If anyone has experience with the Silverstone SFX 300watt PSU, can you please give me

[temp4]

some feedback?

How far can you push the power supply? my new build will push around 290watts. should I settle with a 300watt or not risk it and get the 450watt version?

thanks

 

[wangotango]

That one is made by FSP and is good quality. I would say your ok. However, the ugly Seasonic would be a better choice in my opinion. You get into trouble when you by a cheap one, like an Apex when your cutting it close.

 

[temp4]

my only option is a silverstone pretty much since it'll be an SFX power supply 🙁

 

[coffeejunkee]

Seasonic has SFX psu's too, but indeed, they're (kinda) ugly.

No personal experience, but I can imagine pushing an SFX psu to the max will get loud due to the small fan.

Also, list components please.

 

[temp4]

intel i5 2500k no OC
Asus P8H77-i mobo
8gb 1600mhz RAM (will probably be upgraded to 16)
PNY GTX 750 Ti 2gb
128GB Crucial M4 SSD
500GB Seagate Momentus 2.5" HD (5400rpm)
500GB Western Digital Blue 3.5" HD (7200rpm)

things that will be powered via USB:

Wireless G 150mbps adapter
logitech unifying receiver
bluetooth adapter
Line 6 POD Studio UX2 recording interface (has 48v phantom power for microphones)
maybe another recording interface (with phantom power)
midi controller keyboard (might come with an AC adapter)
an external 2.5" 5400rpm drive

that's it. very simple computer.

 

[coffeejunkee]

Yep nice and simple, but I don't think that will pull 290W. The pc itself I estimate somewhere around 125W gaming max.

Not sure about the audio stuff but I think it's very unlikely that will use 165W. But even then, under a realistic scenario you will never push all components to the max.

So, 300W is fine.

 

[temp4]

Yep nice and simple, but I don't think that will pull 290W. The pc itself I estimate somewhere around 125W gaming max.

Not sure about the audio stuff but I think it's very unlikely that will use 165W. But even then, under a realistic scenario you will never push all components to the max.

So, 300W is fine.

the recording interfaces are just external sound cards with with a microphone input and higher bitrate/depth. it's just like running an external Sound Blaster (or couple)

thanks for your input 🙂

 

[coffeejunkee]

Actually on further thought, usb ports can only provide little current like 10W max, so shouldn't be a problem at all.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'd always used online calculators like "OuterVision." As I went through the item checklist, I'd start adding stuff not configured initially, but "thought of" as possible upgrades -- like a second gfx card for SLI. Later, just as likely, I wouldn't buy that gfx card.

I don't think I've purchased a PSU rated at less than 500W since before 2004 . . . Except for an OCZ PowerStream, our other five PSUs are Seasonics rated at >= 650.

 

[temp4]

I'd always used online calculators like "OuterVision." As I went through the item checklist, I'd start adding stuff not configured initially, but "thought of" as possible upgrades -- like a second gfx card for SLI. Later, just as likely, I wouldn't buy that gfx card.

I don't think I've purchased a PSU rated at less than 500W since before 2004 . . . Except for an OCZ PowerStream, our other five PSUs are Seasonics rated at >= 650.

yeah that's where i got my "290watt" initial measurement. I guess I'll pick up a kill a watt to measure the actual use.

 

[coffeejunkee]

I have a 3570K (which uses a little less power than 2500K) and a 7790 (which uses a little more power than 750Ti) and during gaming my Voltcraft measures around 130W. That's why I'm sure 300W is plenty for your needs.

 

[temp4]

that's good to hear. I've actually already bought a used 450watt Silverstone SFX PSU before making this thread, but i wanted to see if i should resell it and get the 300watt version. the 300 watt isn't modular though 🙁

 

[dave_the_nerd]

My sig rig (3570k/660Ti) uses the 450w Silverstone, non-modular. Modular is, imo, a nice thing in a SFF rig.

Power use is 250w while gaming. I probably could have gotten away with a 300w PSU.

If you already have the 450w, which you'd probably sell at a loss to "save" money buying the 300w, I'd... meh. I'd keep/use the modular 450w.

 

[coffeejunkee]

If you already have the 450w, which you'd probably sell at a loss to "save" money buying the 300w, I'd... meh. I'd keep/use the modular 450w.

Yeah, stick with the one you have now. Modular is nice to have in itx case.