Good small sized PSU

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

I'm looking for a psu that has a small form factor. My budget is $60 max for this part. I have a 300 watt psu but I think its too big for my case(old tivo). I only need 200 watts as this will only run a micro atx motherboard pentium g3258, onboard graphics(may use graphics card but nothing power heavy), a pci or usb tv tuner and 2 hdds. I was looking at this but its a little expensuve and not the best reviews. The psu needs to have at least 2 sata power connectors. The pc also will be used as a dvr so it probaly will run 24/7.

DonkeyOatie · Dec 11, 2015

How about this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817256097&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

I use a 450W version one of out school PCs..

bliq · Dec 11, 2015

there are a couple form factors for SFF power supplies. What case is it going to go into?

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

bliq :

I was going to put it in an old tivo case to make a dvr /web browsing pc. Its going to be a challenge. Room is limited so the smaller is better.

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

How about this:

That's actually the one I was looking at. It just doesn't have the best reviews and is a little pricey compared to what I wanted. It is definitly a great option.

bliq · Dec 11, 2015

There are smaller form factors than that SFX one. There's a FlexATX standard that would probably work. And PICO-ITX. That one is tiny.

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

bliq :

Yes I saw a flex atx which look good also. The Pico-ITX doesn't have enough plugs and I honestly am wary of it. Its cool though. I found this Flex-ATX (doesnt have to be newegg)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104080
but it seems bigger than the SFX. The SFX is looking the best size wise unless I can find a small Flex-ATX. Maybe this
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104075

bliq · Dec 11, 2015

it looks big, but read the specs carefully.

that SFX is 48.462 cubic inches

the Flex ATX one is 30.35376 cubic inches.

DonkeyOatie · Dec 11, 2015

Then this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151089&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-PCPartPicker,%20LLC-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3938566&SID=

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

bliq :

I didn't look at cubic inches overall just at the dimmensions of it. (LxWxH). They all seem to say they die quickly. What one do you recomend

bzand · Dec 11, 2015

Then this:

that's an option too. I'm just having a hard time deciding. Im gonna try to get the tivo so I can get dimmensions.

DonkeyOatie · Dec 12, 2015

Seasonic is a decent manufacturer and I use a SFX Silverstone in this computer.

bzand · Dec 12, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

The biggest issue with what you showed me is the fan jutting out of the top. It may not fit( I need to take measurments) and that would require me to cut a hole in the case top not just the back

DonkeyOatie · Dec 12, 2015

That matters. You need to check the dimensions. When you check the reviews, especially user reviews, look at what the PSU is being used for. Anything 300W or less is not intended for a high-performance gaming system. If it was used for this purpose, it may not do well. Just because it was used for the wrong thing is no reason to mark it down.

How about a laptop-like external power brick?

bzand · Dec 12, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

That also is a possibility. Do you mean like a pico-itx. If so I don't think one of those will suit my needs. I think I know what you may mean though if you didn't mean the pico. I belive seen them online.

DonkeyOatie · Dec 12, 2015

Could be as big as this: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/xg-magnum-600-external-power-supply/

bzand · Dec 12, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

Sorry my internet will not fully load that page. But from what I can see on the page I can conclude 600 watt is waay to much and external power bricks aren't very popular and are rare. I just really wish I had measurments

DonkeyOatie · Dec 12, 2015

I was not suggesting that in particular, just to show that external PSUs did not need to be small and weedy.

We will need to wait for the measurements.

If money is no object, you could buy an EVGA Hadron Air and take the PSU out of it, then sell the rest of the case to someone else to recover some of your money. That EVGA Hadron Air (or Liquid) has a good, custom, thin PSU in it.

You are looking for an intersection of very good, very cheap, and very small. You may not find anything there.

bzand · Dec 12, 2015

DonkeyOatie :

Yes I'm trying to get them but the case is at my grandmothers. that's exactly what I'm looking. for very good cheap and small. Ill look into seeing if I can buy just the evga psu

bliq · Dec 12, 2015

the Hadron Air's PSU looks like FLex ATX. My only beef with them is they tend to be loud. but if it's the only thing that fits...

Seasonic and Silverstone are generally good brands, but who knows who makes the flex atx PSUs for them...

DonkeyOatie · Dec 12, 2015

bliq :

Not according to the reviews of the Hadron Air.

A big surprise came courtesy the PSU. As already mentioned, our experience of these slimline server PSUs hasn't been great but despite using one of the smallest fans known to man, it actually kept itself to itself and failed to produce the expected din during our load test. This is great news for the Hadron Air as there's little you could have done to make it quieter if this proved to be an issue.

From http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/cases/2013/12/13/evga-hadron-air-review/4

Good small sized PSU

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