Trouble choosing Power Supply

florin

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Oct 1, 2010
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Hello everyone,

I would like to build a system, and the goal is to build it as silent as I can and as small as I can while it should still be able to play games at a decent speed and quality (high to medium settings for Far Cry 3 as an example). My initial build is the following:

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/9Zmkbv

It also includes the Cooler Master 352 as a case, but that does not exist on the site.

As you see there I have as a power supply the Seasonic M12II-520 EVO Edition Bronze 520W (SASS520GM2). After a while I noticed that pcpartpicker says the max power consumption for the components I chose was 360W or about there and thought that something akin to Seasonic Platinum Fanless 400W (SASS400FL2) or Seasonic G Series 450W (G-450 (SSR-450RM)) would be better: less power consumption, less noise, less heat.

I must mention that I don't intend to overclock any of the components or get a second GPU.

The question: Do you think I would have any trouble if I'd get one of the smaller options? Would the 400w PS be enough to sustain the system?

Any suggestions would be welcome but the budget must be around $1000-$1100.
 
Solution
If you were to run a lower wattage psu it would be running near its potential .

Imagine driving your car at top speed all the time. Will it last as long? Will it be more likely to fail ?

The 520 watt option is a good one . The psu will be cool and quiet at 50 -60% load and it will last
If you were to run a lower wattage psu it would be running near its potential .

Imagine driving your car at top speed all the time. Will it last as long? Will it be more likely to fail ?

The 520 watt option is a good one . The psu will be cool and quiet at 50 -60% load and it will last
 
Solution

florin

Distinguished
Oct 1, 2010
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18,510
Unfortunately the XFX is not available in my country (any of them) ordering it from outside would imply some hefty delivery fees.

But i do get the message, something a bit larger, so it doesn't stay at full or near full capacity at all times.
 

Skylyne

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Sep 7, 2014
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Power supplies are designed to be run hard, but not to their peak output. If you have plans on adding another GPU, then I would look at something closer to the 650w range. If you're sticking with where you're currently at, get something between 450-550w. If a 550w is going to be the cheapest option, then go for it; otherwise, there's no need to spend extra to go up to 550w; at least, not from what I've seen.

*edited