Best PSU for a moderately-sized HTPC

[Tama-Chan]

Hi all,

I'm trying to figure out which PSU I should put in my HTPC. After running some calculations, I'm never ever going to need more than 300W (and should be needing considerably less the vast majority of the time). My main concerns are efficiency and quiet (although I do not necessarily want a fanless PSU)

The following seem to fit:
- some of the Corsair PSUs (Corsair CP-9020058-UK CXM Builder series 430W PSU, &#8230
- Silverstone Strider SST-ST40F-ES 400W PSU
- Enermax ENP350AGT NAXN 350W PSU
- Seasonic SS300-ET
- beQuiet line (be quiet! BN180 Pure Power L8 430W, Be Quiet Pure Power L7 300W)

Initially, I was thinking of going with a Corsair PSU, but the beQuiet line seems to have an impressive efficiency (>= 80%) over the 10% - 90% load and a very good noise profile. Does anyone have some feedback on this?


Also, I'm thinking of going semi-modular (I can't find good low-wattage fully modular PSUs) - I think it will help with power management, especially in a tight case. Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[aarontpx]

SeaSonic platinum series 400 watt. Full modular. Fanless. Problem solved.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151097

or semi-modular 450 watt gold rated;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151124

or 350 watt full modular gold rated;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151115

I did not research other brands, up to you.

 

[Charlie98]

I have a Corsair CX430 in my HTPC... with the lower watt PSU's there aren't that many cables that would normally be idle, hence, no real reason to go modular. I always thought that CX430M was kind of odd... but I can see where it might be needed in a tight conventional HTPC or ITX case.

 

[lehtv]

What case are you planning to use?

 

[Tama-Chan]

What case are you planning to use?

I am planning to use a Silverstone GD05B (I am also considering a Lian-Li PC-C60B as an alternative, although there is a big price difference).

 

[Tama-Chan]

I have a Corsair CX430 in my HTPC... with the lower watt PSU's there aren't that many cables that would normally be idle, hence, no real reason to go modular. I always thought that CX430M was kind of odd... but I can see where it might be needed in a tight conventional HTPC or ITX case.

Gotcha - well, I was planning to use a Silverstone GD05B, so I was a bit concerned about cable space (with an ODD and a tuner card, it looks like it might get cramped).

With a Lian-Li PC-C60B, it would be much less of an issue, I suppose.

 

[Tama-Chan]

SeaSonic platinum series 400 watt. Full modular. Fanless. Problem solved.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151097

or semi-modular 450 watt gold rated;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817151124

or 350 watt full modular gold rated;
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151115

I did not research other brands, up to you.

So this is interesting - I read lots of good things about Seasonic, especially the SS-400FL2 (the fanless one).

However, they do mention that fanless PSUs can bring their share of issues with respect to temperature management and airflow; namely (and ironically), using a fanless PSU can necessitate adding another case fan to prevent the PSU and the rest of the system. Is it something you have encountered? With the Silverstone GD05B or the Lian-Li PC-C60B (both of which have several case fans), do you think that's going to be an issue?

If that matters, my CPU is going to be an AMD A10-5700, there will be no discrete GPU, and I'll probably use a Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile or a Scythe Big Shuriken 2 as my heatsink.

Since the HTPC is going to be used mostly for DVD / Blu-ray (physical disc and rip) and streaming, and only occasional gaming, I expect the system to be under a light load most of the time (but I don't want it to fry when I play).

 

[Charlie98]

The most taxing task I do on my desktop is rip DVD's... and that heat has to go somewhere. I don't think a fanless PSU in a tight HTPC case that will be used to rip video is such a hot idea.

 

[aarontpx]

I would not be concerned about the heat, especially if you have a case with decent airflow. If you are just get one with a fan. Also top versus bottom mount ps will be something to consider as well. I just linked those to show there are modular and semi modular high quality power supplies at relatively low wattage to be had. Do your research

 

[Tama-Chan]

I would not be concerned about the heat, especially if you have a case with decent airflow. If you are just get one with a fan. Also top versus bottom mount ps will be something to consider as well. I just linked those to show there are modular and semi modular high quality power supplies at relatively low wattage to be had. Do your research

Oh, I've done some research sunk more hours into it than I thought I would, but it's like the rabbit hole in Alice in Wonderland - the more you research it, the more options you find, and it's hard to make sense of all of it.

I was hoping that there would be someone who had experience with several of those brands, and who would therefore be able to objectively judge the merits of different brands...

You mention top vs bottom mounting PSUs - practically, what does it matter?

Thanks!

 

[Maximilian]

So this is interesting - I read lots of good things about Seasonic, especially the SS-400FL2 (the fanless one).

However, they do mention that fanless PSUs can bring their share of issues with respect to temperature management and airflow; namely (and ironically), using a fanless PSU can necessitate adding another case fan to prevent the PSU and the rest of the system. Is it something you have encountered? With the Silverstone GD05B or the Lian-Li PC-C60B (both of which have several case fans), do you think that's going to be an issue?

If that matters, my CPU is going to be an AMD A10-5700, there will be no discrete GPU, and I'll probably use a Noctua NH-L12 Low Profile or a Scythe Big Shuriken 2 as my heatsink.

Since the HTPC is going to be used mostly for DVD / Blu-ray (physical disc and rip) and streaming, and only occasional gaming, I expect the system to be under a light load most of the time (but I don't want it to fry when I play).

Ive been using the seasonic fanless PSU for nearly a year now in my HTPC/Server, no issues whatsoever, even in a hot (30*C) room in summer.

I have the first revision which is gold efficiency, great PSU, i even used it to power my main rig for a bit whilst i was waiting on another PSU being delivered and it handed that task fine.

 

[aarontpx]

You mention top vs bottom mounting PSUs - practically, what does it matter?

A lot of cases have a bottom mounted ps with a separate air intake on the bottom of the case, so most of the heat generated by the ps is immediately exhausted out of the case. Without this benefit you might be looking at increased case temps...how much more I cannot say. Just something to think about.

Ive been using the seasonic fanless PSU for nearly a year now in my HTPC/Server, no issues whatsoever, even in a hot (30*C) room in summer.

^^

 

[docp]

I have a Corsair CX430 in my HTPC... with the lower watt PSU's there aren't that many cables that would normally be idle, hence, no real reason to go modular. I always thought that CX430M was kind of odd... but I can see where it might be needed in a tight conventional HTPC or ITX case.

I have this cx430 supply and only issue i have ran into is less no.of sata connector.
Only 4 ports of sata variety

So not happy with this.
I landed up on this in rma of cx400 which had 6 sata connectors.

 

[Charlie98]

I have this cx430 supply and only issue i have ran into is less no.of sata connector.
Only 4 ports of sata variety
.

Yes, initially I needed 5 SATA power connectors, so I just got a splitter cable...

 

[nightspydk]

Well the problem with splitters isn't totally as I would expect. It is logic that a splitter of poor quality won't just split the source in 2 but maybe even split the source in 2 with less or poor conducting capability. So you got this splitter and it's probably no problem. The big problem with these things are that you have a source of energy and you split it. Fine but if the electrons cannot pass you got resistance. See tah's where it gets a bit complicated. Maybe it's just not a good idea to split the source like you are dividing cupcakes. This is chemistry and maybe read up on that. I just know what I have learned.

Fast post.

//It's a very long story

edit
Just trying to say in a poor way, that the more splitters the more resistance. I think that is fair to say. It's wellknown that splitters are not recommended as a first solution. Then there is cable thickness and length and whatnot to consider as well.
The post was meant as an elaboration on a former post of mine.

 

[Zap]

- Seasonic SS300-ET

I'd get this one, or the SS-300ES if you want to use the PSU to help case ventilation. Even with an 80mm fan it should be fairly quiet.