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Power Supply?

post #1 of 5
10/15/11 at 7:34pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Everyone,
I hope someone here can offer some advice..
What Power Supply would be sufficient to power the following HTPC setup:
  • Micro ATX Z68 AM3 mobo
    2 x 4GB Ram
    AMD 3.4Ghz Quad core Phenom II
    Dual TV tuner
    Wifi card
    Bluetooth card
    2 x 3tb HDD
    1 x 64gb SSD
    Bluray player

Would this AMD processor be able to handle new games / newish games (eg. Rage, NBA 2k12, Bad Company, Fear 3 etc..) so I wouldn't need to get a separate Graphics card??

Also possible for the processor to be passively cooled? Case is aluminium bout 440mm x 420mm x 100mm.

Hope somehere can help me. Would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance
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post #2 of 5
10/15/11 at 7:41pm

Well, Z68 is an intel chipset, so you won't be combining that with an AM3.  You won't need a Bluetooth card, you can get (and should get) a bluetooth USB dongle.  All totaled, you're looking at about a 300W stable draw of power if you use something like an 880G (AM3) or 980G (AM3+) chipset.  I strongly recommend a solid, name brand PSU, fanless are nice, but worry about the efficiency.  Spend a little bit to get a 90+ Certified, so that your power draw won't eat you up.

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post #3 of 5
10/15/11 at 7:55pm
Thread Starter 
lol yeah my mistake on the Z68 chipset..
Thanks for your reply. I will take on board your advice. I thought I would need a lot higher power supply than that (like close to 500W).
Is it recommended / sufficient to passively cool this processor with heat sinks?
Thanks again
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post #4 of 5
10/15/11 at 8:39pm

No, you can't passively cool.. you'll kill it.   You don't really need 500W unless you're mounting a video card that will grab the extra.   Do a figure on all of your draw (like 90W=CPU, 2W per USB, HDD Draw, ROM draw, Ram (3*X) add it all up.


Then take your power supply (let's say a 500W) and if you get 90% efficient, times by .9, then use that as your baseline for what you can supply.   Add up all your numbers, and try to be 15% or more better then it.

 

If this is HTPC use, no way should you need 500W unless you feel like it.

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post #5 of 5
10/15/11 at 10:58pm
Thread Starter 
OK thanks so I think I have the power supply issue sorted if I just do the the maths...
So now another question and then i think im done smile.gif

What is a better combination in terms of performance?

Option 1: An FX-Series AMD Six Core 3.3Ghz on an Asus AM3+ mobo (integrated Radeon HD4250) with 8GB DDR3 Ram

or.....

Option 2: An A-Series Llano AMD Quad-core 2.9Ghz (integrated AMD Radeon HD 6550D) on an Asus FM1 mobo (no onboard graphics) with 8GB DDR3 Ram

Will be used for Gaming, HTPC uses, HD recording, playback, video converting etc..

Thanks for your help so far!
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