I’m replacing my old Dell Optiplex 9010 with a new Lenovo Thinkbox Neo 50T. Huge upgrade as far as the processor and ram but I just discovered that the Thinkbox has a 180W PSU. That seems quite weak - am I going to have issues running Cubase 15? I’m a hobbyist, I use Cubase, occasionally Reaper, I use a Focusrite 2i2 and a few USB devices (but I use a powered hub for most). I’m usually around 20 or so tracks with some Kontakt instruments, SD3, FX inserts with comps, delays, etc…. Other than UI no special graphics needed.
When I purchased the new Lenovo I didn’t even think to look at the PSU. I’m hoping it’s enough to do what I need to do. If not I’ll have to return it an build my own box.
180 sounds very low. I’d never buy an off the shelf PC for Audio work but I’m guessing it will be ok, as long as you’re not wanting to put a graphics card in and plug in a huge amount of usb powered peripherals.
It does sound low! I’m a little concerned about it. I may cancel and build my own. I generally do for my graphics PCs - since music is such a hobby I thought I would just get a pre-built this time.
180W is nonsense with this processor. It means they power-cap it to limit its peak performance. A somewhat cheaper CPU in this case would do the same. Sorry to say that selling an unlocked gamer CPU with this PSU is indeed a bad design decision, a borderline shameful misleading tourist trap…
All that said you should be OK as long as you do not add anything in the PCIe slots, certainly not a big GPU card.
CB should be able to run smoothly but you just overpaid for a Ferrari engine bolted in a Kia chassis.
as JuergenP also saw, there are version with only a 180W PSU according to Lenovo.
But I am very sure that these models have a much lower spec, like max. core i5, 16GB RAM, and 128/256GB SSD, and no external GPU.
If one check the CPU specs, the CPU alone is allowed to consume up to 241W.
So if that is an original equipped Lenovo PC, then I would expect a much more powerful PSU, min, 400W, better 500W.
You may ask the reseller to confirm the actual data.
If he keeps on 180W, then I would not buy.
i9-12900K has a Processor Base Power of 125W and a Maximum Turbo Power of 241W. The total PSU wattage required depends on this plus the other components in your system,
180w is not enough to power the processor let alone the rest of the machine
Working on the return now.