• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

PSU For A 6-HDD File Server?

ViRGE

ViRGE

Elite Member, Moderator Emeritus
I'm going to be doing a rebuild of my file server in the next week or so (moving to Windows Server 2012 Essentials), and since the entire existing kit is being given away, I'm in the market for a new PSU. So I wanted to ping the PSU gurus here and try to figure out what my best option would be in terms of size and reliability.

CPU: Core i3 3220
Mobo: Asus P8B75 mATX
HDDs: 6x 5400 RPM (mostly WD Greens & Reds)
SSD: SandForce 1x
Etc: Couple of case fans, PCIe SATA card

A back of the envelope calculation says I shouldn't need anything over 300W. But with this many hard drives I'm a bit worried about the spin-up load for those rare times that it actually has to be fully power-cycled.

Beyond that, my second biggest concern is just finding something that is going to reliably run 24/7 for years on end. The server won't be running at a high load since it will spend the bulk of its time idling, but it will be running none the less.

Thoughts or suggestions on the matter would be appreciated.🙂
 
any 80+ psu of a quality brand over 300w.

Personally im going with Corsair CX 420 for my freenas box as I need modular(htpc case not a lot of room)
 
It will be something less than 50W with them all spinning up and at the same time your graphics card and CPU won't be running very hard then.

I just measured my boot wattage and it got as high as bout 20W above idle and I have 4 HDD and 1 SSD. That is less than 5 watts per drive and I am sure some of that boot power is from other things spinning up (cpu, some of 10 fans ramping at higher than normal speed etc.).
 
Last edited:
WD spec sheet for 3TB Red
It claims 1.73A +12v peak, which makes it 20.76W. I would think this number is theoretical, as the normal "load" draw is merely 4.4W.

As an aside, interesting that WD claims the 1TB to be faster than the larger ones.

So, even if you want to go with peak to cover all contingencies, that would be 124.56W for all six drives.

I'd say 300W would still be more than enough.
 
300w should be more than enough, I use to run 10 - 10k scsi drives on a 350w cheap o psu and had no problems, these newer drives are definitely greener than before
 
Anything you've got kicking around should do the job. I've got 5 HDDs in my HTPC (4 in RAID-5) on an old Antec EarthWatts. Drives are only 5-7 watts each, and most generally do a "staggered" spin up these days so even their spin up draw is not that high.
 
I ended up going with the Corsair CX 430. It's been working great so far. I just wish it wasn't so hard to use when it's top-mounted (since the SATA power plugs are upside-down).

On a side note, I'm surprised by just how little power is used while this server is active. 66W, and that's with all the drives actively reading/writing.
 
ViRGE said:
On a side note, I'm surprised by just how little power is used
Click to expand...

I've been trying to educate people here on how little "real" power is needed in a modern efficient computer, but it's been an uphill battle.
 
Zap said:
I've been trying to educate people here on how little "real" power is needed in a modern efficient computer, but it's been an uphill battle.
Click to expand...

Are you saying that buying a 750W for my dual core Athlon was over kill?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top