picoPSU with lower rather powerBrick

[Bonebreaker777]

Here's the situation:

Low power HTPC system is given. Owner would like to move it to a smaller case. New desired case can take picoPSU only. Cheapest on eBay are rated 160W (which his build would never draw, not even under load).

Is it OK to pair up the (Max) 160W rather picoPSU with a lower rated brick (80-120w) when his build will draw only 40-50w tops?

I would say yes.but what you guys say?

[scaryjim]

Technically, yes, it's fine. Lots of places sell the 80W and 90W rated picos with a 60W PSu (because 12v/5A is probably the easiest to source). The combination is limited by the lower of the brick power or the pico power rating. Just be sure you check that everything fires up, then tell them it's their problem if anything goes horribly wrong!

The only thing I'd be aware of is making the max power of the brick clear - otherwise he might think "160W picPSU? I should be fine to stick an R7 240 in that." or some such nonsense.

[DDY]

That combo should be ok.

Go by the lowest spec, that is the power brick in your case.

e.g. if the power brick was 200W, you'll be limited to the 160W of the picoPSU.

edit: beaten to it!

[Bonebreaker777]

Fully understood fellas. The questioning person wanted to see my advice to be echoed before following it (some people just don't trust anybody).

[peterb]

Just be aware that the Manufacturer recommends forced our cooling of the Pico PSU when it is operated near or at its full power rating. If you are under rating the primary power supply, you should be OK. However, the PSU also needs to meet the transient switch on surge at power up.