What power supplies fit in the Aspire X-Qpack?

[Fraggable]

I'm building a gaming system for someone in the next week or 2, and I've decided to use the X-Qpack. I know the MicroFly is a little easier on space, but I almost have to order the parts from Newegg because I want to use my Preferred account there.

I'm planning on use a 8800GTS 320MB and a E6300, unless the 8600 Ultra comes out before I actually buy the parts. I don't think the 420W PSU it comes with is going to cut it for me. So what size PSUs actaully fit in there, along with a full size DVD+/- drive? Or, can you suggest a short DVD+/- drive to go with a full size PSU?

I'm hoping to hear from X-Qpack owners or anyone who has built a system in one.

Oh and one more question, would a 12" cold cathode light fit in the case running front to back?

 

[Zepper]

The PSU that comes with the X-Qpack and Chenming 118 are about 4.5" deep. Any standard ATX (aka PS/2) form factor PSU with a depth of 5.5" (which is the standard ATX depth) or less will fit. It is best if the wire bundle exits the back of the PSU as close to the top left as viewed from the front of the Qpack as possible - check the mounting points to be sure you are viewing it correctly. Some PSUs come with short cables for compact cases (the Silverstone PSUs with the SC suffix for one - ST50EF-PLUS SC) - of course, you can always mod the length of any PSU's wires. Some like modular for compact cases as you only use the pigtails you need, but the modular feature usually adds some to the depth measurement...
. And you will also want to use a short chassis buner (most are to one degree or another now) to ease the crunch as much as possible. The Samsung SH-S182 DVD burner is a bit under 6-3/4" long and I recall seeing a SATA version that would cut down on cable clutter too.
. I'll mention that there are PS/3 form factor PSUs out there which are the same as the PS/2 form factor but for the depth which is MUCH shorter. But I've never seen one of those of over 250W.

The X-QPack and Chenming 118 (the same case) are 14" long. So by measurements alone you are using 12-1/4" of the space for drive and PSU leaving about 1-3/4" clearance - tight but not too.

.bh.

 

[Fraggable]

Very helpful, thanks. I'm really hoping the 8600 Ultra comes out soon and requires less power, just maybe the 420W would be enough. I can't find any details on how many Amps the 12V rails have, or even if it's a dual-rail PSU. Anyone know about this?

 

[Zepper]

There are many reviews on the X-QPack on the web - I'm sure many show the PSU label or describe the PSU fully. And the PSU specs are fully given on Apevia's product page for the Qpack.

.bh.

 

[crossrode]

I have the Ultra X Infinity 500 watt SLI ready PSU installed in my XQpack. It's a tight fit, but works. The PSU that cones with the X Qpack is reported to have problems. Mine worked fine, but I wanted a stronger PSU for the system I built.

I have the silver version of this PSU.

PSU


Pentium D 805 Smithfield @3.4
ASUS VM micro board 945g chipset
OCZ PC5400 Gold 2 GB (4 x 512) at 700mhz.
ATI x800GTO 256mb DDR3 400/1000mhz
Seagate 250GB SATA 3.0/16mb w/hd coooler
X-Infinity 500 watt atx PSU (fits, but barely)
Sony DVD
Pioneer DVD-RW (fits fine)
Coolermaster copper HS/F
Internal Floppy
Antec artic blower rear case fan
Antec video card fan

I have a lot of stuff in this little case. I did have my ATI x1800 in there! That was a tight fit.

Edit for pic link:

My XQPACK

 

[Fraggable]

Looks like it's 14 and 16A on the 12V rails... Not enough to be reliable for a 8800GTS I don't think.

I've read that the 8800GTS does fit in the Qpack, I assumed it would be tight. The thing barely fits in my P180.

 

[crossrode]

I oroginally had an EVGA 7800GT in there. Then my ATI 1800xt (large card that barely fit. Any high profile video card may have problems clearing in the XQpack.) Now I have noved the computer to the front desk. I installed an ATI x800GTO. I get a bit of distortion when I run up the PCI Epress frequency in BIOS on the x800GTO. I don't know how TALL the 8800 is, but the height is where you may posibly have a problem.