SFX power supply

[jonpaul03]

Hey, I'm fixing a very old computer for a friend. This computer has a SFX form factor power supply. My question is this, would a mini-atx power supply work with this computer?

 

[jonnyGURU]

Originally posted by: jonpaul03
Hey, I'm fixing a very old computer for a friend. This computer has a SFX form factor power supply. My question is this, would a mini-atx power supply work with this computer?

They're typically the same thing.

 

[jonpaul03]

thats what i figured, thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Zap]

jonpaul03, welcome to the forums.

You should be careful shopping for these as there are many labeled as "micro ATX" which may not fit. For instance here are three PSUs labeled "micro ATX" but only one of them is an SFX (and it isn't even labeled):

FSP Group FSP200-60SPV MicroATX
This one is sometimes known as "PS3" (for personal computer 3, not the console). It is like a normal ATX power supply but much shorter.

FSP Group FSP180-51NIV 180W MicroATX
This is for slimline cases.

FSP Group FSP180-50NIV 180W MicroATX
This one is the only SFX out of the three, but it doesn't even mention that fact.

It just comes down to the retailers (and even manufacturers) sometimes not labeling them clearly.

EDIT: Here's a cheap but really good unit - http://www.mwave.com/mwave/vie....hmx?scriteria=RB19798
$15 for an Enermax SFX unit with 16A on +12v. I actually had this exact one, bought it almost 4 years ago. It is still working to this day (sold it 6 months ago but guy is still using it). For most of the time it was powering an X800 series video card.

 

[Jhhnn]

As Zap points out, there are several variations in sff supplies- this one is also true sfx, with the airflow 90 degrees from the true sfx fsp model listed above...

http://www.power-on.com/microatxss200anv.html

So, measure carefully, be sure that whatever you buy is what you need, and that it'll clear the mobo and all the internal components. Some tight fitting sfx cases need a unit like this-

http://www.power-on.com/microatx270snv.html

Nice price on that Enermax refurb, if it'll fit...

Edit- Didn't open all of Zap's links- the one I listed first, above, is the same ff as one he listed, but I'm sure you get the idea... there are lots of other small psu shapes & sizes, too, of which the Power-on guys list several...