It’s been a while since our last large power supply test. Nowadays, almost all manufacturers label their power supplies with the 80 PLUS logo (for more information on 80 PLUS and what the branding actually means, check out the organization’s site. Energy efficiency has become essential to both vendors and users.
But other characteristics also play a more critical role now. Today’s power supplies include more flexibility than ever before. In addition to the familiar fan control, power consumption display, and cable management system, you’ll sometimes find USB ports and chic accessory bags. But what features—and what fundamental specifications—do you really need?
Our German lab recently tested 10 current mainstream power supplies with power delivery of up to 700 watts. In part one (this one) we introduce the first five products. Look for part two shortly, when we’ll discuss the next five.
| Manufacturer | Power Supply |
|---|---|
| Cooler Master | Silent Pro M500 |
| Thermaltake | Toughpower QFan 650W |
| Silverstone | SST-ST70F Strider |
| Antec | Signature |
| Dragon Force | DF-530GT |
In part two, we test the following products:
| Manufacturer | Power Supply |
|---|---|
| PC Power & Cooling | Silencer 610 W |
| Hiper | Type R MK2 680 W |
| Enermax | Modu 82+ |
| Fortron FSP | Everest 600 W |
| Tagen | TG680 U33II |
| Corsair | HX 520W |
- Mainstream PSUs Up To 700W
- First Up: Cooler Master Silent Pro 500 Watt
- Cooler Master Silent Pro 500 Watt (Continued)
- Voltage
- Efficiency
- Thermaltake Toughpower QFan 650W
- Thermaltake Toughpower QFan 650W (Continued)
- Voltage
- Efficiency
- Silverstone SST-ST70F Strider 700W
- Silverstone SST-ST70F Strider (Continued)
- Voltage
- Efficiency
- Antec Signature 650W
- Antec Signature (Continued)
- Voltages
- Efficiency
- Dragon Force DF-530GT
- Dragon Force DF-530GT (Continued)
- Voltages
- Efficiency
- Charts: Efficiency Specifications
- Charts: Efficiency @ 250 Watts, 35 Watts, And Standby
- Conclusion: Dragon Force and Silverstone Win
The name makes my ears ring and it simply sounds to much like the names of crap Chinese electronics. It makes me question the long term quality.
Give me Antec, Enermax or another brand name.
The name makes my ears ring and it simply sounds to much like the names of crap Chinese electronics. It makes me question the long term quality.
Give me Antec, Enermax or another brand name.
It’s called that way because after two years it will blow up in your face and spit fire.