Question 600 watt Pico ATX power supply available? Does it provide sufficient power for a mini ITX project?
Question 600 watt Pico ATX power supply available? Does it provide sufficient power for a mini ITX project?
Hello, I plan to construct a computer in a compact space or case. I’ll need a Pico ATX power supply. I came across a 600 watt Pico ATX unit and am wondering if this is feasible with a Pico power supply. Will it be sufficient for my setup? My system specifications are as follows:
Motherboard: Asrock IMB-1220-D industrial Mini ITX
Processor: Intel i9-10900 65watt 10th generation socket 1200
Memory: 2 sticks of DDR4 32gb 2933
Graphics card: Nvidia PNY or PNY Nvidia T1000 8gb gddr6 50 watt
Storage: Samsung 870 EVO 4tb 2.5 inch SATA hard drive
PCIe x16 adapter vertical 90 degree
The 600 watt Pico power supply claims include 5v 7amp, 3.3v 6amp, 12v1 43 amp, -12v 1amp and 5vsd 3amp outputs. I’m worried about the voltage rails being too weak today. How strong should these rails be now? The 12v rail seems adequate, but I’m unsure about the others.
Powering a compact area is straightforward. Removing heat from such a space presents challenges. I’ve worked with Sugo 13, a mini-ITX 2.6L case, and currently run a laptop with an RTX4050. A 600W PSU isn’t particularly small either. However, these details aren’t central to this discussion.
PicoPSUs offer a wide range of ratings but typically maintain a similar size. The key point is that most PicoPSUs and standard ATX PSUs today don’t provide much +3.3V or +5V. This means the PicoPSU mainly needs a small circuit to step down +12V to +3.3V and +5V, while the remaining power capacity relies on a few high-current MOSFETs to handle DC current. A unit with a 2.2mohm RDSon and 40A capability can easily manage 480W at 12V with minimal heat generation.
CPUs and GPUs generally draw from +12V, while +3.3V and +5V power peripherals like the motherboard. Desktop PSUs still retain some +3.3V and +5V for devices such as multiple SSDs or HDDs. For a minimal PC with few components, the PicoPSU suffices.
The question about the PSU model arises because many sellers list wattage and amp ratings without providing accurate details. Is the 600W figure valid? You might only need around 200W.
I'm thinking about adding just a flex atx now.
DPS-400AB-12 A from Delta electronics.
Not sure if it provides enough power. It has two 12-volt rails, each rated for 21 amps, totaling 32.5 amps.
How does this work? The question is about how the rails combine—especially since they have separate circuits. If they're independent, how would the 12V rails sum up to reach 32.5 amps?
There is just one transformer winding that produces all the 12V. This winding (along with the switching components) can handle up to 32.5A. It divides into several cables or cable groups, referred to as "rails." Each rail is limited to a maximum of 20A, which may be due to ATX standards or other regulations. This setup is similar to how your home uses multiple 25A circuits from a higher-capacity external line.
I can install the flex atx power supply in my setup, but I need it to be open-framed. Would potting the flex be safe? I’m concerned the PSU might fail due to heat. It has an air cooling system with a 40mm fan. I’m thinking about potting the power supply and then using airflow to cool it. Since it will be close to other components, I’m unsure if that’s the best approach. I’m assembling a PC inside a large PlayStation 2 model, so space is limited. I should still fit my board and graphics card. The main problem is getting enough power. The strongest PSUs won’t suit my components well. I’ll share some photos later.