Silverstone Zeus 850w ST85ZF Quad SLI PSU
Testing
Published: 1st August 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 will be placing the following loads on each of the ST85ZF's rails:
+3.3v - 20a Load
+5.0v - 20a Load
+12v1 - 10a Load
+12v2 - 10a Load
+12v3 - 10a Load
+12v4 - 10a Load
The results are collected from a Mastech MAS-345 Multimeter which logs its readings via RS232 to a PC.
The ST85ZF has some of the most stable +3.3v and +5v rails we've ever tested at OC3D to date. With little to no fluctuation, this brings the ST85ZF in direct competition with the recently reviewed PC Power & Cooling 1kw PSU.
Continuing the trend on the +12v rails, the ST85ZF breezes through our stress testing with a maximum of 0.4% fluctuation on the rails. Yet again, these results place the ST85ZF up against some of the best power supplies we've ever tester here at Overclock3D.
Efficiency Testing
Efficiency tests are performed by measuring the wattage consumed by the power supply at the mains against the power (in watts) consumed by the OC3D power supply stress tester.
The results may not be as accurate as those produced by professional testing equipment, but will certainly come in handy when comparing several power supplies against each other.
Efficiency Testing
Efficiency tests are performed by measuring the wattage consumed by the power supply at the mains against the power (in watts) consumed by the OC3D power supply stress tester.
The results may not be as accurate as those produced by professional testing equipment, but will certainly come in handy when comparing several power supplies against each other.
The Silverstone Zeus 850w was placed under a load of 646 watts. This counts for a total of 76% of the power supplies rated output. At this load, the power supply required 786 watts from the mains to produce the 646 watts required by our custom made power supply tester.
Therefore the efficiency of this power supply can be found by a simple equation: (646 / 786) * 100 that works out to be an efficiency rating of 82.1%.
Noise Testing
At present Overclock3D doesn't have the professional equipment required to reliably measure the noise output of devices. However, as a new part of our testing procedure we will be recording the PSU at idle and load so that you can make your own judgments. All recordings are taken at 30cm distance from the unit.
Idle Recording - Download
Load Recording - Download
As previously stated, the ST85ZF utilises a Sanyo Denki San Cooler 80mm fan, which pushes a 42cfm at 34dBA when running at full speed. Thankfully Silverstone have implemented a fan speed controller that adjusts the RPM based on the temperature of the unit.
Under idle conditions the fan speed was significantly throttled. This meant that all that could be heard was the whisper of air moving around the unit. With the ST85ZF installed inside a case, I was unable to hear the unit at all.
When placed under load, the ST85ZF gradually increased the fan speed to counteract the heat. As you can hear from the recording above, the ST85ZF was quite noisy. However, with the ST85ZF installed inside a case, the noise levels were much more reasonable.
Therefore the efficiency of this power supply can be found by a simple equation: (646 / 786) * 100 that works out to be an efficiency rating of 82.1%.
Noise Testing
At present Overclock3D doesn't have the professional equipment required to reliably measure the noise output of devices. However, as a new part of our testing procedure we will be recording the PSU at idle and load so that you can make your own judgments. All recordings are taken at 30cm distance from the unit.
Idle Recording - Download
Load Recording - Download
As previously stated, the ST85ZF utilises a Sanyo Denki San Cooler 80mm fan, which pushes a 42cfm at 34dBA when running at full speed. Thankfully Silverstone have implemented a fan speed controller that adjusts the RPM based on the temperature of the unit.
Under idle conditions the fan speed was significantly throttled. This meant that all that could be heard was the whisper of air moving around the unit. With the ST85ZF installed inside a case, I was unable to hear the unit at all.
When placed under load, the ST85ZF gradually increased the fan speed to counteract the heat. As you can hear from the recording above, the ST85ZF was quite noisy. However, with the ST85ZF installed inside a case, the noise levels were much more reasonable.
Most Recent Comments
/me wants
Now that is a kick ass power supply! Sign me up for one of those when I build my next rig, dizamn... Nice review and nice PSU.
OMG, how sexy is that 
Plenty of stable power, great looks and finished to the last detail; boy Silverstone are making some awesome gear. This is one PSU that I'm seriously looking at purchasing when it becomes available here in Aus (younger sibling only available atm, as far as I can see). Great review Jim as usual 
Plenty of stable power, great looks and finished to the last detail; boy Silverstone are making some awesome gear. This is one PSU that I'm seriously looking at purchasing when it becomes available here in Aus (younger sibling only available atm, as far as I can see). Great review Jim as usual Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='PV5150'
OMG, how sexy is that
Plenty of stable power, great looks and finished to the last detail; boy Silverstone are making some awesome gear. This is one PSU that I'm seriously looking at purchasing when it becomes available here in Aus (younger sibling only available atm, as far as I can see). Great review Jim as usual |
w00tage...I'm eagerly awaiting it's arrival. It'll prolly beat my Conroe
I love its native support for quad SLI, as useless as it is 
Someday quad SLI will probably be the "norm" for gamers *sigh* Thus the reason I decided to step away from the PC scene a bit, too damn spensive I say!!
Someday quad SLI will probably be the "norm" for gamers *sigh* Thus the reason I decided to step away from the PC scene a bit, too damn spensive I say!!Quote:
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Originally Posted by name='FragTek'
Thus the reason I decided to step away from the PC scene a bit, too damn spensive I say!!
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Sometimes you just need to step out of the circle for a while
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