Why so hard to find quiet mATX/SFX PSUs?

[tbessie]

Hi all...

Since putting together (and still working on) my HTPC, I've found the ATX power supply I'm using is just taking up too much space in the case. It's a modular supply, and the modular side of it is wedged up right against my DVD drive, so it's not very easy to work with, and I'm worried it's putting some of the cables under too much stress.

I've looked around, and the only recommended, quietish PSU I've seen talked about here and elsewhere were these Seasonic models:

http://www.seasonic.com/product/pc_sfx.jsp

Why do there seem to be so few recommended mATX/SFX PSUs on the market? And can anyone recommend one at this power range (350W) that's quiet and good for an HTPC?

- Tim

[xan_user]

I think since they can't fit a slower turning 120mm fan in side the psu, the noise of the smaller psu are not really quiet enogh for spcr.
You didn't post system specs, but if your system is low power enough get a pico or other dc/dc power supply with external brick.

There's a 200 watt model but its not as small a s pico....
http://www.mini-box.com/PW-200M-DC-DC-p ... ategory=13

[tbessie]

I think since they can't fit a slower turning 120mm fan in side the psu, the noise of the smaller psu are not really quiet enogh for spcr.
You didn't post system specs, but if your system is low power enough get a pico or other dc/dc power supply with external brick.

There's a 200 watt model but its not as small a s pico....
http://www.mini-box.com/PW-200M-DC-DC-p ... ategory=13

Makes sense... specs are Asus P5E-VM HDMI motherboard, 1 2.5 hard drive, 1 3.5 hard drive, 1 LG multi-player optical drive, 4gb memory, will add ATI 3450 video card soon.

- Tim

[FlorisNielssen]

But a Antec NeoHE PSU is a quiet PSU and has a 80mm fan.

I think the problem is there aren't enough people who need a mATX/SFX power supply. Almost everybody uses an ATX-sized PSU. They are mainstream.