200-250W 80+ mAXT PSU ?

[truckid]

Hi,

I've been away for a while and now am back home and about to order my PC (hopefully today).

It follows from this thread,
viewtopic.php?t=57855&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0


It will be an always-on file server and an occasional desktop, the parts are as follows ;

MB Gigabyte H55M-UD2H
CPU Intel Core i3 530
CASE Coolermaster Elite 341
HDD Samsung 1.5TB F3 Eco HDD
DVD Samsung DVRW 16x IDE
RAM 2x2GB DDR3

I plan to add addition 'green' HDDs as and when required, probably upto a max of 3/4. Maybe later on, a PCI card for SATA3 and USB3.

Currently with 1 HDD, I expect it to idle no more than 40-50W, obviously more with additional HDD. I appreciate that on spin-up each drive requires around 20W, plus I would like some headroom.

I'm looking for a suitable PSU which does not require any modding, just slots right into a mATX case. The ones easily available to me are

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/330W-Sea ... -120mm-Fan

or

http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/300W-FSP ... P300-60GLS


However I would have thought these PSUs are 'overkill' and a PSU between 200-250W would be more appropriate ? Would there be a significant difference ? I've had a look on ebay and it seems nigh on impossibe to find a 200-250W mATX PSU

Of the two above, I know the 300w would be better, but I'm more inclined towards the Seasonic because of the brand and it is newer

Thanks

[MtnHermit]

MB Gigabyte H55M-UD2H
CPU Intel Core i3 530

Unless you need the many video output options of the Gigabyte MB, it is not the best option for a low power always on PC. Undervolting/underclocking do nothing with the i3-530.

Suggest you consider the Intel or MSI H55 MB's, many reviews to read.

As to your PSU question, a 200W 80+ does NOT exist, unless you're willing to mod the Dell R112, a major soldering project.

Cheers

[truckid]

In my previous post, I have found serious issues for the MSI, i.e. it can not wake from S3 Sleep. There still isn't a firmware fix, and I can't be bothered to wait for one.

http://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic ... msg1019084

I did consider the Intel DH55TC, but the Gigabyte has more features which I would make use of, such as eSATA and Displayport. It also has 2oz copper/solid capacitors, dual BIOS etc.

Without modding, it looks like a straight choice between the FSP 300W or Seasonic 330W..

[Alexander01]

I think that S3 bug has something to do with G.Skill memory. All people in that thread were using G.Skill memory. If it was such a big bug there should be alot more people in that thread.