out my kill-a-what when I'm finnished building my system tonight and tell you what to expect:) (checking my current system... the calculator recommends 208W PSU, although I've never seen more than 115W when meassured)

nici · Post by **nici** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:37 am

jaganath wrote:Seriously, fanless PSU's are more trouble than they are worth and require extremely careful attention to airflow.

For most people they are unneccesary, i agree. But when a quiet PSU becomes the most noisy part of a system, there is not much else one can do(easily). The NeoHE is not ramping up in idle, it probably ramps up at load when AC draw is 250W, but in idle(120W) its the only audible component in my system. At this point a passive PSU becomes a real alternative.

If you have more than one HDD and no damping in the case, a fanless PSU is not worth it.

EsaT · Post by **EsaT** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 5:39 am

Devonavar wrote: 288W? How, I only got 204W when I put your parts in. In any case, even 200W is an absurdly high estimate. You'll be fine with a 300W PSU, believe me.

Yep, 200W should overestimate even highest peak consumption.

Only component which can consume more is CPU, apparently there's three versions of A64 X2 3800+ with TDP going from 89W of normal version to 35W of small form factor energy efficient model.
http://www.overclockers.com.au/wiki/Inf ... Socket_AM2
With energy efficient models 150W should be enough for even highest peak consumption and considering case I would suggest going for energy efficient models.

Devonavar wrote:The one listed in this post is the best that I've seen, but it's far from 100% reliable.

Actually it is 100% reliable...
In marketing overshooting PSUs!

(it gives similar power consumption numbers for single 8800GTX PC what Anandtech got as peak consumption of 8800GTX SLI PC)

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 6:51 am

kentc wrote:
Mari0-Br0s wrote:I've read the SPCR review about the Nexus NX-9003. But LOL THIS ISN'T QUIET LOL. The fan is insane once it's turned on!!
i don't know that particular psu but maybe a little fanmod and an added resistor could remedy that?

Well I wouldn't mind modding it, but I don't have any idea how to do that

.

Mike Chin is qualifying this PSU has a "interresting failiure".

I known the fan is very noisy, I could start by replacing it with the YATE-LOON everyone is recommending aroung here. But then, I don't known much about electronics. So installing resistor or making welding isn't my dept.

The efficiency of that unit is not great, 76%, Silverstone Element ST50EF+ is 80+ certified. Seriously, fanless PSU's are more trouble than they are worth and require extremely careful attention to airflow.

Where have you seen this, could you give me the link to the review plz?

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:04 am

Where have you seen this, could you give me the link to the review plz?

80Plus hits retail: Silverstone's Element ST50EF

Mari0-Br0s · Post by **Mari0-Br0s** » Sat Nov 18, 2006 7:35 am

jaganath wrote:
Where have you seen this, could you give me the link to the review plz?
80Plus hits retail: Silverstone's Element ST50EF

lol actually I was talking about the QTechnology loll. Thanks for the link anyway, I'll read it.

EDIT: Is it me, or the Scythe STEALTH and the SilentMaxx Simi-Fanless are the exact same PSUs?