MicroATX PSUs

[JDCentral]

Hey - I'm looking for a small PSU that is at least 270 Watts o' power.

That's really beside the point... I was just wondering what the difference was between MicroATX, FlexATX, and ATX PSUs - can I use a FlexATX PSU for a MicroATX board? Can I use an ATX PSU for a MicroATX board? (etc, etc, etc).

The reason I ask is because I have found some FlexATX PSUs that are small and are rated at 280 watts, whereas a similar model in MicroATX only is around 250 Watts (I would like to use a Sparkle PSU...)

 

[akira34]

I'd just check to see what the motherboard connection is on it. If it's the correct one for the mobo, then go for it. Then, all you need to do is make sure you don't try to cram too much stuff inside the case.

 

[Zepper]

Generally the connectors will be the same for all of them. The micro/flexAT is smaller than the standard ATX. You can look up the standard dimensions on formfactors.org and major PSU mfr's sites. You usually get fewer drive connectors with the smaller PSUs as the cases they're used in can't hold many drives.
. Sparkle has a new micro ATX (actually called the SFX form factor) with 270W, but it's hard to find. Enermax has a good 270Watter too, but it is also hard to find in stock (apparently Newegg has some now). I've seen some no-name units like Arrow with 300 Watts... And on another forum I believe they were touting the Achieve brand which may have a 300W unit.
. And generally, a good brand 250W PSU will be more than enough for all you can cram into a small case assuming the CPU is run off a P4 12V (4-pin square) connector. I won't buy a mobo that lacks the P4 connector any more.
.bh.

Where's the :sun: ?

 

[spongebobfan]

Be very careful which PSU you get. I've burned through a 230 watt A-power, 320 watt a-power, and 250 GBP+. I have a 270 watt Enermax from newegg that has been running in my little B computer for a couple of months with no problems. Take a lesson from me and buy quality from the start istead of going through ~$100 of power supplies...

 

[JDCentral]

Thanks for the advice-

I know that the PSU is the most important part of the computer... 'cause it has the potential to fry ALL your expen$ive components

I'll look for the Enermax 270 Watter... I haven't been able to find the Sparkle 270.

 

[Gravity]

The stock psu in my antec aria seems to be the weak point. I have a wifi card and a 9800 pro xt in the box and I think that the psu doesn't meet the demands. I get lots of spontaneous reboots when gaming, could be heat but I'm thinking it's power.

 

[L00PY]

Keep in mind that quality is much more important that listed watts, especially since your rig will probably be drawing much less wattage than you expect.

IIRC, my Kill A Watt measures the wattage of my mobile AMD 2400+ (running at 2.0 GHz) with 1 GB of RAM, DVD-RW, 120 GB WD HD, Ti4800, with 2 7V Panaflo lows and an adjustable YS-Tech, at around 130W total during general usage. Forcing it into Prime95 with full power consumption raises it a small amount -- somewhere around 25W. There's enough headroom in the Silverstone 240W mATX PSU that came with my case that I'm not particularly worried about the power.

 

[eplebnista]

I haven't been able to find the Sparkle 270

Fortron Source/Sparkle 270W at Axiontech.com

 

[Injury]

Originally posted by: JDCentral
That's really beside the point... I was just wondering what the difference was between MicroATX, FlexATX, and ATX PSUs - can I use a FlexATX PSU for a MicroATX board? Can I use an ATX PSU for a MicroATX board? (etc, etc, etc).

Ideally, yes, you can. The "ATX" extension on the end of the type is an indicator that it has a standard ATX plug. The main difference among the types is the way it attaches to the case... as mATX/microATX and flexATX are smaller, they are likely to only go up to mid-range wattages.

 

[Zepper]

I was about to link to the Fortron 270 (Sparkle is the same) on Axiontech, but it's already been done.
..bh.