AC T2 Silentium with additional PSU

[levelbitbit]

Hi everyone

I have an AC T2 Silentium case, which comes with a Seasonic SS-350ATC PSU (which is incorporated into the case) and which, as you can guess, does not offer enough power for today's high end graphics cards.

So before I buy a new case, I wanted to ask you for comments/advice regarding the following:

Scenario 1: what if I buy a separate PSU (a more powerful and modular one), put it next to or on top of my PC, and plug some of the components (either the graphics card, or the mother board, or the hard drive, or all of them) into it, and leave some components plugged into the Seasonic and some of them plugged into the modular PSU? Would this work? Have any of you tried this before, i.e. have a normal PSU and then an additional "loose" PSU?

Scenario 2: what if I try to remove the Seasonic from the T2 Silentium and replace it with a new PSU: have you tried this before? Is it possible to remove it without damaging the case (too much)?

I look forward to receiving your comments and suggestions.

Many thanks

LC

 

[tobyben]

Scenario1: No
Scenario2: Yes, replacing the PSU is simple.

 

[levelbitbit]

@tobyben: thanks for your (short) reply, but, unfortunately, but I don't understand it and I would be grateful if next time you take the trouble of adding a bit more details...

Scenario 1: why wouldn't it be possible to have two PSU? I have seen cases which have two PSUs (like this one by Antec: http://www.xcase.co.uk/p/345617/antec-midi-case-p190-black-neo-link-1200w-2-psu--free-delivery.html), I have found external PSUs (like this one: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/299) as well as internal dedicated PSUs (like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817101025). So before I give up this idea I would be grateful for some arguments against buy one more PSU and hooking up some of my components to it...

Scenario 2: again, your answer does not seem very informed, unless I am missing something. This is because replacing the PSU in a normal case is indeed simple, but replacing the PSU in the AC Silentium T2 is anything but "simple". Have a look at the pictures of the Silentium here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article216-page2.html and you will see what I mean...

So once again, could you guys let me know:

1. Have you tried using two PSU to run one PC?

2. Have you tried to replace the PSU in the AC Silentium T2?

Thanks

LC

 

[eklipz330]

you SHOULD be able to remove it from the bottom... as they had to get it in there somehow.... lol

edit

disregard my message, i dont kno anything abou tthe case = /
but i doubt you'll be able to get two psu's connected to one motherboard simply because you'll need one 20+4pin connector for your mobo and a 4/8pin for your cpu, and i dont think you can split the work between two psu's without causing some problems

maybe there are some motherboards with dual connections, maybe a server motherboard?

 

[rgsaunders]

There are jumper adapters that permit you to run two PS, sharing the load. As to the practicality of it with that case, I will leave to your judgment, not something that I would do, but then again my computing needs and technical skills are probably somewhat different than yours.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

From the web page link provided by levelbitbit:

"The PSU is substantially wider than the ATX standard (as wide as the case), and the distance between the fans and exhaust is shorter. This had to be done to accommodate the dual 80mm fans. It allows for a very open airflow path through the PSU especially with the bottom grill for the PSU exhaust being so unrestricted."

It is a non-standard size psu. Replacing the psu may prove difficult.

 

[13thmonkey]

or you could get one of these : http://www.scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=434414

and supplement your current psu, which i assume is fundemental sound and not broken, just undersized.

 

[JohnnyLucky]

13thmonkey,

Interesting product. I've seen pc cases with dual psu set-ups but this is the first time I've seen a supplemental unit that fits in a standard drive bay. Very Cool!

 

[levelbitbit]

@rgsaunders: I assume you mean this: http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=186&products_id=21193&zenid=8600855de2edc2428f60483998b0b326 - the problem is that I am based in the UK, and have not been able to find any shops that sell them in the UK, or do UK deliveries - if only one of you lucky people living in the USA helped me get one I would be very happy to pay for it and the relevant postage costs....

@johnylucky: I don't think that the fact the Seasonic is wider and shorter means that there isn't enough room for a normal PSU in its place. The problem is removing it without damaging the case...

@13thmonkey: thanks, for the link - I knew about that supplemental PSU, but I think I am either going to buy the cheapest PSU I can find or a "real" PSU which I can then keep as and when I have more money for a new case...

All in all, I've done a little bit more research and come across this: http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=88976 which kind of answers the questions I had in relation to the so called Scenario 1.

I haven't found something similar in relation to Scenario 2 however, so if any of you knows anything about removing the PSU from the T2 Silentium, please let me know.

Thanks

LC

 

[13thmonkey]

Cheap PSU's are never a good deal, its the foundation to a system, a good quality lower power PSU is often a lot better than a cheap higher powered one.

Your call of course, stick with known brands, where possible.

 

[levelbitbit]

Ok, thank you all again for your replies and comments.