Suggestions for server build, how much power do I need?

CaliHeat

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Nov 2, 2015
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Hello all,
I built a media server a few months ago. Currently my server is an HP Elite 8200 SFF PC with a Core i7-2600, 4 GB DDR3 RAM, two 8TB HDDs, and one 128GB SSD. The server is running rock solid 24/7 right now. I want to add a 3rd 8TB HDD and 16 GB of RAM in the near future.

The case and mobo will support these upgrades, but I’m worried about the measly 240w proprietary PSU that this SFF PC came with. According to some power calculators I won’t have enough juice, and according to others I will. Also I don’t think there is any way to upgrade it. Not sure what I should do here. Thanks!
 
Solution
Under load, your i7 2600 may consume ~80w, RAM ~20W alltogether, a single HDD would consume 10W at most during load, an SSD 5w most. Fans might add a few watts each.

Your current PSU should be fine, as long as it has sufficient connectors.
I bought a kill-a-watt and tested it extensively. The highest wattage I saw was 132 W while booting, and after that it hovers around 35W during idle. I feel comfortable with that amount of headroom.