micro ATX PSUs

[Astrix]

i´m researching my first build.
i want to build a sff pc for gaming; so I´m planning on going down the SLI root.
i´m worried about running into power supply trouble beacuse of having to use a microATX PSU.
for example this barebones deal from shuttle
http://eu.shuttle.com/en/desktopdefa...70_read-11121/
has a 350w SilentX psu. i´m not sure if i should trust that psu for power rating/stabillty.

the questions:
does anybody know if the psu in that link is reliable?
will it be stable/powerful enough for when i eventually use 2 GPUs?
(most importantly) does anybody know of a top quality name brand PSU company making micro ATX PSUs?

any advice appreciated

[glc]

There isn't a micro ATX power supply made that is SLI-certified, and this is the only one at Newegg that even claims SLI support:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817181110

I do *NOT* trust that brand. Not only that, it's noisy and only has 17 amps on a single +12v rail.

[Astrix]

thanks glc

Originally Posted by glc I do *NOT* trust that brand. Not only that, it's noisy and only has 17 amps on a single +12v rail.

just to understand clearly- do you mean the brand in your post or mine or both?
also if a psu doesn´t support SLI does that mean that it won´t run two GPUs or that it wont run the SLI board even if it only has one GPU installed? i ask because i was thinking of getting an SLI board now but only getting a second graphics card when games have moved on a fair bit & then maybe (hopefully) mATX PSUs will have advanced.

[MakeYourslf2012]

If a PSU doesn't support SLI, it means that it most likely doesnt have the PCI-E graphics card power connectors. However, a PSU can be "SLI ready" and NOT "SLI Approved"; which basically mean the "Ready" units could not gain approval and wont deliver that the power 2 graphics cards (along with the motherboard and other periphials) needs.

If you want to build and SLI system, your going to need an ATX 2.0 SLI Approved unit. I'd stick with Antec, Enermax, and PC Power and Cooling PSU's for SLI builds.

The unit in your barebones kit is only a 350W, which is just not enough power. Plus, would not even support SLI at all - it doesnt have the PCI-E graphics card power connectors (which is required for 6800 GPUs and up).

[glc]

My post. It *might* run 2 GPU's but not too likely with that low a 12 volt rating. It may even have problems with a single card. Nvidia wants dual +12v rails and 30 amps total for SLI. Your first instinct for trouble with micro ATX is pretty accurate.

[Astrix]

ok guys thanx for the help.
i´m going to have a think about what options are open to me. i´m still in the research stage so i´m nowhere near spending money and therefor making a pos mistake yet.
meanwhile any suggestions ideas on how i can build an sff pc with good upgrade (prefferably sli) future options are welcome here.

[glc]

All you can do right now is hope that someone will be able to build a proper SLI micro ATX power supply one of these days - or bite the bullet and use a case that will take a standard size unit.

[Astrix]

there´ll be no biting the bullet! i really won´t be able to use a bigger case.
maybe i can just get a system like that Shuttle and stick with 1 weaker graphics card until, as you say, somebody sometime makes a decent mATX SLI psu (what a lot of letters )