Power Supply.

[ezkim0x]

i'm making a large file server.. to start out i won't have 7hdds, but eventually i will.. i'm wondering how many watts for my power supply i'll need when i get this far.. would it be a 500watt power supply? also where do you suggest buying one at? i know brand name would probably be best.

 

[Lonyo]

I would go for a high wattage Enermax.
They have strong 12v lines, and HDD's use 12v and 5v lines, while most others (even other brand names) have weaker 12v lines, from what I have seen.
If you're going for 7 HDD's you may also want some fans, which will be more 12v drain, although not a huge amount.
Maybe a 500w Enermax PSU would do you.

 

[ezkim0x]

http://thermaltake.com/xaserCase/tsunami/swa/swa.htm

i'm probably going to be getting that case.

High Efficient ventilation: Dual 12cm silent fan in front & rear, 9cm fan on side panel

would that be enough fans, or do i need more once i get up to 7hdds?

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

http://www.pcpowerandcooling.c...hperformance/index.htm

Highend power but expensive

 

[Ender17]

Originally posted by: michaelpatrick33
http://www.pcpowerandcooling.c...hperformance/index.htm

Highend power but expensive

Very nice

 

[Anubis]

the PCP&C is nice but costs way to much

id go with the Antec true Controll 550 very nice PSU For lots of HDDs i had mine running 10 at one point

if you dont think it has enough power on the 12v rail then the Antec Neopower 480 with dual 12v rails would be fine as well

 

[Lonyo]

This isn't too bad either. 35A on all rails, according to Enermax, and $90.

 

[tart666]

last time i looked at the spec, my HD required 40W. I've been using that for a ballpark

 

[RussianSensation]

Test Profile For Power Supplies - Power Consumption Of A High-Power PC

PC Components_____________+3.3 Volt_______+5.0 Volt_______+12.0 Volt____Number of units
IDE Hard Drive (RAID group)__________________0.80 A__________2.00 A________4

So 4 harddrives "need" 112 Watts, or roughly 28Watts a piece (5.0*0.80*4 + 12.0*2*4)

=> 7 hard drives x 28 = 196 watts.

Need 0.80A*7 = 5.6A on 5.0V rail + 2.00A*7 = 14A

Thus, need 28Watts on 5.0V rail + 168Watts on 12V rail

=> more stress on 12V rail. Want a power supply that has a strong 12V rail.

My suggestion:

OCZ 420/470/520 => least one has 30A on 12V rail or 360Watts.