My new music server

[realysm42]

I've built myself a new media PC; here's the spec:

Streacom fc5 case (without optical drive)
Amd sempron 2 cores @2.5ghz
Gigabyte mini atx mobo am3
Pico 150w silent PSU
Geil ddr3 8gb @ 1333mhz cas 9-9-9-24 (1t)
2x ssd, one for os and one for storage with sata noise filters on each
Os is w8 64

First truly silent PC I've (not) heard.

Runs OS perfectly as we'll as Jriver without a hitch, I'm really happy with the case, not seen the CPU get hotter than 37c under a prime 95 load and it looks like part of the set up now

I couldn't resist the urge to tinker with the feet on the bottom as the metal cups that hold the rubber feet are a perfect fit for RDC cones, so it and its PSU are fully isolated now

Going from 4gb to 8 provided a nice boost to playing from memory, zero buffer time.

Anyone gone this route and taken it a step further with a linear PSU?

[Ali Tait]

I have a linear supply on mine, but I cheated and bought an NVA TFS. Great bit of kit IMHO.

[realysm42]

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[Tim]

Anyone gone this route and taken it a step further with a linear PSU?

You are on the way to a very good set-up there Martin and adding a linear PSU will pay dividends. There are lots of routes you can go down here, depending on looks and budget. Bench supplies have a lot going for them, at relatively low cost - at the moment I have a Voltcraft bench supply, which betters a standard SMPS. But if you want the best then get yourself a Paul Hynes, either a ready built PSU or a regulator and build it yourself, which is my next project. MartinT has posted good threads about Paul's regulators, with tips on how to build one.

Have fun, there's a lot to be had out there and a lot of satisfaction from doing it yourself

[Gazjam]

The Paul Hynes regs make a really good improvement.
Just make sure the PSU can meet the potential current draw a PC can pull?

If your using it strictly for music should be ok though.

[realysm42]

How am I meant to know how many amps to specify?

I know it needs to be bang on 12v (all yellow pico PSUs need this). Is it harmful to ask for a 10a PSU if I only need 5, for example?

[Gazjam]

not at all Martin.
the server will only pull what it needs.

No harm over speccing it, power supplies actually run at their most electrically efficient when delivering considerably less than their maximum output. The concern is if the psu cant supply enough.

This wont translate to better sound though.

[realysm42]

Cheers Gaz.

[337alant]

I've built myself a new media PC; here's the spec:

Streacom fc5 case (without optical drive)
Amd sempron 2 cores @2.5ghz
Gigabyte mini atx mobo am3
Pico 150w silent PSU
Geil ddr3 8gb @ 1333mhz cas 9-9-9-24 (1t)
2x ssd, one for os and one for storage with sata noise filters on each
Os is w8 64

First truly silent PC I've (not) heard.

Runs OS perfectly as we'll as Jriver without a hitch, I'm really happy with the case, not seen the CPU get hotter than 37c under a prime 95 load and it looks like part of the set up now

I couldn't resist the urge to tinker with the feet on the bottom as the metal cups that hold the rubber feet are a perfect fit for RDC cones, so it and its PSU are fully isolated now

Going from 4gb to 8 provided a nice boost to playing from memory, zero buffer time.

Anyone gone this route and taken it a step further with a linear PSU?

THey are lovely looking cases from quiet PC I have just ordered an FC10 case, Im just a bit unsure about the size of it though I thought they were quite small but Ive just noticed the actual dimention's on the spec sheet
Still im sure it will still look nice and there should be enough space to build in a nice linear power supply.
I am very happy with the sound quality from my HTPC runing JriverM 18

Alan

[Ali Tait]

not at all Martin.
the server will only pull what it needs.

No harm over speccing it, power supplies actually run at their most electrically efficient when delivering considerably less than their maximum output. The concern is if the psu cant supply enough.

This wont translate to better sound though.

Actually, it might. A well overspecced supply may have less ripple at the required current.