DC Load Regulation and AC Ripple
DC Output Load Regulation
To simulate real world and maximum loading conditions, the SilverStone SX600-G PSU was connected to the load testers and supplied with a constant 115 VAC. In this test we are interested in seeing how well a PSU can maintain the various output voltages while operating under different loads.
The ATX12V V2.2 tolerance for voltages states how much each output (rail) is allowed to fluctuate and has tighter tolerances now for the +12V outputs. I have also included a second table of expanded tolerances (±1% to ±6%) for reference.
The following tables list the DC voltage results for the PSU while operating on 115 VAC, 60 Hz.
The SX600-G PSU produced very good load regulation on all of the outputs across the full range of loads. All of the DC outputs stayed easily within ±3% of their target values, which is what SilverStone claims for this power supply.
AC Ripple and Noise on the DC Outputs
The amount of AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs was checked using a digital oscilloscope. This AC component may be present in the KHz range where most switching power supplies operate or it may be more prevalent at the 60 Hz line frequency. We adjust the O-scope time base to look for AC ripple at both low and high frequencies. The ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output noise/ripple is defined in the ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide.
Ideally we would like to see no AC ripple (repetitive) or noise (random) on the DC outputs – the cleaner the better! But in reality there will always be some present. I measured the amplitude of the AC signal (in millivolts, peak-to-peak) to see how well the power supply complied with the ATX standard. The following table lists the ripple/noise results during all of the load tests for the main output voltages of interest.
The SX600-G power supply exhibited good AC ripple suppression and stayed well below the recommended ATX guidelines. However, these values are a lot higher than we are used to seeing with most modern high quality ATX PSUs. Filtering capacitors take up a relatively large amount of space and obviously this is one area where the designers had to make a few compromises.
I am building a mITX PC at
I am building a mITX PC at the moment, and liked the size, design and layout of a lot of Silverstone’s SUGO and MILO cases, but most take SFX PSUs. The price for a SFX PSU is hard to justify. I ended up with a SG08-LITE because it takes ATX PSUs, and got a Corsair CX600M for $54, vs the $130 Silverstone SX600-G.
That is a tradeoff with
That is a tradeoff with smaller builds, you get the convenience of a physically smaller computer and the advantages of that, but the build is often more involved, and the price has a premium. It sounds like you weighed those pros and cons and went with something that would fit your needs. That being said, if you didn’t need 600 watts, and most single GPU systems won’t even come close to that, the Silverstone ST55F-G 550 watt is $115, and the ST45SF 450 watt is $80. That is not a terrible price premium for a quality PSU.
Well i do own one of these
Well i do own one of these and i got to say:
Yes it is expensive but it uses high quality components and its the only 600W SFX PSU out there.
If other manufactures would build more SFX PSUs, Silverstone might drop prices.
The number of mini-ITX cases
The number of mini-ITX cases has increased lately, so maybe more companies will start making SFX power supplies. Nexus used to make short (125 mm) ATX power supplies, but not any more. I wish Seasonic would build an SFX power supply.
The new SX500-LG power supply, a 500 W SFX-L unit, has been posted on the Silverstone site, but it has not started to ship yet. Hopefully the extra 30 mm of length that allows the use of a 120 mm fan will result in a quieter power supply that is still very small.
Nice, this might allow me to
Nice, this might allow me to use the flex hard drive bays from my Caselabs M8 with my M3. Technically they fit, but with a normal size PSU, you can’t plug in the drives since they’re too close to the PSU.
I have this power supply and
I have this power supply and it works well but I do have a high pitch squeeling noise coming from it when the computer isn’t powered on. its a bit annoying.
Is this the 430w or 600w
Is this the 430w or 600w version? and when did you buy it?
got same problem…
got same problem…
I don’t notice any noises
I don’t notice any noises coming from mine.
I went for this over the 600w because it had the nice cables included.
Expensive power supply but not much competition. Modular was handy because it meant I could plug in to the motherboard first and also didn’t need to use the peripherals cable.
*the 600w over the 450….
*the 600w over the 450….
It’s a bit of a shame they
It’s a bit of a shame they have a nice black PSU, then include a boring plain metal adapter plate for ATX in it… looks nasty in a black case.