this post was submitted on 06 May 2025
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Hi everyone,
for 20 years now i run servers in my own home to host my stuff. Because i am living in europe with quite high price tags for electricity i am always searching for ways to make my servers more power efficient.

But finding a power efficient ATX PSU with performes well in ranges around 20-25W, where my server idles most of the time, is quite challenging.

Dont get me wrong, the Server has an very efficient PSU, a Super-Flower SF450P14XE Golden Green Pro but thats now 14 years old (but serves me well). I bought it for 55€ back in the days.
Over the years i tried various budget insider tips regarding efficent PSU's (for example the Cooler Master MWE400) which all were also good but not better than the 14 year old Super Flower, which i think is kind of sad.

Just yesterday i tried a 160W PicoPSU combined with a 150W DELL DA-1 powerbrick (which should also be quite efficient), but it was the same. My Server used 1-3W more than with the Super-Flower.

Long story short: are there any efficient PSU out there that you can recommend for loads around 20-25W, that dont have a price tag like a kidney on the blackmarket?

I also have seen people trying to mod old Dell Server PSU with are 750W with platinum rating an are cheap on ebay, but thats another story.

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[–] adrian@50501.chat 1 points 10 hours ago (1 children)

I wonder if you'd get better mileage out of a high efficiency 12v brick, and a 5v and 3.3v DC-DC converter? Without changing your hardware out for a NUC or Raspberry Pi, I'm not sure if you can really go lower power. Maybe install a solar panel on your balcony for free electricity lol

[–] bjoerns@piefed.social 1 points 10 hours ago

Four Solarpanels are already in place to reduce our overall power consumption. Changing the hardware would also mean less computing power. I also use the server to recode stuff to x265.

Nevertheless, i just bought a used LC-Power LC6460GP4 for 16€ (plus shipping). 460W, 80+ Gold Rating. I think i will give that a try, maybe it is at least as efficient as the SuperFlower so i have a good replacement plus it is semi modular.