Good 250 - 300W 80+ PSU in black?!

[maverick02]

Hi All,

I am building a fairly low powered desktop:

i3-3225 ivy bridge
ASUS P8H77 (H77 chipset mAtx)
2 x ddr3
1 ssd
1 cd/dvd-rw
2 x 120mm fans

I think I can easily get away with a 250 - 300W PSU. I believe that this machine will probably idle at probably around 50W? And since this machine will be on 24/7, I would like to be in the 20 - 80% range of the supply load so I am at least 80% efficient. I can't seem to find a brand PSU though in this range - and I'd like one that is black to go with my mAtx case.

I was hoping to get something in the $30 range after rebate or something. I don't know if that is wishful thinking. It's ashame since I see a few good 500W - 600W PSUs that are in that price range after rebate, but the efficiency at ~50W would probably be terrible.

39.99 after rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817341017

20.99 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139026

 

[VirtualLarry]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104140

400W, 80Plus Gold, under $50 no rebate.

Was looking at this one for my E-350 build.

Makes me a little nervous though, Newegg claims it is 80Plus Gold, but on the actual PSU label, I don't see that certification anywhere.

 

[Quantos]

According to http://www.fsp-group.com/english/1_product/2_detail.asp?mainid=139&fid=140&proid=541 it is indeed a 80+ Gold product.

 

[TemjinGold]

Go with the Corsair.

 

[Zap]

i3-3225 ivy bridge
ASUS P8H77 (H77 chipset mAtx)
2 x ddr3
1 ssd
1 cd/dvd-rw
2 x 120mm fans

I think I can easily get away with a 250 - 300W PSU. I believe that this machine will probably idle at probably around 50W?

It will probably idle around 25-30W and load around 50-60W.

 

[maverick02]

It will probably idle around 25-30W and load around 50-60W.

That would be great, but that seems a bit low. The i3-3225 is rated at 55W. Then you have to figure in that the motherboard uses power, 2x1.5V ddr3, 2x120mm fans, and the ssd. All adds up.

 

[TemjinGold]

It won't actually be using 55w almost ever.

 

[Zap]

That would be great, but that seems a bit low. The i3-3225 is rated at 55W. Then you have to figure in that the motherboard uses power, 2x1.5V ddr3, 2x120mm fans, and the ssd. All adds up.

55W TDP is the theoretical maximum power draw of the platform with CPU + GPU fully loaded. The "platform" is all current and future nominal voltage Ivy Bridge dual cores with graphics. So, even if you 100% load the CPU + GPU, you won't approach 55W (before fans, SSD, etc.). Also, unless your hobby is to run your CPU + GPU at 100% all the time and not use your computer for "normal" activities, you won't run anywhere near those wattages.

 

[TemjinGold]

I remember back in the day when 55w couldn't power the light bulb in my room. Scary how far things have come...

 

[llee]

55W TDP is the theoretical maximum power draw of the platform with CPU + GPU fully loaded.

Is that how Intel is defining it nowadays? I was under the assumption that they defined it as a measure of heat output.

 

[Lonyo]

He's certainly right about the idle power use. My Celeron G530 (SB) is sub 25w idle with a 2.5" mechanical.

I also have a Pentium G620T and HD6450 with 3xHDD on a 150w PicoPSU.
Your build would be in theory best suited to that, but they are far too expensive to be really worth it, so the cheapest lowest power PSU that's god a good rating is a better idea.

 

[wirednuts]

20.99 AR:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6817139026

do it if you like rebates. thats a great price. i agree though, its a shame its over twice as big as you need. just tell yourself you will put a video card in the machine someday, even if you never will

 

[Zap]

Is that how Intel is defining it nowadays? I was under the assumption that they defined it as a measure of heat output.

You're probably right, but I think it works "close enough." Also, I'm right about it being for the "family" of products and at peak load, which is my point.