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MrLashed · 2013-09-18, 16:56

Hello people,

Looking for some advice regarding PSU's and hoping you can direct me in the right direction!

So I'm looking to move from ATV2 to HTPC, and I have items in mind for this build...

Intel Core i3-3225 3.3GHz Dual-Core
Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe Mini ITX LGA1155
Corsair 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600
Crucial M4 32GB 2.5" SSD

But I'm in need of a mini ITX case with PSU, now here is the question...

...What size PSU would I need in order to run this setup, I've read some forum blogs that 150/160W should be fine.

cwide · 2013-09-18, 17:02

If that is all you are running you will be fine with even an 80W pico.

I currently run a Celeron G1610 based HTPC off a 60W pico, but I think that might be pushing it a little. But the G1610 and i3 have the same TDP so the difference will be a few watts at most.

MrLashed · 2013-09-18, 17:18

That's good to know :-)

Perhaps I'm best of looking for an mini-ITX case without PSU, and look for 80/100W to be safe?

As you can see from the items above I'll be using the HD4000 integrated graphics rather than a dedicated graphics cards, so that should definitely allow me to use a much less PSU.

**Dougie Fresh** · 2013-09-18, 17:23

picoPSU 90 with 90W 12V AC adapter is plenty.

MrLashed · (This post was last modified: 2013-09-18, 17:26 by MrLashed.)

(2013-09-18, 17:23)Dougie Fresh Wrote: picoPSU 90 with 90W 12V AC adapter is plenty.

Thank you for the reply Doug... What build do you have?

**Dougie Fresh** · 2013-09-18, 17:40

I've made many, many builds, including i3-3225. My testing showed about 70W maximum from i3-3225, 4GB, 128GB SSD with an 84W AC adapter.

MrLashed · 2013-09-18, 17:43

(2013-09-18, 17:40)Dougie Fresh Wrote: I've made many, many builds, including i3-3225. My testing showed about 70W maximum from i3-3225, 4GB, 128GB SSD with an 84W AC adapter.

That's brilliant and just what I'm looking for, I'll be looking now for a nice desktop case with 90W PSU... Anyone know I should be looking for such a case?

cwide · 2013-09-18, 17:54

Depends on where you are located, but I have always wanted to buy one of the wesena cases from http://www.shop.perfecthometheater.com/

I also like this http://www.amazon.com/ANTEC-OEM-ISK110-V...s=itx+case

**Dougie Fresh** · (This post was last modified: 2013-09-18, 18:07 by Dougie Fresh.)

BTW, the reason I suggested the picoPSU 90 is because it comes with the CPU P4 power lead needed for a desktop system. The pico 80 and 120 doesn't not.

I sell these in the USA (for some reason I am assuming you are in the UK) and they work great for mini-ITX HTPCs. You'll also need a low-profile CPU cooler.

If this is over your budget, I can suggest others.

MrLashed · (This post was last modified: 2013-09-18, 18:21 by MrLashed.)

I'm based in the UK.... I was thinking ANTEC ISK 310?

Also your suggestion is good, and I assume that due to the cd drive that's why I would need a low profile CPU cooler...

Perhaps there is a model that comes without the cd drive, to allow the use of a standard CPU cooler?

cwide · 2013-09-18, 18:21

Those are fine... it comes with a PSU so no need to worry about picoPSUs.

**Dougie Fresh** · 2013-09-18, 18:26

(2013-09-18, 18:18)MrLashed Wrote: Perhaps there is a model that comes without the cd drive, to allow the use of a standard CPU cooler?

There is the E-i5 doesn't have a CD drive but being smaller it still needs a low-profile cooler (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-CC7118H...B005O6518Q) but it comes with a 60W AC adapter unfortunately.

This case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-ITX03-B...B004REK1P4 is one I've been looking at too.

MrLashed · (This post was last modified: 2013-09-18, 19:20 by MrLashed.)

(2013-09-18, 18:26)Dougie Fresh Wrote:
(2013-09-18, 18:18)MrLashed Wrote: Perhaps there is a model that comes without the cd drive, to allow the use of a standard CPU cooler?

There is the E-i5 doesn't have a CD drive but being smaller it still needs a low-profile cooler (e.g. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-CC7118H...B005O6518Q) but it comes with a 60W AC adapter unfortunately.

This case: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Akasa-AK-ITX03-B...B004REK1P4 is one I've been looking at too.

I've also looked at Akasa-AK-ITX03 which has a review on youtube, however I would prefer the case to be plain... I suppose I could darken the 'Akasa' on the front panel?

Also I would like a case that offers 2x 2.5 SSD bays?

**Dougie Fresh** · 2013-09-18, 19:44

The E-i5 has 2 x 2.5" bays.

MrLashed · (This post was last modified: 2013-09-18, 20:06 by MrLashed.)

So I'm thinking E-i3 or E-i5?