Recommend an affordable processor for Blue Ray Encoding. - Page 2

Two issues. First, unless you're planning on using some really top end gaming video card, it looks like you're using more power supply than you possibly need. And with power supplies, that's not just a matter of money, it's a matter of efficiency. When your system is running along using less than 25% of capacity, it's not going to operate efficiently at all. A 400w psu would probably be plenty, but even if you want excess, a 500 would be way more than enough, and there are a lot of great choices. You might list your entire system so we'd have a better idea what your actual requirements are. (if you're using some online PSU calculator, they almost always produce grossly inflated numbers). Even if you wanted modular, you could get a SeaSonic M12II 520 or a PC Power and Cooling Silencer MK III 500W (made by Seasonic) for a lot less than you're paying for that Antec. That Antec is also made by Seasonic.

Second, I've never built in that case, but given it's size, I can't imagine that you need a modular power supply. It certainly doesn't look like it from the pictures in the Anandtech review of that case where they used a Silverstone Strider 750W which is HUGE (about 7 inches deep), and, while that psu is modular, it looks to me like they had plenty of room for wires with no airflow issues. Personally, if it was me, I doubt if I'd worry about a modular psu. Some people like them for the looks; for some cases that lack space for extra wires they're worthwhile, but it doesn't look to me like you need it.

Huh? During start-up, 4 HDDs would use at most around 120W (at 30W per drive, some green 3.5" drives only use 10~15W). During actual operation, power consumption would probably be around 4W per drive. You seriously don't need a massive power supply. Even 300W would do (and would probably be more efficient). I know I mentioned 500W in the generic parts list I posted but I think that's mostly because I saw a SeaSonic 500W on sale for $50.

I think even that peak is about 40W too high. More like 20W or less each even at startup, and during use, even high use, less than 10W. See, for example:

That's why I said at most. I've seen reviews for green drives that reached 25W during start-up so I figure 30W would be more than enough buffer. I also believe I mentioned there were green drives that only use 10~15W during start-up (Western Digital, I think).

You do want a decent 80Plus PSU. Can't go wrong with SeaSonic. Haven't kept up with models from other manufacturers so don't know what else to recommend.