<150W Gold/Silver/Bronze PSUs for i3/i5+H55/H57 ?

[IanM]

What is available that will be really efficient with the new Intel i3/i5+H55/H57 systems? I was going to use an old 600W Seasonic in a new basic system, but it would be really far outside the optimal efficiency range. A 100W PSU looks like it would be appropriate based on the loads measured here: http://www.silentpcreview.com/asus-p7h55d-m but I can't find anything with less than 300W for mATX, and 300W still looks like inefficient overkill!

[MtnHermit]

You and I are/were seeking perfection and it doesn't exist. I'm about 4-weeks ahead of you on the path and this is what I've learned:

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      PSU          FF       No Load         Idle     Comments
Seasonic 180W     SFX        7W              44W     SS-180SFD   
Sparkle 200W      SFX        9W              45W     FSP200-50SNV
Antec EW 380W     ATX        6W              34W     EA-380 80+
TT 420W           ATX       14W              45W     Thermaltake HPC-420-102DF
Bestec 250W       ATX        6W              39W     ATX-250-12Z Compaq OEM

All the PSU's were connected to a i3-530 on a Gigabyte microATX MB w/4GB DDR3 and a notebook HDD.

When I get my 235W Dell RM112 modified, it has a mini 24 pin connector, I'll add it to the list.

My least painful recommendation:
SFX = Seasonic 300W 80+
ATX = EA-380 80+

If you're into more pain:
Dell RM112 or Pico 150XT or Wintec, in that order.

Cheers

[IanM]

Thanks MtnHermit, great reply. The Antec Earthwatts PSUs are available combined with some nice(ish) mATX cases for a modest price (I'm in the UK) so that looks like a possibility. Was looking at the Intel DH55TC for the power efficient system, is the Gigabyte better? as in more efficient?

Fortunately I don't need anything urgently, so I'm hopeful that Intel will see sense and release a more basic H55 mini-ITX board. The DH57JG looks brilliant, but over priced for the system I have in mind. Of course then there are a few nice mini-ITX case/PSU combinations to choose from.

[MtnHermit]

Was looking at the Intel DH55TC for the power efficient system, is the Gigabyte better? as in more efficient?

Definitely not, you'll want either the Intel or MSI MB. Read the Anandtech H55 article for more details. Too bad it wasn't available 4-weeks ago.

[Parappaman]

Another nice option is the BeQuiet SFX-300, 80-plus certified and a bit cheaper than the Seasonic. Plus, sleved cables and matte black paint!

I would not recommend a pico for that kind of setup, as some more power available is never bad and will allow you a much wider upgrade path in the future. Also, the high power ones are priced insanely high, and only offer a few watts of power saving (a HUGE 10% difference in efficiency at 50w load means just 2-3w in total, and the difference is not that stark by the way, so it's even less than that).

[speedboxx]

The Wintec 120W DC-DC is on sale for $30 shipped right now. Finding an efficient AC adapter is difficult, but the LiteOn PA3717U-1ACA is 90% efficient and can be had on eBay for $30. This is the setup that Im getting and Ill be attempting to cram everything into a standard ATX psu for a cheap $60 80-90% efficient setup.

Or for $60, you can get an Earthwatts 380, but at low loads it will probably only be about 75-80% efficient.

[IanM]

Read the Anandtech H55 article for more details.

Thanks, Tom Cove looks like the best mATX for a cheap, basic system.

more power available is never bad and will allow you a much wider upgrade path in the future.

As it happens I have just ordered an X-750 for a new games PC, and already have an older S12 600W for the secondary system, but I figure can sell the S12 to part pay for more a appropriate system.

Hopefully there will be lots of new options come CeBit next month