Low power PSU for a NAS rig.

[Guest]

Hi guys, Thanks for taking the time to read this...

I've been wanting to build a NAS for quite sometime now, and then I saw the MSI H97M ECO motherboard and decided to go for it....This link shows the low power consumption of the motherboard...the power supply used there was a FSP Aurum 92+ 550w PSU which I think is slightly overkill. Should I go for the same power supply or move to a different power suppy?? Any other suggestions?? I was wondering a 60W PicoPSU, but that has only one SATA power output...I also thought of the FSP Aurum 92+ 450w PSU and also the Antec EarthWatts 450w 80+ PSU...I can't seem to find any PSU's rated below 100w....80+ platinum preferred(since this thing will be on 24/7).

I have even considered doing the exact same build mentioned in the above link...I just want to know if I have any better alternatives...PSU's (80+ platinum) suggestions anyone?

I will also be adding 4 x 7200rpm 2TB SATA drives.
Haven't decided on the processor- Probably an i5 though..

Thanks in advance..

 

[Guest]

You realize that the maximum capacity of the PSU will not significantly impact how much power is drawn? Your components and usage dictate power use. Go for a quality PSU with a good efficiency rating.

Incidentally I've tried both routes (PC and dedicated device) and found that the dedicated NAS boxes - such as Synology - use far less power overall.

 

[Guest]

ChrisPat:
You realize that the maximum capacity of the PSU will not significantly impact how much power is drawn? Your components and usage dictate power use. Go for a quality PSU with a good efficiency rating.

Incidentally I've tried both routes (PC and dedicated device) and found that the dedicated NAS boxes - such as Synology - use far less power overall.

Dear ChrisPat,
I understand your point and I considered buying a NAS rather than building one...But the NAS boxes that fall into my budget are not worth the price. And moreover, most have only a single LAN port and the reports online and reviews from friends don't seem very convincing...I was thinking of adding 8xGigabit LAN and configuring it with Link Aggregation. Also, building my own NAS would mean more customization...something which is really important to me...As much as power consumption is.

 

[toyftw]

Hi guys, Thanks for taking the time to read this...

I've been wanting to build a NAS for quite sometime now, and then I saw the MSI H97M ECO motherboard and decided to go for it....This link shows the low power consumption of the motherboard...the power supply used there was a FSP Aurum 92+ 550w PSU which I think is slightly overkill. Should I go for the same power supply or move to a different power suppy?? Any other suggestions?? I was wondering a 60W PicoPSU, but that has only one SATA power output...I also thought of the FSP Aurum 92+ 450w PSU and also the Antec EarthWatts 450w 80+ PSU...I can't seem to find any PSU's rated below 100w....80+ platinum preferred(since this thing will be on 24/7).

I have even considered doing the exact same build mentioned in the above link...I just want to know if I have any better alternatives...PSU's (80+ platinum) suggestions anyone?

I will also be adding 4 x 7200rpm 2TB SATA drives.
Haven't decided on the processor- Probably an i5 though..

Thanks in advance..

Hi - Your processor alone will pull 84 or more watts, your hdd's will put you over 100w,
then fans, and anything else increases it, so your thoughts of a 450w unit is what you
should be considering.

Also, consider that the extra cost of a platinum efficiency unit vs gold generally takes
years not month's to recoup. Personally I'd still opt for platinum if I could afford to do so,
but the economics don't justify it.

I'll assume you are using a case that will house a std PS2/ATX power supply.
Here are a few to consider:
http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/amazon/rosewill-power-supply-capstone450 - could be the best of the top 450's
but not semi mod/modular

http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/amazon/rosewill-power-supply-capstone450m - Modular ver $5 more

http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/superbiiz/seasonic-power-supply-ssr450rm - modular also

http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/amazon/rosewill-power-supply-fortress450 - Platinum, but
almost $40 over the Capstone

http://pcpartpicker.com/mr/newegg/seasonic-power-supply-ss400fl2activepfcf3 - Platinum, but $105

I believe your best quality/price option is the modular Capstone @ $60.

If you are not in the US, plz list your location & I'll try n find some for you to consider.

 

[Guest]

Ok, your call.

Usually things that we want that don’t ‘fall into our budget’ mean that we save for a little longer to get the right thing, but if you’ve something urgent then I take your point.

I’d be very keen to understand what requirement necessitates more throughput than a single gigabit ethernet connection can deliver? That must be quite some use if you need that amount of data throughput. I struggle to think what might need link aggregation, as generally even small business manage without this.

The 'reports' that I've seen online are usually very positive- indeed I struggle to think of a bad review for the recognised specialist brands. Any links ?

As a fairly high usage NAS operator that has tried both approaches, keen to understand your perspective OP.

 

[Guest]

Ok, your call.

Usually things that we want that don’t ‘fall into our budget’ mean that we save for a little longer to get the right thing, but if you’ve something urgent then I take your point.

I’d be very keen to understand what requirement necessitates more throughput than a single gigabit ethernet connection can deliver? That must be quite some use if you need that amount of data throughput. I struggle to think what might need link aggregation, as generally even small business manage without this.

The 'reports' that I've seen online are usually very positive- indeed I struggle to think of a bad review for the recognised specialist brands. Any links ?

As a fairly high usage NAS operator that has tried both approaches, keen to understand your perspective OP.

I own and run a school and with an interest in technology, I overlook the school's network and other tech infrastructure needs. We have 750+ computers accessing the NAS at any given time. This NAS is for a student's website...reason for the 8xGigabit ethernet......

By the way I already finished the build...and we just used FiberOptic connections (The IT guys idea...we have three)...Now, our web design classes have all the space they need.