7 replies to this topic

[Raife]

Afternoon all,

I have a PSU question.  I am assembling a basic HTPC for my basement and have the following components on order (not really looking for comments on the build):

 

1 x AMD A10-5800K Trinity 3.8GHz (4.2GHz Turbo) Socket FM2 100W Quad-Core Desktop APU (CPU + GPU) with DirectX 11 Graphic ...

1 x ASUS DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS Black SATA 24X DVD Burner - Bulk - OEM

1 x G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model F3-12800CL10S-8GBXL

1 x Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit - OEM

1 x Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1850 MC-Kit FM radio and MCE remote PCI-E x1

1 x MSI FM2-A85XA-G65 FM2 AMD A85X (Hudson D4) SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 HDMI ATX AMD Motherboard

1 x NZXT Source 210 S210-001 Black “Aluminum Brush / Plastic” ATX Mid Tower Computer Case

 

The computer will be in a closet in the basement, so sound is not really an issue.  What I am wondering is if I should buy a new PSU (thinking in the 550-650 range) or use my old PC Power & Cooling Turbo-cool 1200W (obviously overkill).  The turbocool ran in my office desktop unitl I replaced it with a Seasonic X-1250 this past March (got sick of the noise).  It was in my desktop (over 2 builds) for ~5 years.

 

Thoughts?

 

If I go new trying to keep the cost under $70.

[freddie]

If its in working order and you have no other use for it, I don't see why you shouldn't use it.

The thing has 7 yrs warranty if that counts for anything.

[WARDOZERX]

^^^^

What he said.

[ohldboy]

The only point is the "system" at 100% load is likely to draw less than 160 watts (HDDs not listed).

The PC P&C would be operating below 10% load (120 watts) most of the time. If efficency falls to 60% (could be less) an average load of 80 watts would draw about 150 watts.

An 85% efficient one would draw less than 100 watts.

Does this matter to you?

Seasonic 360G

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151117

Rosewill Capstone 450 (modular is $10 more)

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182066

PC P&C white case

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817703034

[boinker]

The system would do great with a 650 or 750 and have expandability. That way just add a gpu and go. The psu for any system no matter what it is should have a psu of good quality and be at least a few hundred watts over what it needs. Just keep that in mind and check the watt or current rating of the onboard gpu on the processor. I have my serious doubts that the system with the processor + a gpu core integrated would only have a tdp of 100 watts.

[WARDOZERX]

The inneficency still will not justify or outweigh the cost of a new PSU.

[Braegnok]

I would keep the turbo cool and save your money, inefficiency would not matter even running system 24/7, with a 1200W or 650W comparing at the wall usage, with a metered outlet you would save a few nickels per month with the larger power supply. 

Edited by Braegnok, 01 January 2013 - 07:52 AM.

[Raife]

Thanks everyone - I think at this point I will just use the PP&C and save the money.  In terms of efficiency - I would likely do better by remembering to turn off my lights more frequently

 

Thanks for everyone's reply's and Happy New Year.