XS Official PSU Of The Month: November 2006

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11-04-2006, 01:07 AM
perkam

XS Official PSU Of The Month: November 2006

November is the month of SUPER Releases...and not to dissapoint those with G80 and Quad Core rigs that want stable and efficient power...I'm honoured to introduce the Official XS November PSU Of the Month:

Silverstone ST56ZF Zeus Series 560W Power Supply

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/460...e0034rz.th.jpg http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/7...e0045xf.th.jpg http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7...e0056sv.th.jpg http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1...e0063nd.th.jpg http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9...e0072mg.th.jpg
(Pictures Courtesy of Micutzu)

Yup...XS's first official no-nonsense PSU recommendation to those that love unbridled power for an AMAZING PRICE !!! :eek:

The Silverstone ST56ZF uses high quality etasis-based server components to deliver 38A on the 12V Rail that can handle far more than just 560W. Besides the fact that the 40A/38A on the 5V/3.3V respectively are indicative of its server heritage as seen on some Zippy PSUs, the Silverstone is perhaps best compared to the one and only PC Power & Cooling 510...with multiple review sites comparing the two on the same level and finding that it isn't far behind at all ;)

http://www.pcmoddingmy.com/e107_plug...?content.335.5

If thats not enough...perhaps the fact that the PSU DOES have a pot able to adjust its 12V and 5V rails might win you over ;) No the PSU doesn't have quad rails...or 4 pci-e connectors, or that modular cabling...and it isn't silent...and in the face of some of the seasonic based PSUs...one would consider why would anyone even consider such an old school PSU...

Therein, however, lies its greatest strength :) With efficiency that never falls below 75-85% range !! despite the more modest official estimate of 78% in the official numbers, the Silverstone can handle the best of today's SLI systems with the exception of the oncoming DX10 GFX in SLI...as this psu is really reminiscent of a time when amps made or destroyed power supplies, and single rail PSUs rules the power landscape.

But wait !!! How much does JonnyGuru like it ?!?!?!

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonnyGURU

Much to my surprise, the voltages did not drop AT ALL! That just proves that this power supply was rated at 50°C and has no de-rating curve, at least none up to 47°C! So the ST56ZF gets a 10 in these tests! And because the power supply handled the 34A load flawlessly without ever dropping out of spec, it scores perfectly here too!

I also wanted to see how the power supply handled being put under a maximum load on the 12V rails while the 3.3V and 5V were relatively low. To do this, I put 19A on each of the 12V rails, but reduced the 3.3V rail to only 3A and the 5V rail to only 4A. Even though the Silverstone manual clearly states that stable voltages can only be guaranteed if there is a minimum 10A capacitive load on the 3.3V and 5V rails, my ST56ZF was still putting out 11.56V on that 12V rail. Fantastic!

The o-scope screenshots (courtesy of USB-Instrument's Stingray's EasyScope II) show a nearly flawless output voltage on all rails during all tests. That's going to count towards an even higher performance score.

http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/ST56ZF/

To sum up, the Silverstone ST56ZF offers the power of the PCP&C 510 SLI in simple neat and affordable package for those who don't mind giving up a little bit of silence for zippy level stability :up:

Check it out:

$107 at Case-Mod.com (well known site): http://www.case-mod.com/store/silver...73.html?src=fr
$109 at East Luna (Very Well known site :D ): http://www.eastluna.com/hardware/details.php?id=1127

Get ready to oc that QX6700, Single G80 Rig TO THE MAX with this psu :cool:

Perkam
11-04-2006, 03:08 AM
MaxxxRacer

very impressed but by the looks of it, it would be pretty hard to get it quiet... you would need to design the case so that the psu is the exit point for all of the air and just remove the denki.
11-04-2006, 07:51 AM
Elfear

Looks like a sweet unit Perkam. Very solid PSU for ~$100.

How would that PSU compare to the Enhance ENS-0560G? It does have a split 12V rail design but it has slightly more amps (38A vs 42A) and it's modular. jonnyguru seemed to really like it too. http://www.jonnyguru.com/PSU/ST60F/ Maybe he can jump in and comment since they are priced very close.
11-04-2006, 07:51 AM
perkam

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxxxRacer

very impressed but by the looks of it, it would be pretty hard to get it quiet... you would need to design the case so that the psu is the exit point for all of the air and just remove the denki.

Opinions on how quiet it is vary from reviewer to reviewer and most have stated that its as audible as the stock amd cooler on light load...

Shouldn't be an issue for a psu of this caliber and of this value :)

Elfear, the psu you have there is the silverstone st56f strider and has lower quality components than the st56zf. Think st75zf vs st75f.

Perkam
11-04-2006, 08:07 AM
WeStSiDePLaYa

You might want to check jonnyGurus review again, since your quoting it....

effeciency max is 77%, and falls as the load is raised.

good psu though for the money.
11-04-2006, 09:31 AM
perkam

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeStSiDePLaYa

You might want to check jonnyGurus review again, since your quoting it....

effeciency max is 77%, and falls as the load is raised.

good psu though for the money.

Varies based on who reviews the psu...though yea jG usually does things a tad better :p

Perkam
11-04-2006, 09:44 AM
Sanko

nice PSU of the month. a quickie here. is it adviceable to get this PSU and sell my TT ToughPower CableManagement 750W? btw, my rig consist E66, Crucial 10th, 73GT (not an extreme gamer), WD320KS and a DVDRW, mobo just sold, looking for replacement.

PS: sorry if it's not proper to ask here.
11-04-2006, 09:53 AM
JPeitzman

Is is really that much louder than the PCP&C that they are comparing it to? I figure it is as good or better than the PCP&C at more than half the price, how can you lose. It's not full sleeved, but so what, sleeve it yourself, that way you get that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you do something cool all by your self. Or I guess you could pay the extra and order it custom sleeved from performance-pcs.

This is one of the best deals out there, on one of the best PSU's out there. If anyone out there needs a PSU to power there OCed SLI rig, get this now. If you want a higher quality PSU....get a Zippy, but it will be hard to find one at this price point.

Good find for the deal of the month Perkam, this one is a winner.
11-04-2006, 12:38 PM
perkam

Thx jp...no ordinary psu ever becomes a psu of the month...and i try to differentiate previous psu of the month threads to ensure that the reasons for buying any of them is unique.

Sanko...your TT Toughpower 750w can power two G80s in SLI...this can't.

Perkam
11-04-2006, 06:32 PM
Praxis1452

Quote:

Originally Posted by perkam

Thx jp...no ordinary psu ever becomes a psu of the month...and i try to differentiate previous psu of the month threads to ensure that the reasons for buying any of them is unique.

Sanko...your TT Toughpower 750w can power two G80s in SLI...this can't.

Perkam

it can... if you go by DT especially if you are running a conroe.. which if you have G80 SLI it seems you should :p:.

No need to get rid of the TP. It will work fine.

Only problem with this psu is you'll need 2 molex adaptors which takes up 4. That's just a pain.
11-04-2006, 08:40 PM
Reinvented

Looks like another good PSU. After October's PSU recommendation, I'm starting to like the Corsair's a bit. Very quiet, and good voltages.

I will definitely be trying this out.
11-05-2006, 10:41 AM
RPGWiZaRD

No adjustable 3.3v rail? :( That's what only one I need in the current setup.
11-05-2006, 11:26 AM
WeStSiDePLaYa

Quote:

Originally Posted by RPGWiZaRD

No adjustable 3.3v rail? :( That's what only one I need in the current setup.

i beleive this unit has independent voltage regulation. so you should be able to mod the 3.3v rail so it is adjustable.

EDIT: heres the link.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...ad.php?t=37574
11-05-2006, 11:30 PM
Micutzu

There's just one pot for all 3 main rails (+3.3V, +5V, +12V) inside. Benching 3Ghz FX-60 and crossfired X1900XT's seemed like a joke to this PSU when i've reviewed it, less than 0.1V voltage drop on the 12V rail in full load.
11-06-2006, 12:46 AM
Bbq

Amazing power supply, budget price, high quality. This is what more power supplies should be like :( damn over-blinged power supplies.
11-08-2006, 09:06 PM
Summers618

quick Q perkam, is this a better deal? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817163108
the 650 version for $109 + shipping, or is this version not as efficient or something?
11-08-2006, 09:07 PM
Praxis1452

different oem's. only the 560W, 750W, and 850W ZF's are Etasis. Rest are enhance with 80mm fans.
11-08-2006, 09:29 PM
Summers618

Oic, i figured something was different, but i didn't know what.
11-09-2006, 02:11 PM
C Stat B

Are the Etasis' exactly the same? Cause 850w Etasis is £127 and 850w Silverstone is £170...
11-09-2006, 04:12 PM
Praxis1452

Well you'd jonny might have an answer or OK wolf.

I think the 850W silverstone has the rails distributed differently? The 750W is the exact same as the Etasis I think.
11-09-2006, 04:27 PM
Oklahoma Wolf

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeStSiDePLaYa

i beleive this unit has independent voltage regulation.

I don't think it does. Then again, I didn't want to pull mine too far apart as it's my 24/7 main rig PSU (this thing is really crammed full of components - hard to see anything). However, there only appears to be two pi filters on the secondary side, which is isn't indy. That said, I wouldn't be too surprised if it turns out to be indy after all next chance I have to get it apart.

Quote:

Originally Posted by C Stat B

Are the Etasis' exactly the same?

This unit is the Etasis EPAP-560. The OEM model number is stamped on a sticker on one of the primary caps on mine :)

EPAP-850 is the Silverstone 850W I believe, however there may be wiring harness differences.
11-25-2006, 12:12 PM
quicksilverXP

Can this PSU handle one 8800GTX?
11-26-2006, 11:36 AM
Micutzu

I haven't tested them together, but from experience with this PSU and with 8800's i'm 100% it handles one GTX easy.
12-10-2006, 02:10 PM
roibm

so guys how much money did you get for this ad?
75% efficiency, wow... unheard of. far more than 560W? for like 10-20ms? yeah sure.
12-10-2006, 04:10 PM
Istasi

Quote:

Originally Posted by roibm

so guys how much money did you get for this ad?
75% efficiency, wow... unheard of. far more than 560W? for like 10-20ms? yeah sure.

Perhaps you should read the review...

http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=30
12-10-2006, 04:12 PM
nn_step

HEY IT IS DECEMBER !
where is this month's PSU?
12-10-2006, 07:08 PM
roibm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Istasi

Perhaps you should read the review...

http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=30

In order to se what? The 72-77% efficiency? Or the tools the guy uses.... to test the PSU? Stingray EasyScope II is more or less a joke.
The article might be good enough for the unknowingly, but if you really wanna see a decent PSU review, you can follow the link.
12-12-2006, 07:10 PM
ilya

Trying to finilize the PSU, Silverstone ST56ZF Zeus Series 560W Power Supply is hard to get in Canada, however the following are available:
Would you suggest SilverStone SST-ST65ZF 650W nVidia Certified SLI PSU is available for $150 or OCZ (OCZ700GXSSLI) GameXStream 700 Watt Power for $140?
All prices in CAD
Hoping to get PSU that can DX10 GPU, and full RAID array.
Any help is appreciated, I hope posting in this thread is OK.
12-12-2006, 11:21 PM
Bbq

In canada, try a zippy from NCIX.

On topic: I nominate this power supply for one more month. Anyone with me?
12-13-2006, 12:59 AM
syne_24

To be honest the efficiency really does suck on this one. It's almost as bad as my hiper 580. But it does make it up for good load and regulation. On the other hand, Corsair HX520 is about the same range as this one but better results.
01-05-2007, 08:55 PM
T1Cybernetic

Im trying to find one as i have a load of cash buring a hole in my pocket but i cant find many in the uk :fact:

Good Review: With all the good news i've heard about it im buying one asap!
So, If possible can someone add some uk links to the first post :toast:
01-06-2007, 05:02 PM
JPeitzman

So I have been kind of in and out, maybe I missed something, but you are not doing this any more Perkam? This was one of my favorite things to check out each month, I guess we will have to find someone to pick it up or something. It is also nice to send new people here that are looking for a PSU. Just a curiosity... this is a great PSU though, it is nice that it has stayed up for people to see.
01-07-2007, 02:24 AM
Andrew LB

I'm going for the PCP&C 750w Silencer this week because my PCP&C 510-SLI Turbo Cool just cannot handle the power draw from the rig in my signature. When overclocking my CPU to 2.6ghz from 2.0ghz and running 2x Raptor 74gb w/16mb cache in RAID 0 as well as two 16mb cache 250gb WD drives in RAID-1 for backup and security.... even the quality of the 510-SLI couldn't feed my CPU and Dual 8800 GTS cards in SLI.

Under heavy heavy gaming, i'd get occasional "complete thermal shutdown" from my PSU and i'd have to reboot it manually to get it up and running again.

The 750w Silencer from PCP&C for $199 is what i'm buying monday.