There's no denying that the SS-430GB showed excellent voltage stability across all of it's main rails with minimal difference between idle and full load results. At no point did any of the results fall outside of  ATX specifications, showing once again that Seasonic invest their R&D where it matters - in the performance.
 

 

The S12II series is quoted as having "up to 85% efficiency" and the results obtained from our testing equipment are certain testament to this. At 203w load we saw the efficiency of the unit comfortably hit 84%, with the full load (406w) results bordering on almost 85%.


Temperature Testing

In our continuing efforts to make power supply reviews more thorough, rather than simply checking voltage stability, Overclock3D will now be recording the temperature of each PSU as it undergoes testing. Temperature recordings will be taken from the underside of the PSU's outer casing at 0%, 50% and 100% load levels using a laser infra-red thermometer in an attempt to gauge how much heat is likely to radiate into the end-users case.
 

 

Being a fairly low wattage unit by today's standards, we certainly weren't expecting any extreme levels of heat to be output by the unit. The results obtained at 0%, 50% and 100% load levels certainly reinforced this theory, with only a 12°c rise in temperature at full load (100%) over the ambient and idle recordings of 22°c.


Noise Level Testing

Possibly the hardest part of any PSU review is summarising the level of noise given out by the unit. The threshold for what is considered 'noisy' varies from person to person and therefore what I may consider a quiet unit, another person may consider extremely loud. For this reason, all reviews from this point forward will be using a dBA meter to measure the level of noise output by the PSU.

All noise measurements are taken in a quiet room with the dB(A) meter located 30cm away from the exhaust fan on the unit at 0%, 50% and 100% load levels.
 

 

With only a 3dB(A) increase in noise output from 0% load to 100% load, it's certainly fair to say that the SS-430GB should more than satisfy the needs of any quiet PC enthusiast or those seeking a silent PSU for their HTPC system. I literally had to put my ear up close to the fan before I could hear any kind of  'whirring' or air movement. Great work Seasonic!