PSU replacement / Case suggestion

mickets · July 28, 2018

Hi! This is my first post on LTT forum.

I've been using my old PC as a home media server and occasional game streaming through Steam, and want to 'upgrade' it a bit. The PSU has been getting noisier over its lifetime, and at random times it just sets the fan to the max making a lot of noise. I've googled the PSU model and found that it's pretty bad and might endanger my PC (source: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1988049/coolermaster-elite-500w-psu-dangerous-computer.html).

Should I worry and replace it as fast as possible? Or is this a trivial matter and should only replace it if i want to reduce the noise?

The replacement PSU I was thinking of would be Seasonic S12II 430W or 520W (not sure what wattage to pick, and not sure if it has the required cables/connectors -> I know nothing of PSUs).

These are priced 50€ and 53€, respectably. (In Portugal)

As for the case, I was thinking of replacing it with a cheap tower with more 3.5" slots, for future storage expansion.

I could remove the dvd reader, buy two 3.5" to 5.25" adapter and have it all crammed up with no possible future expansion, but this would cost almost as much as a new cheap case.

Any suggestions in this regard?

Also, the only fan powered on is the cpu cooler, as the stock fans got too loud. (Will also replace these... someday)

I'm also thinking of making my drives in raid 1, but I'll post this at a later time in the correct forum. (If I'm able to, I'll link it here)

Mobo: Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0

CPU: AMD FX 6300 (w/ a low profile cooler)

GPU: Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 7770

RAM: Crucial 8gb (2x4gb 1600mhz)

Case: Aerocool V3X Advance Evil Black Edition

Cooling: 1x 80mm; 1x 120mm (both turned off)

Storage: - 120GB Kingston SSDNow V300;

- 1TB Seagate Barracuda;

- 3TB WD Blue;

- 3TB WD Red;

PSU: Cooler Master 500W (rs-500-psap-j3)

mickets · July 28, 2018

23 minutes ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

That's 4th tier, I hear you shouldn't go below 3rd.

Would it really matter? I'm trying to go for a cheap and reliable solution.

Getting something higher would be too much money.

Any group-regulated unit will be placed no higher than Tier 4 due to the dated design of them. This includes Seasonic's S12/M12/M12II, for example. This does not include the S12G.

This is from that post, so they are kinda getting undervalued.

23 minutes ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

The FX-6300 is 95W and a 7770 is 80W to 100W so the 430W would do.

Although I like lots of headroom in a PSU.

I guess the 430W would be the way to go.

23 minutes ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

Those HD 7770s scale really well when in crossfire.

I get around 3300 in Firestrike with one and 6650 in crossfire

with a mild OC no voltage increase.

That's as good as a GTX 1050.

Pretty cool information, tho only got one card and not really looking for extra gaming boost.

23 minutes ago, wONKEyeYEs said:

That MB has 1 x CPU Fan connector(s) (1 x 4 -pin)
3 x Chassis Fan connector(s) (3 x 4 -pin).

ASUS has AISuite to control fan speeds.

So quiet fans unless CPU gets hot.

Planning on getting 2 quiet fans, one in the front and one in the back (if I choose to keep this case that is)

STRMfrmXMN · July 28, 2018

8 hours ago, mickets said:

Reveal hidden contents

Any group-regulated unit will be placed no higher than Tier 4 due to the dated design of them. This includes Seasonic's S12/M12/M12II, for example. This does not include the S12G.

This is from that post, so they are kinda getting undervalued.

They're not being undervalued... they're just not very good. Tier 4 is a bit generous for them nowadays to be quite honest.

A Corsair CX450/CX450M would be a good buy

TVwazhere · July 31, 2018

On 7/28/2018 at 2:15 AM, mickets said:

As for the case, I was thinking of replacing it with a cheap tower with more 3.5" slots, for future storage expansion.

I could remove the dvd reader, buy two 3.5" to 5.25" adapter and have it all crammed up with no possible future expansion, but this would cost almost as much as a new cheap case.

Any suggestions in this regard?

Case: Aerocool V3X Advance Evil Black Edition

Storage: - 120GB Kingston SSDNow V300;

- 1TB Seagate Barracuda;

- 3TB WD Blue;

- 3TB WD Red;