PSU Suggesstions for Mini-ITX Gaming Build

[MEC-777]

Ok, here's my build list:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($239.79 @ DirectCanada)
CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Canada Computers)
Motherboard: MSI Z87I Mini ITX LGA1150 Motherboard ($139.50 @ Vuugo)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($64.00 @ DirectCanada)
Storage: Sandisk 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($88.99 @ NCIX)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($66.98 @ Newegg Canada)
Video Card: Sapphire Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($246.00 @ Vuugo)
Case: Fractal Design Node 304 Mini ITX Tower Case
Power Supply: Silverstone Strider Plus 500W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.51 @ DirectCanada)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 (OEM) (64-bit) ($97.99 @ NCIX)
Total: $1043.75
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-09 09:05 EDT-0400)

PCpartpicker estimates my wattage for this build will be about 358W. Will the PSU I have selected be more than enough?

I also understand that the Haswell CPU's enter a state of low power use that only select PSU's can support thus far. If it doesn't, it can cause the system to reboot, rather than enter the low power state (after the system is idle for a period of time). I selected the Silverstone because it's compatible with the Haswell low-power state, it's the right size, seems to be enough wattage and isn't too expensive.

Are Silverstone PSU's good quality?

If anyone has any other PSU suggestions, feel free. I certainly don't want to cheap out on the PSU, but I also don't want to pay more than necessary if you get my drift. 😉

One other thing to keep in mind is selecting a PSU for this case is tricky because you have to make sure the length is no more than 140mm, especially for modular PSU's like this Silverstone. In the Node 304, if the PSU is too long, it'll interfere with the bigger GPU's.

I've been researching like crazy for several months to come up with this final build list and I'm finally getting close to purchasing. I have full confidence in every component I've selected. I know the PSU is one of the most important parts and it's the only thing I'm not 100% sure of.

Thanks in advance and any feedback/assistance would be greatly appreciated.

*EDIT*

Also plan on overclocking a little. CPU to 4.0GHz and bump up the GPU so it's close to a stock 7970.

 

[rattlehead2112]

Cable managenent on a miniITX is really going to be a pain, so I suggest you get a semi modular Corsair CX500M and and help keep it tidy

 

[MEC-777]

Cable managenent on a miniITX is really going to be a pain, so I suggest you get a semi modular Corsair CX500M and and help keep it tidy

The Silverstone ST50F-P I selected is fully modular. 😉

I looked into the CX series and only the 750W is Haswell certified. Others may say to just disable the low-power function on the CPU but I'd rather take advantage of that feature if I can.

One other thing I forgot to mention is I do plan on doing some mild overclocking. I'd like to bring the CPU up to about 4.0GHz and give the GPU a nice bump as well.

 

[rattlehead2112]

Cable managenent on a miniITX is really going to be a pain, so I suggest you get a semi modular Corsair CX500M and and help keep it tidy

The Silverstone ST50F-P I selected is fully modular. 😉

I looked into the CX series and only the 750W is Haswell certified. Others may say to just disable the low-power function on the CPU but I'd rather take advantage of that feature if I can.

One other thing I forgot to mention is I do plan on doing some mild overclocking. I'd like to bring the CPU up to about 4.0GHz and give the GPU a nice bump as well.

Oh great, didn't see that.
I think you should think about OC after looking at the temps at stock and if they have enough room for OC.
I'm not fully familiar with that particular PSU so good luck finding your answer!

 

[geofelt]

A 7950 needs a 500w psu, probably less if it is of good quality.
Silverstone should be ok.
Here is a list to estimate quality of psu's:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

A Modular psu may not be what you want. The connectors require extra length.
On a properly sized psu, you will be using most of the leads anyway.
Here is a Seasonic 520w gold rated unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151126
It supports the latest sockets. Even if it did not, the very lowest power states that haswell supports need not be used.

 

[MEC-777]

Cable managenent on a miniITX is really going to be a pain, so I suggest you get a semi modular Corsair CX500M and and help keep it tidy

The Silverstone ST50F-P I selected is fully modular. 😉

I looked into the CX series and only the 750W is Haswell certified. Others may say to just disable the low-power function on the CPU but I'd rather take advantage of that feature if I can.

One other thing I forgot to mention is I do plan on doing some mild overclocking. I'd like to bring the CPU up to about 4.0GHz and give the GPU a nice bump as well.

Oh great, didn't see that.
I think you should think about OC after looking at the temps at stock and if they have enough room for OC.
I'm not fully familiar with that particular PSU so good luck finding your answer!

No prob. Thanks for your input.

Yeah I will definitely run it with everything stock for a while and make sure everything is good and cool before attempting any OCing.

 

[Dark Lord of Tech]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Power Supply: XFX 550W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($44.99 @ NCIX US)
Total: $44.99
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-09-09 10:23 EDT-0400)

 

[MEC-777]

A 7950 needs a 500w psu, probably less if it is of good quality.
Silverstone should be ok.
Here is a list to estimate quality of psu's:
http://www.eggxpert.com/forums/thread/323050.aspx

A Modular psu may not be what you want. The connectors require extra length.
On a properly sized psu, you will be using most of the leads anyway.
Here is a Seasonic 520w gold rated unit: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151126
It supports the latest sockets. Even if it did not, the very lowest power states that haswell supports need not be used.

Thanks. I will take all that into consideration.

What are your thoughts on this PSU?
XFX Core Edition 550W

It's not Haswell certified, but if I must, I can just disable that function. Boot up times will be lightning with the SSD anyways. 😉

 

[geofelt]

XFX is excellent too.
Looking at the seasonic, and XFX, they are the same price.
Both are 140mm.
The Seasonic is gold rated vs. bronze. Not that that matters much. The big advantage of gold rated is that it will usually be quieter because the fan does not need to run as much.
The Seasonic is slightly stronger with 45a vs. 44a. for the xfx.

Really, take your pick both are excellent brands.

As to boot times, I almost never boot.
I use sleep to ram(S3, no hibernate). It takes 3 seconds to sleep or resume.

 

[MEC-777]

Thanks for your feed back guys. It's looking like the xfx might be the best choice. The only thing is what to do with the extra cables in the tiny Node 304 case... lol

I noticed the seasonic has two 12v rails and the xfx has a single 12v rail. I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to the latest gen CPU's, GPU's, ram, motherboards etc, but I don't know much that about PSU's. I've read from many sources that single 12v rails are much better.

Can anyone elaborate on this?

Thanks.

 

[geofelt]

Thanks for your feed back guys. It's looking like the xfx might be the best choice. The only thing is what to do with the extra cables in the tiny Node 304 case... lol

I noticed the seasonic has two 12v rails and the xfx has a single 12v rail. I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to the latest gen CPU's, GPU's, ram, motherboards etc, but I don't know much that about PSU's. I've read from many sources that single 12v rails are much better.

Can anyone elaborate on this?

Thanks.

Virtually all psu's have a single rail as the underlying power source.
The splitting into multiple rails is a UL safety thing.
It really is a non issue.
Look at the psu data plate which will give you the maximum combined output on all the +12v rails. It is rarely the sum of the individual rails, normally less. That is where most of the power draw takes place.