MicroATX PSU

Krez

Member
Aug 14, 2006
76
0
0
So, I just got an old shuttle PC and the power supply is dead. Got any recommendations? It needs to power:

AMD Barton 2500+ Socket A
6600GT AGP
80GB IDE HD
IDE DVD Writer
1GB ddr-400 (2x512)
and some fans

I was looking around newegg for microatx PSUs and the only ones they have either don't supply enough power or are very poorly made (*cough*athena power*cough*). Thanks for your help!

-Krez
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Determine exactly what you need.

If it is a mini Shuttle XPC computer, then you have to either buy a 1U PSU and try to make it fit, or buy a direct replacement. Newegg used to carry them, but no more.

If you need an SFX sized micro ATX PSU, then there are a couple decent ones on the market. FSP (Fortron), Sparkle (same company) and Enermax all make decent units from 270W to 350W. The best unit, however, is from Seasonic, the SS-350SFE. It is 80%+ efficient and sustains 26A on the +12v combined. The best from FSP/Sparkle can only do 22.5A on the +12v (both 300W and 350W models) with "up to" 80% efficiency. The best from Enermax (320W model) has 20A continuous and 24A peak on the +12v and is probably around 70-75% efficient. I know this because I have owned ALL of them! I no longer have the Sparkle 350W but still have the Enermax 320W and FSP 300W, and of course the Seasonic 350W is my latest SFX PSU purchase.

I was able to run a Core 2 Duo E8500 (stock clocked), one hard drive and a GTX 260 video card on the Seasonic... had to use two PCIe power adaptors. :D Fans spun up a bit more than usual, but otherwise it ran fine.

The Enermax struggled to run an 8800 GTS 320MB, with the fan spinning like a blowdryer.

I never stressed my FSP/Sparkle beyond a 7900GTO, and probably never will. Too many stories of them failing under stress.