Specifications and Packaging
The SilverStone Nightjar 500W Fanless power supply supports the ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12V standards and is rated for a combined, continuous output power of 500 watts at 25°C. As illustrated in the following table, the max output is de-rated for operating temperatures above 25°C and depending on whether the AC line voltage is 115 VAC or 230 VAC. SilverStone strongly recommends having “forced air cooling” available for the power supply to operate reliably at higher loads and elevated operating temperatures. What this means is you must have good case cooling with airflow over the outside of the power supply (top finned heatsink especially).
(Courtesy of SilverStone)
Instead of using a traditional fan, the Nightjar 500W PSU incorporates a large, passively cooled heatsink on the top surface to dissipate waste heat. The ST50NF features a single +12V output that can deliver up to 38A (456W). The PSU includes universal AC line input (automatically adjusts the AC line voltage) and active PFC, which makes the unit more environmentally friendly to the local power grid.
Specifications (courtesy of SilverStone)
Packaging and Parts
The Nightjar 500W Fanless PSU arrived securely packed inside a large retail box highlighting the unit’s features and specifications. In addition to the power supply the box also contains a power cord, mounting screws, several Velcro cable wraps, and a User’s Manual.
Could you use this setup and
Could you use this setup and turn it into a watercooled unit by adding some heat pipes or something?
The answer to your question
The answer to your question is “Yes, probably?” but the question itself misses the point _entirely_.
IT IS A FANLESS POWER SUPPLY! It is designed to cool itself Without Additional Cooling!
“Requires forced airflow
“Requires forced airflow (case fans) to operate at max output”
I think you were trying to
I think you were trying to make the following point??:
Most power supplies do not have the beefy heat sinks this fanless model has. The application of water blocks etc. would normally be a complete pain, but here we have big, flat chunks of metal to play with, making it bunches of easier.
Yes, you “could” but why even
Yes, you "could" but why even go that route… If you don’t need fanless then just get a good PSU with a quiet fan.
To watercool the ST50NF, you could cut sections of copper tubing and press them into the PSU’s large finned heatsink. Connect the tubes in parallel and add them into your PC’s watercooling loop. Or take a couple old CPU/GPU waterblocks and bolt onto the PSU’s heatsink (after drilling and tapping).
Awful value. You can get
Awful value. You can get Seasonic X-460 or Kingwin Stryker/SuperFlower Golden Silent 500W, both of which are:
-modular
-more efficient
-have better ripple suppresion than this unit.