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External or internal power supply for consoles?
- Thread starter Overflow
- Start date
They're probably too large for a console, but it makes me wonder if server-style power supplies would be feasible:
Internal to the system, but standardized and easily replaced if it dies.
I would honestly do without cramped PSU with ultra-loud 40mm fan (and you will need a fan for a server-style PSU since there would be no air circulation otherwise).
Anyway, a well designed console with internal PSU would have no heat or noise problem, for sure not with 90+ efficiency power supply like it should be the norm in 2020.
I really see no advantages in having an external power supplies as long as we get a quality internal one (the only power supplies I've seen die are the cheap one, and it's not like changing the internal PSU of a PlayStation is difficult anyway) while I appreciate saving some space below my TV since consoles, soundbar and decoders do already take up a lot of space.
I guess it all really depends on how small a ~300 watt (or whatever the power draw for PS5/Xbox 4 is) PSU can be made.
I mean, obviously you don't want what goes inside a high-end server, since they have very small PSUs relative to their power rating and noise is not a concern so they have the loudest fans ever.
But you could have a 150-200W PSU in a similar enclosure with a low RPM fan in there - similar in size to the 360/One power bricks (which also have fans) but you have the benefit of it being both internal, and easily replaced.
As someone who often takes my consoles on planes, anything that keeps the space down is a good thing, so internal it is. I've never had issues with noise though on either my launch PS4 or my launch PS4 Pro.
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;)
Also, internal is way better. I hate those huge bricks laying around on the floor.
External, because I when I used to import alot of the older consoles from the states, all I had to do was switch to a UK power brick, no messing about with step-down transformers or risk frying the console if it had an internal power supply.
And yet the power brick's fan is the most noisey thing of the Xbox 360 S/E.
That's an interesting point I never even considered. I guess it wouldn't ever effect me, but it's something I could see being pretty important to some people.
Preferable if they can manage a design with the PSU on the inside without any notable downsides.
But if an external PSU makes for a significant enough temperature or noise decrease, then I'd take a brick on the floor behind the TV that I never see again and forget exists five minutes after I've plugged it in.
But if an external PSU makes for a significant enough temperature or noise decrease, then I'd take a brick on the floor behind the TV that I never see again and forget exists five minutes after I've plugged it in.