Differential Temperature, Noise and Weight

Differential Temperature and Noise Levels

 

To simulate real world operation the Silencer 750W power supply was mounted in a modified mid tower case (Lian Li PC60) for testing.  Some of the warm exhaust air from the PSU under test is recirculated back into the case, which allows the internal case air temperature to increase with load, just like it would in a real PC.  The internal case air temperature is allowed to increase up to 40ºC and then held constant from then on at 40ºC. 

 

The differential temperature across the Silencer 750W power supply was calculated by subtracting the internal case air temperature (T in) from the temperature of the warm exhaust air flowing out the back of the power supply (T out). 

 

Thermocouples were placed at the air inlet and exhaust outlet. The ambient room air temperature was 21ºC (70ºF) +/- 0.5ºC during testing.

 

T out = temperature of air exhausting from power supply

T in = temperature of air entering power supply

ΔT = T out – T in

 

Sound pressure level readings were taken 3′ away from the rear of the case in an otherwise quiet room.  The ambient noise level was ~30 dBA. 

 

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 40

 

Below 500W output, the Silencer PSU is relatively quiet (but not silent). Temperatures gradually build as the load increases and above 600W, the cooling fan speeds up to where it is noticeable.  Note the differential temperature actually dropped slightly at maximum load because the cooling fan had kicked into high gear at this point.  Unfortunately, I was not able to measure the SPL when the power supply was running at the higher loads because all the cooling fans on the programmable DC loads were also running at this point. 

 

Physical Size and Weight

 

The PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750W Quad power supply measures: 150 x 86 x 180mm (5.9′ x 3.4′ x 7.1′ W x H x D).  Note the Silencer 750W enclosure is 180mm deep (a standard ATX PSU is 140mm long) so make sure it will fit in your case before purchasing one.

 

And last but not least, a basic measures of any ATX power supply is the unit’s overall physical weight.  This may seem rather simplistic but it generally holds that more industrial grade components and larger heatsinks equal a better PSU.  The following graph illustrates how the Silencer 750W Quad PSU compares to some other popular power supplies on the market.

 

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 41

(click to enlarge)

 

 

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