be quiet! 350w SFX Power PSU
Introduction & Specifications
Published: 22nd September 2009 | Source: be quiet! | Price: £44.99 |
Introduction
Visit the power supply section of any reputable online retailer and the choice of quality ATX PSU's is often plentiful. However, if you've ever tried to build a MicroATX or FlexATX system such as a Home Theatre PC or Shuttle system you will have undoubtedly realised that the choice of PSU's is much more limited. In fact, I'd be willing to place a wager that most of you will have swallowed your pride, tried to forget all the stories about what a poor quality PSU can do to your PC and proceeded to build your new system with whatever generic heap of junk came bundled inside the case. Bad idea.
As I've been pushing on OC3D for ages, choosing a decent quality PSU for your PC system whatever its size or application is crucial. Not only are you putting your hardware at risk by choosing an inferior PSU, but if you value silence and want to save a few quid on your electricity bill a quality PSU is an absolute must. One such PSU manufacturer that comes highly recommended from Overclock3D is be quiet! Snugly tucked under the umbrella of parent company Listan, be quiet! made their first big appearance in the UK back in 2008 with a solid 650W ATX PSU from their Dark Power Pro range.
Today however, I'm going to be taking a look at be quiet's first ever SFX (Small Form Factor) PSU. Measuring in at 125x100x63.5mm (WxHxD) with a 350w output, can this diminuitively sized PSU provide small factor PC builders with a decent alternative to the low quality SFX PSU's pre-installed in their system chassis? Let's see what be quiet have to say...
SFX POWER is an ultra-efficient power supply unit that reliably supplies your PC with power and energy in the same way as a human heart supplies the body with energy. Compact and with the latest use of technology SFX POWER meets the demands of a premium product and of course with the customary be quiet! quality low noise levels. SFX POWER are powerful hearts from be quiet! for compact PC systems. Our SFX POWER power supply units provide your PC with maximum power. But you don’t have to compromise on brand, quality or security. In addition to that you are helping the environment, because in developing the SFX POWER we place great value on the efficient use of energy. The result: A high level of energy efficiency of up to 86%.
With a finger on the pulse of technology.
Latest SFX 12V Version 3.2
80mm quality fan
Dual Rail (2 separated 12V rails)
Hold-up time of >17ms (at 100% Last)
Active PFC with a PF of 0.99 >0,9 (at 100% load)
Long service life of up to 100,000 hours at 25° Celsius
As efficient as a heart.
But much more flexible.
1x PCIe connector
Worldwide mains supply compatibility (100 - 240Vac)
Versatile standard connectors
Multiple connection options
Flexible 20/24-Pin mainboard connector
Full power in 24/7 operation
Sleeved cable
Even a PC can have a heart attack.
SFX POWER provide protection.
Outstanding safety kit:
OCP (Over Current Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection),
UVP Under Voltage Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection),
OPP (Over Power Protection)
Internationally proved safety Icons:
With a finger on the pulse of technology.
Latest SFX 12V Version 3.2
80mm quality fan
Dual Rail (2 separated 12V rails)
Hold-up time of >17ms (at 100% Last)
Active PFC with a PF of 0.99 >0,9 (at 100% load)
Long service life of up to 100,000 hours at 25° Celsius
As efficient as a heart.
But much more flexible.
1x PCIe connector
Worldwide mains supply compatibility (100 - 240Vac)
Versatile standard connectors
Multiple connection options
Flexible 20/24-Pin mainboard connector
Full power in 24/7 operation
Sleeved cable
Even a PC can have a heart attack.
SFX POWER provide protection.
Outstanding safety kit:
OCP (Over Current Protection), OVP (Over Voltage Protection),
UVP Under Voltage Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection),
OPP (Over Power Protection)
Internationally proved safety Icons:
| be quiet SFX 350w Rail Layout | ||||||||||
| DC Output | +3.3V | +5V | +12V1 | +12V2 | +12V3 | +12V4 | +12V5 | +12V6 | -12V | +5VSB |
| 20A | 22A | 14A | 16A | - | - | - | - | 0.5A | 2.5A | |
| Max Power | 125W | 350W | 6W | 12.5W | ||||||
| 350W | ||||||||||
With features such as 86% efficiency, dual +12v rails and sleeved cables its easy to forget that we're not looking at the specs of a full fat ATX PSU here. Even when moving on the rail layout chart, the 20/22A distribution on the +3.3v and +5v rails along with 14/16A on the +12v1 and +12v2 rails is very much what would be expected of a 350w ATX unit. Of course, the proof of the SFX Power's capabilities will be in the testing, so lets swiftly move on to the packaging and appearance of the PSU over the next page before we get down to business.
Most Recent Comments
My initial thoughts were that they've done really well to get it so small, but it's a shame about the noise. Then exactly like Peter I wondered how likely it is for a HTPC system to hit full load.
Depends on if you use it for Bluray playback (thus a beefy CPU) or not I guess.
Depends on if you use it for Bluray playback (thus a beefy CPU) or not I guess.
Perfect timing.
Need a HTPC PSU as my relative's HTPC PSU just busted!
Gotta love OC3D.
Need a HTPC PSU as my relative's HTPC PSU just busted!
Gotta love OC3D.
Perfect timing.
Need a HTPC PSU as my relative's HTPC PSU just busted!
Gotta love OC3D.
Glad to be of service :)
@Peter/VB, yeah I doubt in most systems it will come close to 350w so the high load noise won't really be too much of an issue. But on the other hand I do have a Q6600 HTPC with a HD4850 and 3x1TB HDD's, so I might give it a slightly hard time :p
Just wanna make sure before I order, will this fit in an HP Slimline PC? :p
Don't wanna thread hijack. lol
Don't wanna thread hijack. lol
Just wanna make sure before I order, will this fit in an HP Slimline PC? :p
Don't wanna thread hijack. lol
If it takes a standard SFX PSU then yeah I'd say so. We can compare measurements if you're not sure tho ;)
Lol. That's a hell of a HTPC Jim!
I still find the size of the thing amazing. As so many PC parts are getting enormous (men and their size fetish eh) it's great to see some companies going in the opposite way.
I'd love to see how it looks in size against the PCP&C behemoth :D
I still find the size of the thing amazing. As so many PC parts are getting enormous (men and their size fetish eh) it's great to see some companies going in the opposite way.
I'd love to see how it looks in size against the PCP&C behemoth :D
It all really depends if ur buying all the components for a htpc, or ur using gear u have lying about to make one.
The size, or shape, of the unit here wouldn't fit into the htpc I've got at present. It's more the shape of a squashed vhs-video unit - to that extent, the options are to really go with what is supplied with the case. It works, can't remember off-hand if it's 300/350/400 (might be a CiT), but it is a p4 designed psu, with optional replacements coming in the shape of some obscure ebuyer.co.uk stockers. 4 pins to the Q35m mobo has worked to this point.
So really, even with the psu being aimed at the smaller case market, u do have to consider the cases this could limit u to.
Imo too, being as this will not be used (or meant for should I say, cos people do some strange things) in some enthusiasts oc'ing, large graphics, loads of drives, rig - it has a limited appeal to the small case people that I don't think warrants a costing of £45 necessarily.
Having said that, it performs close to the quality of a regular atx of similar wattage. Therein lies the reason u would have to submit.
More than anything tho, I like the idea that the option is out there. Too many things pop-up during custom builds, that hamper what u might want to do. Having the shorter depth is great without the loss of quality.
Great stuff.
(another thing this will be good for is replacement psus for dell/compaq etc builds that often have a small-depth psu in them. if u try a regular one in them, u find the dvd drive doesnt fit. great option)
The size, or shape, of the unit here wouldn't fit into the htpc I've got at present. It's more the shape of a squashed vhs-video unit - to that extent, the options are to really go with what is supplied with the case. It works, can't remember off-hand if it's 300/350/400 (might be a CiT), but it is a p4 designed psu, with optional replacements coming in the shape of some obscure ebuyer.co.uk stockers. 4 pins to the Q35m mobo has worked to this point.
So really, even with the psu being aimed at the smaller case market, u do have to consider the cases this could limit u to.
Imo too, being as this will not be used (or meant for should I say, cos people do some strange things) in some enthusiasts oc'ing, large graphics, loads of drives, rig - it has a limited appeal to the small case people that I don't think warrants a costing of £45 necessarily.
Having said that, it performs close to the quality of a regular atx of similar wattage. Therein lies the reason u would have to submit.
More than anything tho, I like the idea that the option is out there. Too many things pop-up during custom builds, that hamper what u might want to do. Having the shorter depth is great without the loss of quality.
Great stuff.
(another thing this will be good for is replacement psus for dell/compaq etc builds that often have a small-depth psu in them. if u try a regular one in them, u find the dvd drive doesnt fit. great option)
Wouldn't this be perfect as the second power-supply in a WC system!
Just thought of that.
Just thought of that.
Wouldn't this be perfect as the second power-supply in a WC system!
Just thought of that.
Yep. It may be a bit old school now but I was also thinking that it would make quite a good TEC/Pelt PSU.
CSS Valid
Shame it's noisy at full load, but for the applications it's aimed at, will it ever reach full load?