is 270w enough?

[DietDrThunder]

I'm building a new system but want the size to be as small as possible. I haven't built a system in 9 years so this question may sound stupid. Will 270W be enough for the following components:

hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC 7K09 Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case with 270W FLEX Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811121027

AMD Phenom II X4 945 Deneb 3.0GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Desktop Processor
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103809

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128397

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL9D-4GBNQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820231193

Western Digital VelociRaptor WD1500HLFS 150GB 10000 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822136296

LITE-ON Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD Writer LightScribe Support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106335

If 270W isn't enough, can you guys tell me what I need? And will what you suggest fit in the case I have listed above?

Thanks

 

[ShawnD1]

270 is lots. It will only be a problem if you add a high power video card.

 

[DietDrThunder]

I probably will add a video card, but not right away. If I add a medium performance (not top of the line) video card in the future, will I need more wattage?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Do you really need a raptor/VR in a HTPC? They are loud, power-hungry, and hot. All attributes that go against what a HTPC is. In fact, I am willing to believe that you will hear the HD over your media playing back. That HD is loud.

Use a 5400 RPM drive, quieter, cooler, and use far less power.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Oh, this isn't a HTPC. This is going to be my desktop PC. The noise won't be a factor because it is going on a self above my printer in a huge desk. I'm just going with this small case so I can fit a 25" monitor on my desk instead of the 19", and to get rid of the ATX mid-tower case that sits on my desk right now. Why go large if you don't need to.

 

[TemjinGold]

Err... if you just want more desk space, why not put the tower on the floor?

 

[DietDrThunder]

Err... if you just want more desk space, why not put the tower on the floor?

I've tried but I couldn't find monitor cords long enough to reach. The desk is an old massive roll top that is 6 ft wide, 4 ft deep, and 5 ft tall. Plus it has a 6 ft wide by 2 ft tall by 1 1/2 ft deep cabinet that sits on top (7 ft total height). It is an antique that my wife inherited, so it stays. The printer sits in a huge filing cabinet drawer, but the drawer isn't tall enough for a ATX mid-tower. I've tried putting the mid-tower in the area where the chair slides in, but it is always in the way of my legs. So this is why I want a small case.

 

[TemjinGold]

I've tried but I couldn't find monitor cords long enough to reach. The desk is an old massive roll top that is 6 ft wide, 4 ft deep, and 5 ft tall. Plus it has a 6 ft wide by 2 ft tall by 1 1/2 ft deep cabinet that sits on top (7 ft total height). It is an antique that my wife inherited, so it stays. The printer sits in a huge filing cabinet drawer, but the drawer isn't tall enough for a ATX mid-tower. I've tried putting the mid-tower in the area where the chair slides in, but it is always in the way of my legs. So this is why I want a small case.

I assume you use DVI?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209

 

[SparkyJJO]

Use a 7200 RPM drive, quieter, cooler, and use far less power.

Fixed. 5400RPM is too slow to be worth anything. And most 7200RPM drives are really quiet anymore.

As far as 270W goes, yeah you could do that with that hardware... but I wouldn't plan on much of a video card upgrade. Especially since that PSU is of unknown grade/quality.

 

[Stefan Payne]

If 270W isn't enough, can you guys tell me what I need? And will what you suggest fit in the case I have listed above?

If it's on the +12V Rail, it is.
Otherwise it's not.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Fixed. 5400RPM is too slow to be worth anything. And most 7200RPM drives are really quiet anymore.

As far as 270W goes, yeah you could do that with that hardware... but I wouldn't plan on much of a video card upgrade. Especially since that PSU is of unknown grade/quality.

Do you have a suggestion for a small case with a good power supply?

I assume you use DVI?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10209

Thanks for the link, 5 years ago when I upgraded my system they didn't have cords that long.

 

[TemjinGold]

As far as a small case goes, I'm partial to the Antec P180 Mini. You'll need to get your own PSU for it but it takes standard size PSUs.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

I would not recommend that crappy power supply.

Here is a case that works well for me. I use it for my HTPC but it should work well for your use.
SILVERSTONE Black GD05B micro-ATX
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163166

For smaller cases, like the GD05B, I recommend a modular power supply but it's not a requirement.
Modular - $79.99 - $20 rebate = $59.99
ENERMAX Liberty ELT400AWT-ECO 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817194042

Regular - $54.99 - $15 rebate = $39.99
CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817139008

 

[Meghan54]

I'd be very wary of that HEC power supply for a few reasons.

HEC, at least in the U.S., doesn't exactly have the best reputation for quality in power supplies. Just look at HEC's "1080W" power supply. Advertised as a 1Kw power supply, but when investigated, HEC admits---in its fine print---the 1Kw rating is peak only and really is only an 800W power supply, and still weak on the +12V rail compared to other competitive 800W power supplies.

The ps in that case is a very old design, demonstrated by the voltage selector on its rear. That means it's more than likely a group regulated design (not necessarily bad, but with HEC, it is) and does not have any sort of PFC circuitry.


And I'm in the same dilemma as you with the desk. While mine's not a rolltop desk, I've got a walnut office desk that's approx. the same size as yours with a hutch on top. My solution was to buy a pair of 30" pedestals, made for setting a table top on them, and a 12" x 24" sheet of tempered glass, which sits on top of them. I've got a Silverstone TJ07 full tower case sitting on this, which also has a full watercooling setup inside, bringing the case's weight to well over 50# with everything installed. I positioned this alongside the desk and works well.

 

[DietDrThunder]

Thanks for the advice guys. This is the type of feedback I was looking for.