Beginner here -- how to mount PSU in m350 enlosure?

[Muradin007]

Hi all!

The title says what I'm confused about -- how do I mount a PSU in the mini box m350 enclosure?

I know how it would be done with a picoPSU, but I can't find any pictures, or videos, or any information saying one might do it if .... you weren't using a picoPSU.

I personally would like to use the HDPLEX 160W AC-DC w/PFC
http://www.hd-plex.com/HDPLEX-Internal-160W-AC-DC-Adapter-with-Active-PFC-and-19VDC-Output.html

I would like to avoid having to use DC-IN as my power.

I want to know how I would execute and mount the thing, before I order it to prevent wasted money for some sort of incompatibility.

Is there a part of the case that you mount this to, a separate bracket I need to purchase? Maybe just some screws or something?

I really know next to nothing on this stuff, any assistance even at the most basic level would be appreciated. Treat me as you would a baby, since a baby does not know anything about computers or mounting or any steps.

Thank you for reading!

 

[13thmonkey]

Do you have a link for the M350, if it is the case I think it is then it takes a PSu that is more akin to a small circuit board with a power brick on the outside.

 

[13thmonkey]

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/377449-31-mini-build - is a more normal pico PSU.

 

[Muradin007]

Do you have a link for the M350, if it is the case I think it is then it takes a PSu that is more akin to a small circuit board with a power brick on the outside.

m350 - http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Box-M350-Universal-Mini-ITX-Computer/dp/B005TX3LA4

 

[13thmonkey]

the same as the one in my build above, you need a pico psu and not a nano psu. The first picture has the PSU as being the power brick + the small yellow block that directly mounts to the 24pin socket.

On your amazon link they are sold together.

 

[13thmonkey]

With regards to avoiding DC in, you can't, the second image above shows that there is no gap between the yellow PSU and the front of the case, and likewise elsewhere there is nothing.

This was my many'th build, and was fun, interesting, but required experience to draw upon.

 

[Muradin007]

Aha, so you would say there is no way to fit a non-pico PSU in this case?

That DC input is absolutely required?

Reason I want to avoid it, is that power bricks fail and to me, they seem to fail quicker and more often than they should.

Would there be a case you could recommend to me that would be a mini-itx form factor (not those huge cubes or VCR form factor boxes) like the m350 and that could use a power supply like the nanopsu or something not requiring a power brick?

 

[13thmonkey]

Sorry, that I can't help you with. My power brick has been fine since I wrote that post. To be honest getting another power brick is cheap and easy, finding one of those nano psu's not so easy, I'd never seen one before. Size the power brick so that it is bigger than the pico, and size the pico so that it is bigger than the load and you'll be fine as nothing is running at it's edges. You can afford to do this as you are build one only. Often they would be supplied just about capable of doing what needs to be done and hence are running stressed.

The other thing that I would say about the nano psu is that it has exposed mains cables, you should know more about what you are doing before attempting that. With the pico, mains stops at the brick, with an atx supply accessible mains stops at the cable.

 

[13thmonkey]

Another other thing, that psu outputs 19.5V through a 4pin and a 2 pin molex, it's not designed for PC's. which need, 3.3, 5 and 12V.

 

[Muradin007]

Hmm...Thats helpful. Thank you for those insights.

I guess there will be no escaping a DC-IN external power supply. Unless I opt for a bigger case. I'd love to find alternate cases, I guess I'll have to do some more shopping around.