Silverstone SLi 650w Power Supply :: Guide

[Xassius]

This power supply is one of the three SLi validated PSU's (along with the 510 and 850 from PC Power and Cooling). I have recieved this power supply and I would like to uncover some of the uncertainties.

Firstly, the data Silverstone has supplied.
---------------------------------------

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-65zf.htm

Quad +12V rail for superior performance
Dual PCI-E 6pin connectors (SLI ready)
Four Serial ATA connectors
Industrial class components
Support for ATX 12V 2.0 & EPS 12V
Active PFC

Color Titanium black
Cooling System 1x 80mm ball bearing fan
Noise Level 29 dBA minimum
Weigh 2.7 kg
Dimension 150 mm (W) x 86 mm (H) x 180 mm (D)
MTBF 100,000 hours at 25'C, full load
Operating temperature 0 ~ 50°C
Model Output
+3.3V +5V +12V1 +12V2 +12V3 +12V4 -12V 5Vsb
33A 24A 13A/18A* 18A 16A 8A/13A* 0.5A 2.0A

*Peak
+3.3V & +5V : 170W Max.
+12V1 & +12V2 & +12V3 & +12V4 : 504W(42A) / peak 540W(45A)
Total DC output : 650W Max / 710W Peak.
Protection : Over Current Protection , Under voltage protection , Over Voltage Protection , Short Circuit Protection , No Load Operation

+5V min. load is 10A when +12V output is 30A to 38A
+5V min. load is 15A when +12V output is 38A to 42A

---------------------------------------

NOTE: This power supply is 18cm long and may not fit in some cases [Lian Li V1000] but I can confirm this fits in the CM Stacker.

Noise
This power supply, although rated at 29dBA by Silverstone is quite loud - rivalling that of PC Power and Cooling PSU's. It is obvious that this much noise is needed for a 650w PSU cooled ONLY by a single 80mm Fan.

FAN: ADDA [AD0812UB-A70GL] DC 12v 0.30AMP

What Silverstone had to say: "With the amount of power that ST65ZF needs to deliver at 50C, we had to
increase the speed of the fan so not to compromise on reliability. We know
there are manufactures that feature very slow running fan in their high
wattage models, but this is the exact reason they are unable to pass
NVIDIA's SLI certification test. If it is any consolation, the ST65ZF at
high load exhibits slightly less noise than PC Power & Cooling's 510W model
(another PSU on NVIDIA's SLI list)."

However, that does not explain why they did not have 2x8cm fans in push-pull config similar to that of Topowers and OCZ's.

Cable Sleeving
The two PCI-E 6-pin Power connectors, 4/8 pin CPU connector, 24-pin motherboard connector and the 6-pin EPS connector is sleeved. The 4-pin molexes and sata cables are unsleeved.

Target Market
Silverstone Rep stated that this power supply is not going to be as good as the PC Power and Cooling's but at a level just under that. It has passed the SLi validation tests, so it is at least quite good. He also mentioned that it is going to be "affordable" as compared to Zippy or PC Power and Cooling's.

Manufacturer
This power supply is manufactured by Enhance Electronics, a supposed company in the PSU industry with a reputation for "building very reliable power supplies" (Silverstone Rep, 2005). The PSU's +12V rail distribution, exterior casing, and cables are exclusive to SilverStone, however.

Pots
The pots on this power supply are "externally accessible" on the side of the power supply. Through testing, VR3 adjusts the 12v rails as well as the 5v rail. VR1 and VR2 are a mystery to me, however, as soon as I get data from Silverstone, I will let you know.

Rail Distribution
With Quad 12v rails, many would want to know how the rails are distributed.

Both PCI-Express Power connectors are on +12v3 - having 16A available

This Power supply supports EPS12v and thus has a 8-pin power connector [converter included] and +12v1 and +12v2 are attached to this. Thus, 31A available for the CPU Power connector.

SATA connectors = ALSO on +12v2

Molex connectors = +12v4

Motherboard 24-pin 12v = +12v3

Even so, the max output for the 12v rails TOGETHER are 42A. However, over current protection will not kick in until 20Amps are drawn from each 12v rail.

Note: This power supply has "crossloading" issues. e.g.
+5V min. load is 10A when +12V output is 30A to 38A
+5V min. load is 15A when +12V output is 38A to 42A
meaning that a minimum load on 5v is required for high amps on the +12v

Ripple
Area of concern is here.

+3.3V 100 mVp-p
+5V 100 mVp-p
+12V1 150 mVp-p
+12V2 150 mVp-p
+12V3 150 mVp-p
+12V4 150 mVp-p
-12V 150 mVp-p
+5VSB 100 mVp-p

Silverstone provided me with this data. ATXv2.0 calls for a maximum of 120mVp-p ripple on the 12v rail. Whilst the real ripple MAY be lower than the values listed here, it still represents a concern as this data is from Silverstone [the ones marketing this product].

[Jack]

how much will these things cost?

[eva2000]

interesting this psu is listed at one of my fav Aussie retailers Auspcmarket.com.au http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_p...egory_id]=1287 at AUD$228 = US$180

[saaya]

hey, this thread doesnt really belong in the xtreme overclocking section wich is for xtreme overclocks only, i moved your thread to the general hardware section section wich is for all general hardware related topics.

please post in the acccurate section the next time, if you dont know what section to post in the please contact any of us mods and we will help you

[dreamworkz]

NICE Xassius! Thanks man...Ive been looking at this power supply but didnt know the right questions to ask silverstone about it. I would've like the push pull of the fans instead of a one fan design. Did they ever tell you what this power supply wattage was rated at 50c? man, for the price and your review, I think im going to pick it up now. Thanks!

[Fzero]

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...163-108&depa=0 175 looks like its gana be a pretty good psu but what would be the use for 4 12v rails?

[Xassius]

NICE Xassius! Thanks man...Ive been looking at this power supply but didnt know the right questions to ask silverstone about it. I would've like the push pull of the fans instead of a one fan design. Did they ever tell you what this power supply wattage was rated at 50c? man, for the price and your review, I think im going to pick it up now. Thanks!

They didn't.

The fan leads also isn't soldered in the power supply and goes thru a connector, so replacing the noisy fan should be easy.

[eva2000]

They didn't.

The fan leads also isn't soldered in the power supply and goes thru a connector, so replacing the noisy fan should be easy.

wow that's good to have

[spytech]

thanks Xassius for all the in depth info. keep us posted about the vr1 & 2 pots. now that newegg has it, i will go ahead and order it.

[Fzero]

can some one tell me what the point of 4 12v rails is?

[J-Mag]

can some one tell me what the point of 4 12v rails is?

Supposedly it seperates possibe noise (ripple) from one batch of components to another.

Although, personaly I beleive it is an effective marketing tool PSU manufacturer's use because:

A: People are Morons
B: The More is always better, mentality.
C: It is DEFINATELY cheaper to produce a 650w with 4 12v rails vs same spec PSU but all the 12v is on one rail.
D: All the above

[Squid_Spit]

+5V min. load is 10A when +12V output is 30A to 38A
+5V min. load is 15A when +12V output is 38A to 42A

Thats the part that concerns me, how would you know how many amps you're pulling from the +5v rail.

[Xassius]

Supposedly it seperates possibe noise (ripple) from one batch of components to another.

Although, personaly I beleive it is an effective marketing tool PSU manufacturer's use because:

A: People are Morons
B: The More is always better, mentality.
C: It is DEFINATELY cheaper to produce a 650w with 4 12v rails vs same spec PSU but all the 12v is on one rail.
D: All the above

A: Intel Specs says so (if more than 18A on the 12v rail, split)
B: Less Ripple between electrically noisy fans and the CPU [yes, it impacts when you're really pushing the limit]
C: Not really. Just short the Quad 12v rails and be done with [Silverstone shorted 12v 1 and 12v 2 for the CPU line {only if using 4 pin}]
D: The more seperate rails [if assuming same quality] the better AS LONG AS no COMPONENTS are STARVED FOR POWER.

[Xassius]

+5V min. load is 10A when +12V output is 30A to 38A
+5V min. load is 15A when +12V output is 38A to 42A

Thats the part that concerns me, how would you know how many amps you're pulling from the +5v rail.

That's what I refered to when I said the Cross Loading issues. This also concerns me.

Hard drives and CD Drive pull on the 5v rails. RAM also pulls on this rail on some motberboards [DFI SLi's]

NOTE: This psu is NOT in the LEAGUE of Zippys or PC Power and Coolings, but it IS in the league straight after that.

[eva2000]

Xassius, so how's the psu fairing ?

[gr8golf]

Anyone seen these at the original price level lately? ($130)

[The Mofo]

I picked one up today and it was $179. Looking at it, its a nice PSU. Has adjustable rails just like he said on the side of the case.

However, theres nothing in the damn book to tell you the rails are adjustable nor which is what. Kind of stupid if you ask me. I needed a PSU until my monster 850 ships, so i decided to go for it.

[eva2000]

i justed ordered one of these as well from local Aussie retailer www.auspcmarket.com.au as i'm delegating my 580W Topower 686P6 to file server duties with it's 44A/5V and 35A/12V and using the silverstone sli psu for my sli rig

[The Mofo]

[eva2000]

thanks for the pics although the lighting was poor heh

[The Mofo]

Yea well i dont like blinding light in my lab.. Flash is too much.

I installed it, so far, im not impressed.

Which one of those pots is VR3? Also, im assuming 3.3v rail isnt adjustable. If thats the case, this thing sucks balls. My Vimm voltage dropped by .50. Give you an example...

[eva2000]

why not impressed ?

[The Mofo]

Welp i put this into a file server which is 100% load 24/7 as it serves not only my media, but my D20L crunching as well.. Out of the box, the voltages arent that impressive next to the POS TT480W i had installed in the box. Even the Dimm is down. Now, if i can get the voltages up, i wont complain. However, theres absolutely no instructions stating which POT is what and at the moment, i dont have a small enough screw driver to fiddle around with it.

[eva2000]

ah i see.. how does your old 480W 3.3/5V rails compare to this 650W as i think the 650W has low spec'd 3.3v and 5V if you have alot of drives could be a factor ?

which DFI board ? NF4 with 3.3v or 5V jumper ?

from your pic only 2 out of 4 12Vs are adjustable ?

[The Mofo]

If you look above, you get a good comparison.

Drives installed are 2 Maxtors. Ones a SATA 80 Gig the other is a Pata 160 gig. There 2 optical burners installed. Radeon 9800XT. System is OC'd.

I'd say the voltages as far as the rail goes, are slightly higher then the TT, but not by much. The 3.3V could use a kick and so could the +12V. This PSU doesnt have a -12V.