PicoPSU or DC/DC converter mobo?.

[mandawebs]

Hello,

I am building a mini-ITX server to be dedicated to playing music... the audiophile way.

As such audiophile, there is a degree of paranoia in that; no fans, the lowest amount of moving parts possible, the purest power and the lowest EMI/RFI emissions.

I was considering buying a PicoPSU, and the review done by Jonny has been helping a lot. Still, I have doubts about using some motherboards that have onboard DC/DC converters, and are powered by an external 12v power brick.

Any idea of what approach could be better?. I guess in the DC/DC converter motherboards you have to pay attention, first, to the external brick quality... but also to the motherboard DC/DC converter quality, for which I have not seen a lot of serious studies or benchmarks (like the one for PicoPSU).

Any opinion or experience you could share?.

Thanks. Best regards,

Manda.

[jonnyGURU]

Fact of the matter is, these days 99% of the motherboards out there use DC to DC for most of what's on the motherboard.

The tolerance of these VRM's are BETTER than a Pico PSU or even the DC to DC in a modern PSU because the circuit is made to power something specific on the motherboard and the manufacturer knows exactly how much power that circuit needs to deliver.

Get a good motherboard from a known good manufacturer and you'll be fine. ;)

[mandawebs]

Many thanks for your answer.

So, if I understand right, a DC powered motherboard can be better than any other option.

Sorrt for the compromising question, but... for mini-ITX motherboards, would you count on any other brand aside ASUS and Gygabyte?. I am strictly talking about the quality of the power management and regulation.

Thanks,

Iván.

[Tator Tot]

Both AsRock (a subsidiary of Asus but now it's own established brand) and Zotac make quality boards.

Zotac being the brand that specializes in them.

[mdk777]

I am strictly talking about the quality of the power management and regulation.

Thanks,

All the major brands have various degrees of quality. Power management on the enthusiast boards tends to be more robust(as compared to utility versions from the same brand) to facilitate OC usage.

S... you tend to get what you pay for. :D