Requirements:
HTPC only (no games, just playing DVD, streaming, and decoding videos).
Intel i3/H55, DVD player, SSD, maybe 1 hard disk in future (right now I use NAS).
Case Antec Fusion Remote.
I want 0 fan noise from 3 feet away, no humming from poor PSU quality, no heat problems, no sacrifice.
The HTPC system will be on every day, for most of the awake hours.
Basically, I want to build a HTPC that is similar to my current Windows Media Extender.
I figure since my HTPC is low power, there won't be any excessive heat problems nor high wattage demands.
PSU Choices:
Fanless
Silverstone Nightjar ST40NF ($160)
SilenX Luxurae Series 400W ($40)
Fan
Nexus NX-5300 ($110)
Hybrid
Seasonic X-650 ($160)
From looking at the cost, my first choice of consideration is the obvious SilenX. I'd rather spend $40 rather than $160. So I ask the question, anything wrong with SileX? If not, then I'd like to go this route and save money, but I'm not sure what kind of problems I may have (won't last long, poor quality, humming noise from the poor electronics used, etc).
My next level in cost would be the Nexus. However, I'm not sure what noise I would hear from the fan from 6 feet away. If there's a chance I can hear the fan, then I'd rather spend $50 more to make sure I don't. Rather spend the extra $50 to make sure I don't have to rebuy another PSU.
Ultimate choice is the Seasonic X-650. Fanless when I'm low power, yet I can have the fan if ever required. But this is $120 more than SilenX. And I don't know if my low power system would ever need a fan. Maybe in the summer when the room temperature is 80º?
This is $50 more than the Nexus, but if the fan is going to remain on, then I'll never have the fanless benefit, and might as well buy the Nexus.
Perhaps this choice is over done for a low wattage system, and the SilenX is sufficient?
I wonder why someone would choose the Nightjar when it is the same price as the Seasonic? The Seasonic seems to be the better deal. Am I missing something?
In order to keep case heat at minimum, considering modular PSU for better air circulation.
Spending the money is relative. I rather spend $160 now to buy something once, than to buy something cheap and having to repurchase every year.
To summarize, I'd like to go with SilenX if I won't be disappointed. However, if I'm going to have problems with SilenX a few months down the road, I'd rather spend the money now and get the Seasonic X-650.
Help me chooseanyone see a problem with SilenX? Or is Seasonic the better choice (unless someone comes up with a better choice)? But...spending $160 for a PSU is crazy!
Thanks,
Jake
HTPC only (no games, just playing DVD, streaming, and decoding videos).
Intel i3/H55, DVD player, SSD, maybe 1 hard disk in future (right now I use NAS).
Case Antec Fusion Remote.
I want 0 fan noise from 3 feet away, no humming from poor PSU quality, no heat problems, no sacrifice.
The HTPC system will be on every day, for most of the awake hours.
Basically, I want to build a HTPC that is similar to my current Windows Media Extender.
I figure since my HTPC is low power, there won't be any excessive heat problems nor high wattage demands.
PSU Choices:
Fanless
Silverstone Nightjar ST40NF ($160)
SilenX Luxurae Series 400W ($40)
Fan
Nexus NX-5300 ($110)
Hybrid
Seasonic X-650 ($160)
From looking at the cost, my first choice of consideration is the obvious SilenX. I'd rather spend $40 rather than $160. So I ask the question, anything wrong with SileX? If not, then I'd like to go this route and save money, but I'm not sure what kind of problems I may have (won't last long, poor quality, humming noise from the poor electronics used, etc).
My next level in cost would be the Nexus. However, I'm not sure what noise I would hear from the fan from 6 feet away. If there's a chance I can hear the fan, then I'd rather spend $50 more to make sure I don't. Rather spend the extra $50 to make sure I don't have to rebuy another PSU.
Ultimate choice is the Seasonic X-650. Fanless when I'm low power, yet I can have the fan if ever required. But this is $120 more than SilenX. And I don't know if my low power system would ever need a fan. Maybe in the summer when the room temperature is 80º?
This is $50 more than the Nexus, but if the fan is going to remain on, then I'll never have the fanless benefit, and might as well buy the Nexus.
Perhaps this choice is over done for a low wattage system, and the SilenX is sufficient?
I wonder why someone would choose the Nightjar when it is the same price as the Seasonic? The Seasonic seems to be the better deal. Am I missing something?
In order to keep case heat at minimum, considering modular PSU for better air circulation.
Spending the money is relative. I rather spend $160 now to buy something once, than to buy something cheap and having to repurchase every year.
To summarize, I'd like to go with SilenX if I won't be disappointed. However, if I'm going to have problems with SilenX a few months down the road, I'd rather spend the money now and get the Seasonic X-650.
Help me chooseanyone see a problem with SilenX? Or is Seasonic the better choice (unless someone comes up with a better choice)? But...spending $160 for a PSU is crazy!
Thanks,
Jake
