Small power supply? Help me out please!

d_brennen · 12 Feb 2011 at 13:43

I have been tasked with quieting down a HTPC for a friend as the PSU fan is driving them nuts. I have to say it is loud. The PSU came with the case, a cheapy unbranded one, it is a CIT 300w ATX supply but about half the size of a regular one...

CIT Pentium 4 Model: M-300U

Features
Silent PSU with Temperature Control Fan
Complies with Intel ATX12V 2.31VER
Fan Speed Control Function Inside
Passive PFC (Power Factor Correction)
Low noise with intelligent-thermal fan control technology
ATX 12V Compliant for all kinds of CPU and mainboard
MTBF 50,000 Hours @ 25 degrees C

It's running an Athlon II X2, 4GB RAM, Optical and 1 x 3.5" HDD. I suspect it's at it's limit hence the noise!

What form factor is it and what replacement is available that is silent? Is there an external solution?

.:SAmSuNG:. · 12 Feb 2011 at 16:51

Its noisly probably cus its crap. I run a Q9450 4GB and 2 sata drives on a 150w XT Pico PSU. If you want silent then its the way to go.

chipps101 · 12 Feb 2011 at 18:41

it will be a sfx form factor - http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/formSFX-c.html

silverstone and be quiet both make good ones.

d_brennen · 12 Feb 2011 at 19:53

.:SAmSuNG:. said:
Its noisly probably cus its crap. I run a Q9450 4GB and 2 sata drives on a 150w XT Pico PSU. If you want silent then its the way to go.

Didn't even know about these! 150w enough?

chipps101 said:
it will be a sfx form factor - http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/formSFX-c.html

silverstone and be quiet both make good ones.

Ahh. Looks like it but this one doesn't have a protruding fan. Might foul the hard drive it I get one with a sticking out fan

chipps101 · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:02

they don't all have the fan on the outside, most of the better ones don't

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/p_contents.php?pno=ST45SF&area=usa

http://www.be-quiet.net/be-quiet.net/index.php?StoryID=17&ProductID=47&websiteLang=en

.:SAmSuNG:. · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:02

Well I think its more efficient than my quad core. Also the Pico supplies are supposed to have a lot higher efficiency than normal power supplies. Silence and energy efficiency costs though. Depends on his budget. Hes just running onboard video right?

chipps101 · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:05

there is a good review on pico psu's here - http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=207

.:SAmSuNG:. · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:12

I didnt know powerbricks made a difference. I have FSP 12V 150W AC Adapter on mine. Thanks for link

Cleanthes · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:14

d_brennen · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:20

Just onboard video. Silence is a priority. What kind of 12v adaptor will I need? I'm popping into one of those major high street component retainers tomorrow

.:SAmSuNG:. · 12 Feb 2011 at 20:30

If you google "PartNo: PicoPSU-150-XT" its the 2nd result down which i have and towards the bottom of that shop page you can check to add the power brick.

Power brick is "FSP 12V 150W AC Adapter - 2.5mm x 5.5mm Jack
PartNo: FSP150-AHBN1"

Details of it:

This high power 12V AC/DC adapter is ideal for use with the 120W and 150W PicoPSU's.

Specifications:

Model No: FSP150-AHBN1
AC Input: 100-240V AC 2A 50-60Hz
DC Output: 12V 12.5A (150W)
DC Tip: 2.5mm x 5.5mm Jack - Centre Positive

Obs theres no fans or anything so its totally silent. Basically like a laptop.

cavemanoc · 13 Feb 2011 at 22:01

I'm running the PicoPSU-150-XT on my HTPC and I have to say I'm very happy with it. Does what it says on the tin and it totally silent. More importantly, perhaps, it keeps all the heat out of the case!

gatecrasherlok · 14 Feb 2011 at 00:28

I also have done a build with the pico power supply 150x and gotta say its amazing what it can power. Ran i3 530, 4 gb ram and a ATI Sapphire hd 5550 off it, yet it still has a little overhead of juice to overclock a little.

d_brennen · 18 Feb 2011 at 15:16

Got a PicoPSU and 150w power brick. Excellent kit, if pricey

koolpc · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:38

Is the Pico ok to run an Athlon Quad, 4gig ram, 2.5 HD, onboard GPU, dvdrw?

.:SAmSuNG:. · 18 Feb 2011 at 20:49

As above i run a Q9450 4Gb 2x 3.5" HD and xonar sound card with onboard video. Should be fine.

d_brennen · 18 Feb 2011 at 22:26

koolpc said:
Is the Pico ok to run an Athlon Quad, 4gig ram, 2.5 HD, onboard GPU, dvdrw?

Yep, this PC is a quad Athlon, 4GB DDR2, DVD and a 3.5"

...

Trying

to

suppress

urge

to

build

tiny

PCs...

Subliminal Aura · 21 Feb 2011 at 12:06

Guys - what's the deal with pico PSU ?

How can I tell if my external brick is regulated or should I just add a surge protector if it's not ?

Code13 · 22 Feb 2011 at 22:33

These Pico PSUs sound very interesting... When making a small PC the PSU always takes up boatloads of space and can get quite noisy. I'm going to look into them further.