High End PSU for a MicroATX Slim Case

[powerboy]

I'm looking for the best MicroATX slim case and power supply combination for the following gear.

GIGABYTE GA-965GM-S2 LGA 775 Intel G965 Express Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
Leadtek PX7600GS TDH LP GeForce 7600GS PCI Express x16 Low Profile Video Card
Intel Pentium D 915 Presler 2.8GHz
A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) 240-Pin DDR2 800 SDRAM
2 x Western Digital Caviar SE16 SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
1 x Lite-On 8X DVD DL IDE Burner

and the usual cooling fans, USB headset, USB web cam.

I'm open to options on the case and power supply but it does need to be a slim case. I've had my eye on the Antec Minuet 300, really because it's one of the beefer PSU I've found. The problem is per my swag at power draw:

Video: 120W
CPU: 95W
Mem: 15W
HDD: 15W each (two in system)
DVD: 25W
Misc: 15W

TOTAL: 300W

I don't mind buying a PSU, but I need to find one that will work in this system and a MicroATX slim case. Your help, directions, and thoughts are appreciated.

 

[powerboy]

The only card being added is the video card, which is a low profile card.

 

[powerboy]

So the key would be to find PSU with some kick in a slim case. I've seen 800W in 1U (PWS-801-1R). Anyone have ideas for home use?

 

[powerboy]

This is a footprint issue, but has become a 'can you make it work' in the last few days. What's driving me crazy is finding a PSU for a slim case (sub 4 inches). Servers have 1000W PSUs in 1U rack space (1.7inches) that cover over 50 amps on the 12v rail. I would rather not go to the MicroTowers if I don't have to do so.

 

[jaguarskx]

1st

The 7600GS does not draw 120w of power. It has been estimated to draw 27.4w of power basically be underclocking the 7600GT to the speed of the 7600GS. See following link:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/power-noise_6.html

2nd:

On average a hard drive consumes about 16w on the 12v rail and about 5w on the 5v rail for an estimated total of 21w. That should also apply to the typical DVD burner as well.

3rd:

I would say that a m-ATX mobo probably consumes about 25w of power, just a guess.

-------------------

Based on your components you will be maxing out the 12v rail which can only provide 14.5a.

Your best bet if you want to stick with the 915 Pressler is buy a case that does not come with a proprietary PSU.

There aren't too many slim m-atx cases that I could find which is compatible with a SFX size PSU. I would suggest the SuperCase DM317. It comes with a 220w PSU that you immediately dump.

http://www.directron.com/dm317.html

You should replace it with the ENERMAX 320W Micro ATX SFX PSU which can provide up to 24a or 288w on the 12v rail. That's assuming no more than 32w is being drawn from the 3.3v and 5v rails.

http://www.directron.com/eg320svb.html

PSU specs:

http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_44&products_id=116&osCsid=07aef9d0b4fde1e16f93a181434405ff

I estimate your system will draw about 65w on the 3.3v and 5v rails. That leaves 255w or 21.25 amps on the 12v to power up all those power hungry components and that is definitely enough for your components.

 

[powerboy]

EXCELLENT! This looks like it might be the perfect solution! My thanks for the deep look into the power of these components! This is the solution I was looking to find!

 

[powerboy]

So have I been reading things correctly. I'll have even more wiggle room if I go with a Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 instead of the Pentium D 915? It looks to be about 30 watts less!

 

[clue69less]

If you go with a case like that you are pretty much stuck with the PSU that comes in it. With only 14.5A on a single +12v rails you will not be able to run a system with a video card. You will be limited to onboad graphics. The size of the case itself dosn't allow for a standard card to fit in the slot. You need to look at other case options. A slimline case will not be able to hold your system.

There are micro-atx units out there with more +12V current, like this one:

http://www.power-on.com/microatxss300v.html

Not sure what the total +12 is on that but the two rails are rated at 8 and 14.5A each. Not really an overclocker's dream unit. I recently moved a micro-ATX mobo into a small ATX case just to have more selection WRT the PS.

 

[jaguarskx]

So have I been reading things correctly. I'll have even more wiggle room if I go with a Intel Core 2 Duo E6400 instead of the Pentium D 915? It looks to be about 30 watts less!

Hmmm... I thought your Pentium D 915 was a holdover from another PC you had. Between the two diffinitely get the E6400. Even at stock speed the E6400 will eat the D 915 alive. Overclock the E6400 and...

The E6400 consumes 50w of power compared to 94w that the D 915 consumes.

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cpu/display/core2duo-shootout_11.html

 

[powerboy]

THis is a system being built from the ground up. Space is an issue, hence the compact size requirement. The system is used for the basic email & office tasks, a bit of video editing, and some first person shooter games (FEAR, HL2). The 7600GS from Leadtek is the best low profile video card I could find. For the MoBo I need IEEE 1394 and RAID 0. ASUS has a great mATA but one of the RAID ports is eSATA. I'm open to any suggestions on better hardware.

 

[clue69less]

The Slim line cases don't use the standard mATX PSU. The PSU is actually smaller.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811129013

You can see it in the pictures. A standard mATX PSU will not fit into the case the OP is talking about.

Sure, and the OP may have to reconsider the case selection.

 

[jaguarskx]

For the MoBo I need IEEE 1394 and RAID 0. ASUS has a great mATA but one of the RAID ports is eSATA. I'm open to any suggestions on better hardware.

I'm afraid that may not be possible a quick search filter over at Newegg.com for any LGA 775 mobo with PATA RAID0 there is only one mobo that fits that criteria, the MSI 975X Platinum. That's the mobo that I have, the problem is it is a full ATX mobo, not m-ATX.

You may need to settle for SATA RAID0. You may have a couple of few IDE hard drives that you don't want to get rid of just yet (kinda like me), but if you want RAID0, then you may just have to bite the bullet.

 

[powerboy]

Well, I ordered the hardware and ran into a problem. The suggested SuperCase DM317 Desktop Case with PSU Type: Micro ATX / SFX, yeah... The ENERMAX 320W Micro ATX SFX PSU doesn't fit.

The SuperCase DM317 (which I do like) came with an Allied Switching Power Supply Model: SL-275TFX with two 12v rails, one at 5A and another at 13A. Dimension 5.75" x 2.1" x 3.25"

http://www.dljsystem.com/detailsPowSupply.asp?showMenu=memory&productID=2438

The purchased Enermax 320W PSU with 24a on a single 12v rail has dimensions of 4" x 4.9" x 2.5".

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817194017

Not going to fit in the case.

My goal is to minimize the amount of money I loose because of this issue and could use everyone's help. I see one of two options, find a PSU to fit the existing case that will deliver the necessary power or find a new larger case to fit the Enermax PSU.

I belive Enermax makes a good PSU from the reviews I've read to date and it seems the smallest case will be just under 6". One I've found is Athenatech A100SC.200 Black/ Silver Steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case .

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811190003

Any ideas on a new PSU for the existing case? Perhasp a better case the Enermax PSU would fit that also has Firewire?

Thanks all!

 

[powerboy]

I'm not sure I understand if you say it will fit. What is the difference between TFX, SFX and mATA PSUs?

 

[jaguarskx]

Well, I ordered the hardware and ran into a problem. The suggested SuperCase DM317 Desktop Case with PSU Type: Micro ATX / SFX, yeah... The ENERMAX 320W Micro ATX SFX PSU doesn't fit.

I'm sorry, I assumed the Enermax PSU would fit because the SuperCase DM-317 Desktop Case specifically states it uses a Micro ATX / SFX PSU. The Enermax PSU is listed as a Micro ATX / SFX PSU. Therefore they should have been compatible with each other.

 

[powerboy]

As i siad before now mATX PSU will fit into a Slimline case. The last case you mention there is a standard mATX desktop case and will hold any mATX PSU.

Guess this is why I might be a bit confused, you said it WOULD fit. That aside, it doesn't matter how I ended up here, but only what will be done to fix it. Any suggestions?