First post, by rishooty
So I've decided on a minimalist Win9x DirectX7 build and started on it over the summer. It was originally based on an EPIA-EN12000 board, but then I managed to find a Socket 479 board from BCM: http://www.bcmcom.com/bcm_search_results.asp? … roduct_ID=MX855. Itx pentium M boards have been nearly impossible to find in my experience, so I gladly took the option for a much more powerful cpu given the chance.
My original test build was as follows:
- Antec 300-150 (comes with a proprietary 150W psu)
PSU Ratings: +5V=10, +3.3V=8, +12V=10, -12V=0.2, +5VSB
EPIA-EN12000
512MB of DDR2 400
Slim LG DVD Drive, GCT0N
Generic 120GB 2.5" 5400rpm Sata Drive + IDE to sata adapter
EVGA Geforce FX5200 PCI, Low Profile, 64-Bit
2x80mm Noctua Redux 1200 Fans
Besides the fact that I didn't know the EPIA didn't have an IDE compatibility mode, it worked fine. I just couldn't finish the installation because I didn't have another adapter to use both the dvd and the hdd at the same time. Realizing this fact, and the fact that its digital audio out was a pain to get working with anyway, I decided to switch to the socket 479.
This time around I got a standing IDE adapter to save space, the kind that needs to be powered separately from the drive itself. Now lacking one less fan header from the cpu cooler and needing one extra molex from the adapter, I initially had the dumb idea of daisy chaining the PSU's single molex --> power for SATA2ide adapter and Drive --> power for standalone sata2ide adapter --> molex to 3 pin fan header. I was just too used to overpowered psus that could handle practically anything, so of course, this caused random freezing or no display on starts. I realized the issue when I noticed everything would be fine when I disconnected just about anything, be it the sata adapters or just the FX5200.
I was confused at first and wondered how it could be so power strained when people have reportedly used this case+psu combo with R7 250's, GTX 750 Ti's, and 7750's + i3's or Pentiums with zero issue. Between a number of vogons searches and use of outervision psu calculator, I had just now learned that older GPUs have vastly different power requirements. That is, modern ones use the 12v+ rail and old ones are especially heavy on +3.3v and +5v.
To remediate this issue I've ordered:
- Another power+sata2ide adapter, the standard one from startech. I plan on powering it with a SATA to Floppy adapter so that both adapters don't share the same line.
A sata extension cable to go with the above, as it cannot be plugged in directly where the hdd is mounted. This is why I tried the standalone standing adapter to begin with.
A standard fan splitter so the 2nd fan can just be powered by the fan header instead of chaining off another line.
A Geforce MX4000 for very cheap, as it looks like it fits within the psus requirements a bit better.
So while I have a planned solution, I'm wondering if I'm already in over my head and dealing with such a weak power supply isn't even worth it. Would I be better off switching back to the EPIA-EN? Would downgrading to the MX and separating my power sources help as much as I think it would? Should I just switch to another minimalist case like say, the Geeek A20 so I can at least use a FlexATX? Let me know your opinions. Upgrading the PSU baiscally isn't an option, because the PicoPSU160 or similar has essentially the same ratings.