Efficiency, Differential Temperature and Noise
Efficiency
Efficiency is defined by the power output divided by the power input and is usually expressed as a percentage. If a PSU were a 100% efficient (which none are) 600 watts of AC power going in would result in 600 watts of DC power coming out (with no waste heat to dissipate). In the real world there are always inefficiencies and power is lost in the form of heat during the conversion process. Newer revisions to the ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide V 2.2 have continued to increase the efficiency recommendations for PC switching mode power supplies and now lists both required and recommended minimum efficiencies.
We measured the AC power input to the two SilverStone Platinum power supplies with an Extech power analyzer while the total DC load was found by adding all the individual +3.3V, +5V, +12V, -12V and +5VSB loads together.
SilverStone ST55F-PT 550W:
The overall efficiency of the SilverStone ST55F-PT power supply is very good and meets the criteria for 80 Plus Platinum certification.
SilverStone ST75F-PT 750W:
The overall efficiency of the ST75F-PT power supply is also very good and also meets the criteria for 80 Plus Platinum certification.
80 Plus Program
Note: Tests conducted at room temperature (25°C)
Differential Temperature and Noise Levels
To simulate a demanding environment, some of the warm exhaust air from the PSU under test is recirculated back to the intake through a passive air duct, which allows the PSU air inlet temperature to increase with load, up to 40°C.
The differential temperature across the 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 23ºC (74ºF) +/- 0.5ºC during testing.
T out = temperature of air exhausting from power supply
T in = temperature of air entering power supply
Delta T = 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 ~28 dBA.
SilverStone ST55F-PT 550W:
SilverStone ST75F-PT 750W:
*Fan not spinning
During our testing the PSU cooling fan did not start spinning until Test #3 when a 50% load was applied. Once spinning, the fan remained relatively quiet through Test #4 with a 75% load. By the time we reached the 100% load mark the fan noise was very noticeable.
(Courtesy of SilverStone)
To go with the three year
To go with the three year warranty I would like to add that Silverstone has a pretty poor customer service department if you ever have to use their warranty. Communication is poor as they can be hard to get a hold of. This I know from personal experience. I needed additional modular cables and sent them an email. I never heard back from them. Tried to get a hold of them by phone and was un able to. Others I know have had some pretty janky RMA experiences as well. Point is Silverstone, with great PSUs we expect great customer service as well. The market is far to tight to lack in this area and it is so easy to buy another brand.
come on pcper.. that
come on pcper.. that resolution of pictures be a shame for this days … even my outdated phone make better pics , i want see every detail about the pics but this be unceptable… ;(