Matx motherboard + Mini itx Psu ?

[ZERO]

Hi all,

Looking to build a small media center but trying to save some money by using spare parts i have laying around.

So as the title states i was wondering is it possible to use a mini itx psu with a matx motherboard?

Was looking at something like this:

http://www.itx-warehouse.co.uk/Produ...?ProductID=253

spec of system

Abit nf m2
Amd x2 5200
2 gb ram
slim dvd drive
hard drive

thanks in advance

[DDY]

It'll work but you'd also need a 12Vdc 200W PSU to go with that which don't come cheap. It's much cheaper to go with a standard ATX PSU.

Even if you did go for that power board alone (plus delivery) it still costs roughly the same as a good ~350W PSU, e.g. £33 would buy you an Antec earthwatts 380W or Seasonic S12 330W PSU.

[peterb]

Just had a look for something like a laptop PSU that would deliver 12 V at 15 A - hard to find! However, although the mini PSU you linked to has a max power handling capability of 200W - you need to look at the power requirements of the mobo you are planning to use it with - if (for example) it only takes 80 Watts, then you could possibly use a 120W laptop psu with it - but it will need a bit of careful thought in the design.

[DanceswithUnix]

I always figure that you need a fan in there somewhere to get rid of the heat from the CPU out of the case, it may as well be a big 120mm one on the underside of a PSU.

[s_kinton]

I use a 1u PSU in my HTPC...very quiet and compact. Its the Seasonic 250w, here: http://linitx.com/viewproduct.php?prodid=12015

LinITX have a decent range of small PSUs, both internal and external. The 250w Seasonic is enough to power my AMDx2, 2Gb DDR2, Abit AN-M2HD etc

[DDY]

Just had a look for something like a laptop PSU that would deliver 12 V at 15 A - hard to find! However, although the mini PSU you linked to has a max power handling capability of 200W - you need to look at the power requirements of the mobo you are planning to use it with - if (for example) it only takes 80 Watts, then you could possibly use a 120W laptop psu with it - but it will need a bit of careful thought in the design.

I've built a similar system and it consumes 180W minimum! Hence suggesting a 200W PSU.

The problem with many laptop PSUs, the ones over 120W tend to supply voltages over 12v like 19v, the PSUs which do supply 12v are very expensive, I bought a 150W one after weeks of research for £60.

[ZERO]

Thanks for the help guys, am going to look into the psu you linked s kinton seems like a better option for me. thanks again