PicoPSU for i3-2100, discrete GPU

[battleangel]

Sorry for being a bit repetitive, I'm sure the PicoPSU has been done to death already ...

I have a mATX system (Antec Aria case, Gigabyte GA-Z68MA-D2H-B3, i3-2100, Corsair Vengeance 8GB, Seagate 3.5'' SATA HD) that I've started to put together. Since I wanted to conceal the rig under the TV I'm looking to reduce the heat (and noise to some extent). The PSU in the Antec Aria (which is quite old by now) is a proprietary Antec 300W that basically can't be replaced (I think Antec may have new 350W models, but they cost almost as much as any PicoPSU combination). I could get a new and better case, but I'd still be stuck with the PSU inside the case (and inside the TV bench) increasing the heat.

The thing is that I want to add a discrete GPU of some sort, GT 430 or better, ideally a GTX 550 Ti (a bit much I know). So I've been looking at power consumption figures for various cards (techpowerup) but don't quite know how to match this to my current system, a PicoPSU, availability and a reasonable cost. Normally I would not have have gone down the Nvidia route, as they seem to provide less 3D performance per watt, but I need CUDA for HTPC applications.

Every watt matters in my case so I'd like to run a 200W Pico type PSU if possible. I've been looking at the Dell DA-2 and PW-200M combination but I've only ever seen negative comments on that particular setup. Plus all the DIY and soldering. Plus it seems hard to find a model that has both the 12V P4 and the 24 pin ATX 2.0 connector.

Primarily looking at Ebay (UK and China) since it's the only way to ship anything to Sweden without too much hassle.

Anyone tried this model?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MINI-ITX-1U-C ... 43ab0fa54b

How is this 150W model? Might do if I settle for a reasonable GPU.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FSP-150w-Mini ... 43a5d81c20

PicoPSU 160-XT + Dell DA-2?

PW-200M + Dell DA-2?

[mariner8611]

Greetings.

I'm using a pico-160 with the Dell DA-2, feeding the 12V CPU from the DA-2 as described in reddyyuday's thread. The PW-200 is not compatible with the DA-2.

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=55248

The DA-2 can be replaced by the 192W 12V AC-DC adapter that comes with a Mini-Fit-JR adapter. You'll only need a P4 y-splitter cablle.

http://www.short-circuit.com/product/pr ... -acdc.html

Best regards.

[DumpALump]

Will suggest to get something like a silent seasonic PSU or something instead of a PicoPSU. They are rated pretty low for amps and I looked up the power consumption of a 550ti and its like 139watts.

My current system hits up to 70-80Watts (iirc) according to my Kill-A-Watt. mATX mobo, 4 5900rpm HDs, I3-2100, no discrete gpu. So I'd spend a little more if you must have a 550 installed, otherwise you'll probably have stability problems.

[Abula]

I also think its best to go with a full atx psu, a seasonic X-400 should be enough to power a I3 2100 and the gtx 550ti. A picopsu might be fine at idle but at load, might be unstable or unsafe. There is an alternative like laptop owners use using external gpus, they use a dedicated psu for gpus lile GTX460, etc.

[battleangel]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I think I'll keep the PSU in the Antec Aria for the time being. Can't change it since it has a proprietary L-shaped design.

I'd probably be better off buying a new case instead of using a PicoPSU to improve the case I have. It would probably cost me the same. I have a new 500W Corsair around here somewhere that is surely better than the 300W Antec in the Aria.

I have a new TV bench now that can hide a cube case anyway so I think I can forget about the noise.

[bean1975]

The DA-2 can be replaced by the 192W 12V AC-DC adapter that comes with a Mini-Fit-JR adapter. You'll only need a P4 y-splitter cablle.

Best regards.

OK, so http://www.mini-box.com/12v-16A-AC-DC-Power-Adapter take this, a pico-PSU and a P4 Y-Splitter http://www.ecrater.com/p/5738167/y-cabl ... nnector-12 . That's brilliant! But how how do you make a 6 pin PCI Express connector out of a P4 ? Hacking one out of this http://www.performance-pcs.com/catalog/ ... ts_id=3204 and the connector from a P4 extender perhaps? Or anyone knows where can one get such a cable?