Silverstone Strider 560w ST56F ATX PSU
Testing
Published: 23rd May 2006 | Source: Silverstone | Price: |
In order for the results from all current and future PSU reviews to remain fair and comparable, Overclock3D uses a custom built Power Supply load stress tester.
The tester is capable of placing loads on the following rails:
+3.3v - 20a Load
+5.0v - 20a Load
+12v1 - 10a Load
+12v2 - 10a Load
+12v3 - 10a Load
+12v4 - 10a Load
(or 40a on a single +12v rail)
The results are collected from a Mastech MAS-345 Multimeter which logs its readings via RS232 to a PC.
Some very impressive results on both the +3.3v and +5v rails for the ST56F. Both rails remained well within ATX 2.0 specification of 5%. Don't forget that a little tweaking of the adjustable pots inside the PSU could provide even better results for these rails.
Yet another set of impressive results from such a small power supply. +12v1 performed very well, staying within the 12.0v marker, however +12v2 dipped slightly lower down to 11.91v. Under most circumstances this voltage dip would not be a problem as it still remains within ATX 2.0 specification of 5%, however it is worth noting that the voltage could be increased using the 'pots' inside the power supply if required.
Temperature Testing
Quite often, the cooling methods employed by some manufacturers are inadequate, and result in heat from the power supply finding its way back into your case.
Temperature Testing
Quite often, the cooling methods employed by some manufacturers are inadequate, and result in heat from the power supply finding its way back into your case.
The OC3D Temperature Tester involves placing the power supply into a standard ATX case, and measuring temperatures at various places around the power supply after 30 minutes at idle and full load on the OC3D PSU Tester.
Ambient: Room temperature taken approx 10ft away from testing equipment.
In: Temperature taken 5" away from the PSU ventilation grill inside the case.
Out: Temperature taken 5" away from the PSU fan at the back of the case.
Under idle conditions the ST56F only raised the case temperature by 1.5°C over ambient pushing most of the heat from the power supply out of the back of the case.
Under load conditions the ST56F raised the case temperature by only 2.2°C, which is very good news for those of us with small cases and not many case fans. The highest temperature that the air expelled out of the back of the unit was 28.1°C which would lead me to believe that this power supply is very efficient.
Noise Testing
After reading that this power supply would be a minimum of 21dbA on the packaging, and then finding out that the ADDA fan cooling the unit was rated at 39.1dBA @ 12v, I wasn't holding out much hope of this unit being silent under load conditions. However...
Under idle conditions, the ST56F was completely inaudible to my ear at around 30cm from the unit. Only when I moved my ear right up next to the power supply fan could I hear a very silent hum.
Under load conditions the ST56F did start to get a bit noisy. At 30cm away from the unit I could hear the fan blowing at what I would say was around 25dBA. With the power supply installed in a case and the door shut, the noise was reduced to more acceptable levels - but maybe slightly more than HTPC users would like.
In: Temperature taken 5" away from the PSU ventilation grill inside the case.
Out: Temperature taken 5" away from the PSU fan at the back of the case.
Under idle conditions the ST56F only raised the case temperature by 1.5°C over ambient pushing most of the heat from the power supply out of the back of the case.
Under load conditions the ST56F raised the case temperature by only 2.2°C, which is very good news for those of us with small cases and not many case fans. The highest temperature that the air expelled out of the back of the unit was 28.1°C which would lead me to believe that this power supply is very efficient.
Noise Testing
After reading that this power supply would be a minimum of 21dbA on the packaging, and then finding out that the ADDA fan cooling the unit was rated at 39.1dBA @ 12v, I wasn't holding out much hope of this unit being silent under load conditions. However...
Under idle conditions, the ST56F was completely inaudible to my ear at around 30cm from the unit. Only when I moved my ear right up next to the power supply fan could I hear a very silent hum.
Under load conditions the ST56F did start to get a bit noisy. At 30cm away from the unit I could hear the fan blowing at what I would say was around 25dBA. With the power supply installed in a case and the door shut, the noise was reduced to more acceptable levels - but maybe slightly more than HTPC users would like.
Most Recent Comments
Nice as usual Jim 
Looks pretty solid. He likes his adjustable pots^
Looks pretty solid. He likes his adjustable pots^
Me lurfs adjustable pots
CSS Valid
(ooh, and they've got adjustable pots
Here