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Zenith
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2012-07-31, 12:48
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-31, 12:51 by Zenith.)
If these are the numbers...at 80% efficiency a 150 watt power supply it is a bit underpowered...this cpu needs at least a 180w/200w power supply.
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Another thing about efficiency. The picoPSU's efficiency quote is in the DC-DC conversion process. The AC-DC conversion process, which happens in the laptop brick, is the one that really counts since it's more inefficient.
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2012-07-31, 19:15
(This post was last modified: 2012-07-31, 19:16 by gomiflo.)
Wow, thanks for all the feedback and help! A few points about this build:
- The A8 was a gift (and is still unopened). I can't return it and I have tried to sell it but haven't had anyone interested in it. I won't sell it for less than the cost of replacing it with a <=65W CPU.
- Usage is mostly for movies and the machine will be turned off when not in use. I expect it to be on 2.5 hours at a time. Probably will be used once a week (not that that matters for this discussion). No gaming, no running Prime95.
- I am fully willing to undervolt and underclock this to the point that it performs like a lower tier part. It makes more sense to me to do that than to take a loss selling the A8 for really cheap and then buy something like an A6 65W.
@Mick1152: Thank you for posting those numbers. The power draw you are seeing matches what others have posted and is the reason why I think I can pull off a machine like this using a 100W part. With my usage, it simply won't be running full tilt. I just need the machine to make it through a movie without overheating.
@DavidT99: I hadn't considered the Akasa case before. In general, Akasa products are very difficult for me to get (I am in Canada), but I have the option to ship to a friend in California and pick it up later. Do you have experience with the case? It looks to sell at $100 or so with a 80W PSU. Replacing the psu would put this close to $170 with a 150W PicoPSU.
@bluray: Thanks for the link to the build using the ISK 310-150. I am considering it although i would lose Vesa mounting and it is pretty long compared to the M350 or ISK110.
I think my options so far are:
- M350 with a 150W PSU for about $105: Might get too hot. Not sure if I can put two 2.5" SSDs in there without interfering with the CPU cooler.
- Antec ISK 110 Vesa ($75) and 150W PicoPSU kit ($70) totalling $145: Seems like a good option. Vesa mountable and support for two 2.5" SSDs. No optical drive, but that's ok. Relatively expensive.
- Antec ISK300-150 for about $75: Optical, two 2.5" drives. Not a bad option, but no vesa mount, it's a pretty long case, and I expect it will be a lot noisier (PSU fan and Case fan) than the other options.
- Habey 800BL ($65) and 150W PicoPSU kit ($70) totalling $135: OK option. The included PSU is 120W but with a 60W adapter, so I might as well replace the whole PSU with a pico (or should I only do the adapter?) Case seems to be poorly ventilated.