Silverstone Zeus 750w ST75ZF Quad Rail PSU
Testing
Published: 10th 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.
Good results from both the +3.3v and +5v rails here. Neither dropped by any significant amount and both remained well within ATX specifications. These results should make those who enjoy pumping lots of voltage through their RAM very happy, as major drops in voltage on these rails (dependant on motherboard used) can cause serious RAM stability issues.
I was nothing short of stunned by the results from the +12v rails. So much so that I actually tested my equipment on another Power Supply to ensure it was working correctly.
None of the 4 rails dropped below 12.00v and most only experienced a drop of 0.02v with a 10a load applied to each of the rails - that is simply AMAZING.
Silverstone have clearly spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that the Zeus is of the highest quality, and in my opinion, this places the unit directly in fierce competition with the likes of PCP&C and Zippy.
Noise Testing
At present Overclock3D doesn't have the correct equipment to reproduce accurate stats on the dBA output, so for the moment you will have to rely on my ear :)
The Zeus is not a quiet Power Supply - I will say that now. From what I could tell the installed fan appears to run at 100% even when idle. As stated on the previous pages, the Zeus uses a Sanyo Denki San Cooler 80mm fan that pushes 42cfm at 34dBA.
Having listened to various fans, I would say that the noise output is closer to 30dBA. The installed fan does not make any mechanical or high pitched noises, just the noise of air turbulence which is to be expected.
Check back on this review at a later date for professional noise level testing results.
None of the 4 rails dropped below 12.00v and most only experienced a drop of 0.02v with a 10a load applied to each of the rails - that is simply AMAZING.
Silverstone have clearly spent a lot of time and effort ensuring that the Zeus is of the highest quality, and in my opinion, this places the unit directly in fierce competition with the likes of PCP&C and Zippy.
Noise Testing
At present Overclock3D doesn't have the correct equipment to reproduce accurate stats on the dBA output, so for the moment you will have to rely on my ear :)
The Zeus is not a quiet Power Supply - I will say that now. From what I could tell the installed fan appears to run at 100% even when idle. As stated on the previous pages, the Zeus uses a Sanyo Denki San Cooler 80mm fan that pushes 42cfm at 34dBA.
Having listened to various fans, I would say that the noise output is closer to 30dBA. The installed fan does not make any mechanical or high pitched noises, just the noise of air turbulence which is to be expected.
Check back on this review at a later date for professional noise level testing results.
Most Recent Comments
Review authorised and now live 
Nice Jim. Looks like a real beast of a PSU 
Jesus - that is rated with twice as much power as my current PSU!
I'm liking the current idea of only needing to plug in the connections you want - leaves a nice tidy box (as the actress said to the bishop).
I'm liking the current idea of only needing to plug in the connections you want - leaves a nice tidy box (as the actress said to the bishop).
Quote:
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Originally Posted by mr_fishbulb
Jesus - that is rated with twice as much power as my current PSU!
I'm liking the current idea of only needing to plug in the connections you want - leaves a nice tidy box (as the actress said to the bishop). |
Coming up soon is a Silverstone Strider 600w Modular review - should be a nice bit of kit
Very nice PSU, it looks very solid and with the performance to back it up. How good were those 12V rails? Awesome review again XMS 
It also worries me slightly that 18a might not even be enough to power the latest generation of ATI cards (x1900xtx) especially when used in crossfire mode as the current draw from these cards is quite unbelievable.
120.6w according to xbitlabs if yoi wanted to know specific numbers
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gpu-consumption2006_4.html
but all in all a good review but a way to pricy psu for my taste.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Raven
120.6w according to xbitlabs if yoi wanted to know specific numbers
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/video/display/gpu-consumption2006_4.html but all in all a good review but a way to pricy psu for my taste. |
However, now that Silverstone have confirmed that they are re-arranging the PSU rails, this problem doesn't really apply.
Cheers for the linkage
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='XMS'
So thats a good 10a for a single card (despite hearing some cards drawing more).
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We utilize a special modified mainboard that has special shunts attached to PCI Express x16 power lanes as well as we attach the shunt into additional 12V power connectors that some of the graphics cards have.
but wouldnt surprise me at all if it differers between manufactures too, some like to raise the speed and/or use faster memories for example.
do you have any thoughts of starting to measure power consumption like this ?
at present time i have no reason to believe xbitlabs measurements are off, i looked at them before i bought my 7800gt and come to the conclusion my psu could manage the extra load and it has, flawless.
Yes, different cards with different stock speeds and different cooling solutions will change the power draw slightly. For example some pre-overclocked cards use slightly higher voltages on memory/core to achieve the stability. Also on the x1800 series for example, different revisions of cards had either 5 or 6 phase power i believe.
As for OC3D measuring power consumption, this is not something we are planning on performing at present, but if there is a need for it then we'll certainly look into getting the equipment.
However, on the PSU side of things, we will very shortly be measuring: Power Consumption (for Efficiency), Noise and Heat. The key thing for us is making sure that all of these tests are performed under the same conditions, so results are comparable.
As for OC3D measuring power consumption, this is not something we are planning on performing at present, but if there is a need for it then we'll certainly look into getting the equipment.
However, on the PSU side of things, we will very shortly be measuring: Power Consumption (for Efficiency), Noise and Heat. The key thing for us is making sure that all of these tests are performed under the same conditions, so results are comparable.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='XMS'
As for OC3D measuring power consumption, this is not something we are planning on performing at present, but if there is a need for it then we'll certainly look into getting the equipment.
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also interesting to know if a current psu can manage the load or not, not everyone can just go out and buy a stronger psu if problem should arise.
one simple way but not so accurate is to only measure the pcie power cable, remember some site measuring that way back in the agp days.
However, on the PSU side of things, we will very shortly be measuring: Power Consumption (for Efficiency), Noise and Heat. The key thing for us is making sure that all of these tests are performed under the same conditions, so results are comparable.
for psu's efficiency and noise is the 2 most interesting aspects so will be interesting to se it comming
if you havent already guessed it i chose components to minimize power usage but still be powerfull for what i do.
This was one of my fist PSU's, but I returned it for how loud it was. I remember it being amazing power though
Eguy, you're slightly off again Yours was the 650W. This is the recently released, Etasis made (650 was Enhance) 750W 
Yours was the 650W. This is the recently released, Etasis made (650 was Enhance) 750W 
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