Installing a second PSU internally?

[sman789]

my 2.4C, ic7, dual channel ddr400 and 9600 pro are too much for my 350w psu to run with lights and fans. It would reset on its own when booting up. So i connected (externally) a separate psu, 250w, to my light, 3 fans, HDD, DVD, CDRW, FDD.

It works great but i'd like to screw that second one inside the case.

pic of inside the case
and the board

i want to mount the second psu vertically where the two exhaust fans are....is that okay, i could take off the psu top or better drill air holes for the heat coming from the chipset and cpu fans so they can exit via the psu fan

 

[amcdonald]

Its possible to do this, but from the looks of your case you will effectively trap the air around the cpu.
I would just mount it externally. If you only have a few cards you could mount it onto the slot portion of the back.

 

[cheapgoose]

that sounds good to me, just move the 2 exhaust fans to the top of the case, it's pretty easy with a hole or jig saw.

 

[sman789]

i already have a side exhaust fan and a slot for one at the top

may just get a more powerful 80mm fan to go in that second psu

 

[render]

just buy a 550w ps

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: render
just buy a 550w ps

overkill, 400W should do it or even a 380W True power

 

[sman789]

poor man's solution

 

[0roo0roo]

so your gonna turn it off and on using a psu tester?

 

[sman789]

its an older AT PSU and it has its own switch

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: sman789
poor man's solution

Sell both power supplies that you already have and give this a shot. It is probably a good idea to invest wisely in a power supply though, because a good one like an Antec Truepower 430 should last you a good long time. I've also heard that PC Power and Cooling PSU's are even better, but they are also considerably more expensive. With these PSU's you get something that generic PSU companies don't offer - a good warranty.

 

[sman789]

is that Achieve company a good one?
I prolly will get a new power supply but i just have to wait a while to get one.

 

[Jeff7]

I've personally not heard of them. Plus, I would advise to get a quality PSU. Ok, I did have an Antec Truepower 430W - and it did fail. HOWEVER, I probably just got a bad unit. The good thing: when some cheap PSU's die, they send power surges throughout the system, killing other parts. The Antec PSU - something popped inside of it, the internal fans stopped spinning, but it still worked! The rest of the system was unaffected. I got it replaced under warranty - fairly simple too. I would still recommend their power supplies - they were very good about replacing it, and the PSU itself puts out good stable power. Keep an eye on the FS/T forum for the Truepower 430, or the Hot Deals forum if you want to stick only with new parts.

 

[piasabird]

If all you want to power is some 12 volt lights and fans why not a simple AC-DC Converter from radio shack and one of those round power connectors on the back of the case like some printers use. That way all the extra junk is on a separate power circuit. If you put a second power supply on a case you will need a special case designed for 2 power supplies with the extra hole and mounting bracket or have to cut up the case. That hot air has to blow out and an atx power supply has to have a load on the 20 pin ATX switch power plug.

 

[EeyoreX]

I have seen several mods for adding a seconf PSU to a case. So you don't need a "special case" other than the fact you mod your case, and that makes it "special". Also, since he plans on using an old AT PSU the switch is not a problem, as the PSU has a switch that does not need to be connected to the motherboard to get power (though you could wire trick your ATX PSU as well).

Personally, I'd rather just get a higher wattage, quality PSU. I also had an Antec go out on me, I connected the ground wires incorrectly after trying to sleeve the cables. Killed the PSU. Something popped, it stopped working, and took nothing with it. Too bad I had to trash a TruePower 430, but such is the price one pays for screwing up a mod. I am just pleased it didn't take any other hardware with it.

\Dan

 

[SpideyCU]

I've actually done this before. I had a 300W supply, and an old 250W AT PSU that I haven't ever had a use for, so I put the AT one into my case. However, two things that must be noted.

First off, my case was a full-tower and there was room for the second PSU above the first one, so I didn't have the cramping issues you do.

Secondly, even with a bigger case, it got significantly hotter inside. Keep that in mind. I understand why you'd want the second PSU internal, it's much neater, but it *will* get somewhat toastier inside, heh. Nothing drastic, but noticable.

It should be noted that, in the end, I got a halfway decent 500W supply and simply left it at that. But I certainly understand your motivation.

 

[chocoruacal]

2 power supplies is ghetto (but then so are neon lights). Just buy a bigger PS.

 

[Crucial]

Originally posted by: chocoruacal
2 power supplies is ghetto (but then so are neon lights). Just buy a bigger PS.

Opinions are like a**holes everyones got one.

 

[sman789]

^^neons are cool as long as they're not on ur car