PicoPSU is it enough for me?

PSUs: The source of DC power for all components in the PC & often a big noise source.

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yaler
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada

PicoPSU is it enough for me?

Post by yaler » Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:40 am

AMD 45w BE-2350
Nvidia 430 w/ onboard Nvidia 6150 graphics
2 x 1GB DDR 667
wireless card
3" 7200rpm drive

With my Corsair VX450W power supply I measured my draw at the wall to be between 50-90W, but I assume at a pretty low efficiency of 60-75%.

The computer will be used to output 720p video.

Should I get the 102W kit to be safe (it has a fan! Who knows when it kicks in?) or should I get the 80W kit and be completely silent and awesome?

How do you plug in the 4-pin board connector with such a tiny cord? Did you buy an extension?

What are your experiences with the PicoPSU!?

Thanks!

eit412
Patron of SPCR
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Location: Texas

Post by eit412 » Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:00 pm

The efficiency of the corsair vx450w was measured at around 80% for your max load. I got hte efficiency from the SPCR review. You would have a little over 70W dc power draw for the 90W that you measured. was that measurement during a stress test? If it was you might be able to get by with an 80W brick if you can find one, but a 60W brick might be low.

yaler
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada

Post by yaler » Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:07 pm

The 90W measurement was just playing Counter Strike Source as far as I remember. Nothing super accurate I guess. I should probably get around to getting harder numbers if I want to cut it that close. Thanks for the response!

Eunos
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Post by Eunos » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:32 pm

If you're talking about the 120 watt EDAC brick, the fan kicks in almost immediately. To put it politely, it will render all other sounds in your PC 'silent'. :( Not recommended for even a second. There are better options out there.

If you can get by with the 80w system I recommend it. Sometimes underclocking and such is necessary to achieve that.

qviri
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Re: PicoPSU is it enough for me?

Post by qviri » Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:39 pm

yaler wrote:Should I get the 102W kit to be safe (it has a fan! Who knows when it kicks in?)
Assuming mini-box is still shipping the same brick (specs match, but who knows), the fan kicks in around 80-90 W according to the SPCR review.

yaler
Posts: 57
Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Toronto, Canada

Post by yaler » Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:31 pm

Just came back to check this out, thanks guys. I got the Nexus Value 430W, but I'll probably underclock and make a silent build later on with the 80W.

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