Building a PC always teaches us to treat every detail carefully and carefully. Buyers spend a lot of time choosing a video card, processor, motherboard, but often install a poor-quality cooling system or a poor power supply in the system. These auxiliary parts are no less important for the system, since they support its life activity.
Variety
The power supply is represented in a wide variety. There are enough manufacturers on the market, as well as models and formats. There is information that for the whole history of the PC's existence, about 6 BP formats have been developed. Now, of course, among them the most popular ones, such as ATX, are installed, which are installed in a standard case of the same format, and the parameters of the device correspond to the necessary parameters of the ATX motherboard.
In addition to the standard ones, which also have their own versions, there are compact models. It is interesting that if the known formats have not changed their dimensions over the decades (the BP models of the AT format will fit into any modern case), compact models have gone the whole way to becoming what they are now.
Little
The SFX power supply unit belongs to the very first models, which were classified as compact. This type has at once 5 different modifications. Among them there are low-profile models, which have a width of 100 mm, and a height of 50 or 63 mm. These BP configurations received names that characterize them by the size of the fan (40 and 60 mm). Such models are designed for independent cooling, but they do not fit in any way as an alternative to the cooler. The fan in this case manages only the power supply unit itself, in which it is located.
If the user needed a variant with a powerful chassis cooling, then another couple of options were offered. The first suggested the location of the fan on the top cover. The difference of both models was in dimensions: 100 mm in width and 125 mm in depth in the first variant, and in the second - on the contrary. The design assumes that the fan will look out from under the lid for 17 mm, hence the height of the block becomes somewhat larger.
There was one more variation of SFX. The power supply was called PS3. In general, it is very similar to the ATX configuration, but it is somewhat shorter. Most often this option was purchased for 
Huge selection
As it turned out, the SFX power supply unit with a power of 300 W is a very common option on the market. Most of these models were released in 2012-2013. Among them there are interesting models that attracted the attention of buyers and became popular. Among the popular ones are SilverStone, Seasonic, FSP, Winsis, etc. We will consider the most successful modifications.
Standard version
The SilverStone SST-ST30SF is not an ordinary version. Some parameters indicate the similarity of the model with ATX-solutions. The device is packaged well. In front of us is a black, dense box with a matte surface. Above there are many graphic elements that help us to learn a little about the model and its parameters. Immediately there is a picture of the BP and an indication of its power. Interestingly, this one of the few models that was supplied in the box, usually specialists received a clean OEM (that is, packed just in a bag).
The box was easy to open, and inside it was possible to find the product itself packed in polyethylene, power cord, plastic ties, a special frame for mounting this PSU into larger housing connectors, and instructions.
SilverStone Appearance
The design is nothing remarkable and is quite typical for SFX. The power unit dimensions got the corresponding - 125x100x63 mm. Mass devaysa - almost 900 grams. The case of the BP is black, which looks more attractive than in the case of unpainted models. 
A sticker with device parameters was placed on the end. Here everything is indicated to the smallest detail, down to the serial number, barcode and other service information. The manufacturer indicates the power parameters, maximum voltage, current strength.
On the other end there is a grill through which the viscera are visible. There is also a power button and a power connector. On the other hand, there is a noticeable grating covering the fan, which, incidentally, is also black. Of all the models, this version looks stylish and attractive. The cover itself is not removable. The fan measures 80x20 mm. On average, the diameter of the mechanism with nine blades is 70 mm.
SilverStone Details
All the cords in the kit were provided with plastic braiding. The power is represented by the ATX Mainboard connector, which is probably the most versatile option for collecting any system. The length of the cord is 31 cm. It is difficult to talk about its dimensions, as this alone will suffice, while others will remain unhappy. Power is represented by a cord with a CPU connector and a length of 410 mm.
It is also possible to connect to the video card using a PCI-e cable. The presence of it, of course, does not show generosity of the manufacturer, but this option is not presented in each model. Therefore, this feature, of course, is a plus device.
Interestingly, the cables can also find connectors such as SATA and Molex. There is a forgotten connector for the Floppy drive. As a result, the main advantage of this model can rightly be called approximate characteristics, parameters and the availability of components to the BP format ATX. 
Reviews about SilverStone
Reviews are often left not only by users, but also by specialists who conduct testing. So, first of all I liked the reliable packaging with high-quality printing. Pleased with the bundle, which, though not praise for generosity, yet all the necessary here is.
They noted the presence of a pair of connectors of PCI-e and CPU. The test showed that with a load of 250 watts, the unit is stable and does not fail. Users noted a low noise level and a generally good performance factor, especially if the system is not operating at full capacity. The questions were left only to the system of stabilization, which turned out to be a little bit unfinished.
Unusual
The next good model was a power supply unit SFX Seasonic SS-300SFD. In general, the model looks normal, but if you look closely, you can see some features. So, you can immediately see the interesting location of the fan, which slightly protrudes above the surface and is placed in a separate compartment.
As practice shows, this arrangement can hardly be called successful, since the format itself has other dimensions. This model weighs more than a kilogram and has dimensions of 125x100x76 mm. On the case there is a special power-off button.
The fan inside got similar dimensions with the previous model. On average, its diameter is 72 mm. The blades became smaller by two. Changed their form a little. The case is unpainted and looks standard, in gray. 
Details of Seasonic
As usual, there is a sticker on the case that gives us to understand the basic parameters of this SFX model. Power units received a divided line of 12 V. At one point the current strength can not exceed 14.5 A, and the second - 8 A. The result is 22.5 A, and in translation for power - 270 Watts. Despite the fact that the model belongs to a power supply with a power of 300 W, and the figures give only 270 W, such a value can be considered positive, since it is indicated in the specifications, and in general such a maximum is acceptable.
The kit includes cables for the motherboard, which also come with the ATX Mainboard connector. The length of the cord in this case was 32 cm. To replenish the processor, unlike the previous version, only a single cable with a length of 32 cm is available. In general, the solution can hardly be called successful, as some modern models can refuse to start with such a connection.
Among the remaining cords, you can see Molex connectors, which are twice as large as in the previous model, and there are a pair of connectors for the Floppy drive. The length of these wires is about 650 mm. But there are only two SATA connectors, which, although it does not greatly affect the performance, can still affect the variability for the user.
Reviews of Seasonic
This model was clearly worse than the previous one. This indicates both the configuration, and parameters, and testing. From positive it is necessary to allocate stable work at a load of 250 watts, silence at low power, as well as a good indicator of efficiency at 150-200 watts.
Then the minuses of this product begin. There are questions to the operation of the stabilization system, under maximum load, the efficiency is markedly reduced. A small amount of SATA is also difficult to call a plus. At full speed. The system starts to noticeably rustle, and "bulge" due to the fan compartment can play a cruel joke with users who do not take this factor into account.
Typical
This is not the end of the review of such options. We have another 300W SFX power supply. PowerMan IP-S300BN1-0 is considered to be the most typical model and classic representative of this BP format. The appearance of this product is standard, the only thing that designers could do with a little more work is with the fan grille, and it looks very simple. 
Unlike the previous model, there is no special compartment for the fan, which would rise above the case. Dimensions correspond to the standard 125x100x63 mm. Weight - almost 900 grams. It is interesting that there is no button to turn off the power, in its place is located the voltage regulator of the network.
The fan inside is still 80 mm, which became the standard, although not certified, for this form factor.
PowerMan Details
This SFX power supply has also been equipped with a sticker with all the parameters. The total power limit was 125 watts. All the necessary cables are in place, including for the motherboard and processor. There are few connectors for the periphery: pair for SATA and Molex, and one for the drive. The main drawback of this model was the lack of 80 PLUS certification, which will significantly reduce the attractiveness in the eyes of the buyer.
Photo added by user. The product may look different.
Attention, this is a photo of a new product. The type and condition of the discounted product may differ.
Main characteristics
SFX; the fan size is 80mm; power: 300W; active PFC; standard 80 PLUS GOLD; power supply MB and CPU: 24 + 4 pin; Molex connectors: 1pc; SATA connectors: 3pcs; without a network cable; color: standard; type of supply OEM
| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Form Factor Form factor The version of the standard ATX and EPS, which supports the power supply. Specifications of the standard ATX and EPS characterize the presence of power lines of the motherboard, processor, video card. | SFX |
| Power Power The maximum output power of the power supply. The most important parameter, the more powerful the power supply unit, the more high-performance components can be powered from it. | 300 W |
| Active PFC Active PFC Presence of active power factor correction (Power Factor Correction, PFC) in the power supply. Power factor ?? is the ratio of the power going to useful work to the received. In the presence of active PFC, the power factor reaches values from 0.95 to 0.99. | there is |
| Productivity (EFFICIENCY) Productivity (EFFICIENCY) Coefficient of efficiency (ratio of output to power consumed). The higher this value, the higher the efficiency of the power supply and the less energy loss. | 87 % |
| Certified in the standard Certified in the standard Certification of 80 PLUS power supply means compliance with certain standards for energy efficiency. With 80 PLUS certification, the efficiency should be at least 80% at 20%, 50% and 100% load, relative to the rated power of the power unit. With the certification of 80 PLUS BRONZE, the efficiency should be at least 82% at the same load, relative to the rated power of the power unit. With the certification of 80 PLUS SILVER, the efficiency should be at least 85% under the same load. With the certification of 80 PLUS GOLD, the efficiency should be at least 87%. With 80 PLUS PLATINUM certification, the efficiency should be at least 90%. | 80 PLUS GOLD |
| Mean time to failure (MTBF) Mean time to failure (MTBF) The average duration of the power supply between repairs. | 100,000 h |
| Connectors | |
| Powering the motherboard and processor The number and type of PSU connectors required to power the motherboard and processor (s). All modern power supplies are powered by a 24 pin motherboard. Depending on the version of the ATX12V standard, the power supply of the processor can have as one 4 pin connector, and two connectors (4 pin + 4 pin) located on the same power line. Connector 8 pin according to the specification EPS12V is designed to power the motherboard and processor. | 24 + 4 pin |
| Length of power lines MP Length of power lines MP The length of the power line is 24 pin from the power supply to the beginning of the connector. | 320 mm |
| Connectors Peripheral (Molex) Connectors Peripheral (Molex) Number of Peripheral (Molex) connectors of the power supply. | 1 PC |
| SATA connectors SATA connectors Number of SATA connectors on the power supply. | 3 pcs |
| Connectors for FDD Connectors for FDD Number of 4pin connectors for FDD drive connection. | 1 PC |
| Cooling | |
| The size of the fan (s) The size of the fan (s) The size of the fan installed in the power supply. At the same performance, a fan having a larger size produces less noise. | 80mm |
| Number of fans Number of fans Number of fans installed in the power supply. Often power supply units have one fan (from 120 mm and above) located on the bottom wall. But there are power supplies that have a cooling system consisting of 2 or 3 fans with a size of 80 mm. | one |
| Fan bearing (s) Fan bearing (s) Type of bearing of the fan (s) installed in the power supply. | ball-point |
| Package and dimensions | |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) Dimensions (WxHxD) Overall dimensions of the power unit. The ATX power supplies are standard in width and height. The depth indicates how much space the power supply will take inside the enclosure. This information useful for those who plan to install the BP in a small computer case, or to calculate whether the power supply block will block the places for fixing the upper (or lower) hull fans. | 63.5 x 100 x 125 mm |
| Network cable in the set Network cable included The presence of the supply of the BP cable in the bundle to connect it to the home electrical network. | absent |
| Type of delivery Type of delivery Type of delivery of the power unit. Power supplies with the type of supply OEM, are packaged in a package and usually do not have a network cable included. Power units with the type of delivery RET, packed in a box and have a network cable, cable ties, screws for fixing the case and other useful accessories. | OEM |
| Guarantee | 36 months |
| Manufacturer country: | China |
The manufacturer reserves the right to change the characteristics of the product, its appearance and completeness without prior notice to the seller.
Offer for the sale of goods is valid for the period of availability of this product in stock.
Description "Power supply unit SEASONIC SSP-300SFG"
The power supply unit SEASONIC SSP-300SFG is manufactured in SFX form factor and has a power of 300 W. It is great for use in mid-range devices. The performance of this power supply is quite high and is 87%. At the same time, the device is certified according to the 80 PLUS GOLD standard and has an operating time of 100,000 hours failure. The power supply of the SEASONIC SSP-300SFG has an active PFC and all the connectors necessary for successful connection to the computer. In particular, they are SATA, Molex and FDD. There are also power connectors for the motherboard and CPU. The power lines of the motherboard are 320 mm long. Cooling the power supply is provided by a fan having a diameter of 80 mm, operating on a ball bearing. A network cable is not included in the delivery.Report an error in description Sent
A series of compact power supplies be quiet! SFX L Power
More and more users are thinking about creating a powerful system in a compact package, which is accompanied by the availability of appropriate video cards and processors. Therefore, SFX power supplies become more and more important. And it's no wonder that the brand has quiet! a new series appeared in the arsenal - be quiet! SFX L Power.
It includes 500 and 600 W models with an efficiency of up to 92%, which is confirmed by the received 80 PLUS Gold certificate. Novelties are built using advanced circuitry (LLC, synchronous rectifier and DC-DC-converters) and high-quality element base. They are equipped with a single powerful line + 12V with a load capacity of 41.7 A (500 W) and 50 A (600 W). In addition, they support fully modular cable design and all protection (OCP, OVP, UVP, SCP, OTP, OPP). And the presence of four 6 + 2-pin PCIe connectors will allow powering two performance video cards.
To cool the models of the series be quiet! SFX L Power uses a slow-moving 120-mm fan, although usually 80-mm solutions are used in this form factor. In the sale of new items will come with a bracket-adapter SFX-to-ATX, which will allow them to be installed even in ordinary cases. The recommended price tag of the 500-watt model is € 109, and the 600-watt price tag is € 129.
Review and testing of the CHIEFTEC FLYER FN-03B: fans of miniaturization for a note
The current trend in recent years is the miniaturization of computers. Everything is quite logical, because not everyone wants to see at home bulky buzzing box, when you can get a fairly powerful and more compact system. And we're not just talking about building a classic HTPC, but even a gaming PC. This is facilitated by rapid technical progress, which allows you to create a productive "hardware" with a modest heat dissipation, and the market has a lot of compact motherboards, which in terms of functionality in many respects are not inferior to their full-size counterparts. As a rule, such solutions cost a lot of money, but there are always options and cheaper.
It is for economical companion followers that the Taiwanese manufacturer offers a housing that can accommodate a microATX board (it is somewhat cheaper than a Mini-ITX analog), a video card up to 230 mm long, two drives and one optical drive. Let's take a closer look at this "baby" and try to find out how it turned out interesting.
Specification
|
Manufacturer and model |
||
|
Frame size |
Mini Tower / Desktop |
|
|
Mini-ITX / microATX |
||
|
1 x 5.25 "(external) 1 x 3.5 "(internal) 1 x 2.5 "(internal) |
||
|
Slots for expansion cards |
4 x low profile |
|
|
Maximum video card length |
||
|
2 x audio (headphones, microphone) |
||
|
Fans |
Preset |
1 x 80mm (on the top panel) |
|
Ability to install |
||
|
Power Supply |
Internal CHIEFTEC SFX-350BS-L with a power of 350 W (form factor SFX) |
|
|
Material |
Front panel: plastic Side panels: 0.6 mm thick steel Chassis: steel thickness 0.6 mm |
|
|
Body Dimensions |
415 x 95 x 286 mm |
|
|
Net weight) |
4.65 kg (with power supply) |
|
|
Guarantee |
||
|
Products webpage |
||
Packing and delivery kit
The novelty is delivered in an unpretentious cardboard box without color printing, which protects it from external peripeteias and is characterized by a minimum of accompanying information. On sale it will be possible to meet two variants of the case: with a power supply unit of 350 W or without it. We got the first option, which eliminates the need to search for a power source form factor SFX, which is not so much in our market.
Package CHIEFTEC FLYER FN-03B includes all the most necessary components:
- power cord;
- plastic adhesive feet;
- a set of fasteners;
- user's manual.
Appearance
The case CHIEFTEC FN-03B is presented in the market in black and silver color scale, without any variegated elements. The main material of the design is metal, painted with matte paint. Looks stylish enough and strictly, especially in a vertical orientation. With horizontal placement more like modern audio and video equipment, which, however, allows it to easily merge with other gadgets in the living room. In terms of dimensions, it is only slightly smaller than its "great-grandfather" (415 x 95 x 286 mm vs. 415 x 95 x 296 mm), but the weight remained the same (4.65 kg together with the BP).
The front panel is made of practical matte plastic. The manufacturer took care of the possibility of installing one external 5.25 "device, which elegantly closes the plug. Here you can see two 3.5-mm audio jack and a pair of USB 3.0 ports. Next to them is located the power button and the activity indicator of the drive.
Used white and red LEDs are quite bright, but in the dark they do not create any special discomfort. And if you want, you can always turn them off.
The back of the case has an opening for the motherboard interface board, four slots for low profile expansion cards, and a socket for connecting the power cable from the mains.
The CHIEFTEC FN-03B sidewalls abound with ventilation holes. In the upper part of the left wall they are opposite the processor connector and have the overall dimensions of 115 x 120 mm. On the opposite wall, the perforation (105 x 55 mm) provides fresh air for the power supply, but it's a little disappointing that there is no dust filter, which would obviously not be an obstacle.
The upper and lower walls, in fact, are elements of the chassis. Like the side panels, they are made of steel and have a thickness of 0.6 mm. On the top cover there is one seat for an 80-mm turntable. On the bottom, you can find ventilation holes through which hot air comes from the power supply.
As already mentioned above, CHIEFTEC FN-03B can be used in horizontal or vertical orientation, which extends its functionality. For this purpose, four gluing legs with a height of 10 mm, with rubber inserts in the form of caps are provided in the delivery set. If desired, they can be fixed to self-tapping screws.
By the way, it is the vertical position of the hull that is the priority, as it provides the best airflow to the components, but in this case more space is needed.
Internal organization
To access the inside of the CHIEFTEC FN-03B, unscrew the two knurled screws and slightly pull the left side panel to the rear (the right part is part of the chassis and made non-removable). The chassis has excellent rigidity and is made of the same steel with a thickness of 0.6 mm as the body panels, however, without a layer of paint. The edges of the panels are well-worked, obviously sharp edges are not seen.
The enclosure supports the installation of Mini-ITX and microATX form factor motherboards on special projections.
Near the front, there are two baskets for installing 5.25 "devices and 3.5" drives, which are stacked one above the other. Both baskets are attached using special latches and screws. After their dismantling, you can install an optical drive (conventional or slim-format) and HDD, fixing them with two screws and special clips - everything is quite simple and fast. Below, on a kind of platform, the power unit CHIEFTEC SFX-350BS-L with the power of 350 W is installed.
At the bottom of the case provides a plate for installing a 2.5-inch drive, which is attached with two screws to the rear panel and one to the bottom.
Under the CHIEFTEC FN-03B ceiling, an 80 mm BRUSHLESS DC 8025 fan with a cable length of 38 cm is installed. There are no holes for fixing additional turntables, but nobody prevents them from making them themselves. For example, opposite the processor.
For all expansion slots, one clamp is provided. In this case, it will be possible to place a low-profile video card with a length of up to 245 mm (measured manually) and a height of up to 78 mm.
The maximum height of the CPU cooler is limited to 70 mm, so most low-profile cooling systems will be compatible with this enclosure.
The front panel is fixed with a series of latches. Underneath is a special extension cable that extends from the PSU to the rear of the housing. Most of the connectors for the front panel are wrapped in a rubber sheath and carefully fixed with ties. Their common set includes a HD Audio shoe, a connector for connecting the power button and LED power indicators and hard work disk, as well as a connector for connecting USB 3.0 ports. They all have the following length:
In general, the installation of components in CHIEFTEC FN-03B should not cause absolutely no difficulties. The main thing is to choose the components of the required length and height. Places inside is quite enough, including for a quick replacement of the platform, as well as for the accurate organization of cables. A little disappointing is the lack of vibration-absorbing elements in the places of mounting the fan, 3.5-inch drive and power supply.
Cute aluminum "steel wing" ENERMAX STEELWING for compact systems
The new ENERMAX body is called the "steel wing", but it is made of aluminum. The thickness of the panels in some places reaches 3.5 mm, which accompanies a more efficient cooling of the interior space. According to the designers, the wing shape of the ENERMAX STEELWING model should be attached to seven aluminum fins on the front panel through which cold air is captured by the 120 mm fan located on the inside. In turn, one of the side walls is made of a 3-mm tempered glass, through which the internal layout is clearly visible.
The ENERMAX STEELWING enclosure is intended for installation of microATX and Mini-ITX motherboards with a maximum of three expansion slots. For the installation of one 3.5-inch and one 2.5-inch drive is provided a special tray on the bottom panel. If desired, another 3.5-inch drive can be installed instead of a 120-mm fan on the front panel. This seat can be occupied by a 120-mm radiator.
The novelty will be available in two color variants: red and green. Summary table of the technical specification of ENERMAX STEELWING:
|
microATX / Mini-ITX |
||
|
Expansion Slots |
||
|
1 x 3.5 "+ 1 x 3.5" (optional) |
||
|
External interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
||
|
Maximum video card length |
||
|
Supported BP formats |
||
|
Cooling system |
Front Panel |
1 x 120mm (preinstalled) |
|
Color of the case |
Red Green |
|
|
387 x 300 x 176 mm |
||
Thermaltake Core G3 - slim and extraordinary Slim ATX-case
The sale was a very interesting case - Thermaltake Core G3. It is characterized by a thin profile (454 x 371 x 140 mm) in Slim Tower format, but it can also be used for assembling full-fledged gaming systems.
Thermaltake Core G3 can be positioned horizontally or vertically. Inside there is a space for ATX, microATX and Mini-ITX motherboards with a maximum of two expansion slots. A graphics card with a length of up to 310 mm can be installed perpendicularly or parallel to the motherboard due to the complete riser PCIe. By the way, available space is sufficient even for level models NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, although long partner versions may not fit.
With the CPU cooler, the situation is more simple and unambiguous: 110 mm available will be enough for low-profile cooling systems in case of assembling a conventional PC. If planned gaming computer, then you should pay attention to the SVO, whose radiator (maximum 240 mm) can be located on the front panel.
The cooling system of the novelty consists of two pre-installed 120-mm fans on the front wall. Another similar seat is available on the top panel. In turn, the SFX power supply unit can be located at the bottom of the structure. All these walls are carefully equipped with dust filters.
A more detailed technical specification table for Thermaltake Core G3:
|
Thermaltake Core G3 (CA-1G6-00T1WN-00) |
||
|
Supported formats of motherboards |
ATX, microATX, Mini-ITX |
|
|
Expansion Slots |
||
|
2 x 2.5 "/ 3.5" |
||
|
External interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
||
|
Maximum video card length |
||
|
Supported BP formats |
||
|
Cooling system |
Front Panel |
|
|
Top panel |
||
|
454 x 371 x 140 mm |
||
|
Estimated cost |
||
Overview and testing of the Corsair SF450 power supply unit
At us on testing have visited the most different models compact SFX power supplies: "bronze", "gold" and more affordable ruler solutions. Looking at the listed sources and other similar devices on the market, there is nothing to be surprised that SFX models are usually associated with simple appearance and / or a small output power. Completely destroy this stereotype took the company Corsair, releasing a couple of power supplies for 450 and 600 watts. Sincerely we hope that we will be able to get acquainted with the second one in the future, but the 450-W model has already reached our test laboratory and passed a number of difficult tests. We will describe them in detail later, but we will start as always with the specification table and external inspection of such an interesting device.
Specification
|
Model |
||
|
SFX (compliance with ATX12V v2.4 and EPS 2.92 standards) |
||
|
Rated power, W |
||
|
Power on the channel 12V, W |
||
|
Number of lines + 12V |
||
|
Outputs, A |
||
|
Input voltage, V |
||
|
frequency Hz |
||
|
Input current, A |
||
|
Certified 80 PLUS |
||
|
Active |
||
|
Power factor (PF),% |
||
|
Fully modular |
||
|
PCIe connectors |
2 (6 + 2-pin) |
|
|
Type of cooling |
Half-passive (92 mm fan) |
|
|
Support for energy-saving states C6 / C7 (Intel Haswell Ready) |
||
|
OVP, UVP, OPP, SCP, OCP, OTP |
||
|
Dimensions, mm |
100 x 125 x 63 |
|
|
Time between failures, h |
||
|
Products webpage |
||
Packing and delivery kit
The Corsair SF450 power supply is supplied in a cardboard box, from which you can gather a lot of information about the inside of the device. The list also includes the ability to operate the cooling system in passive mode up to a mark of 90 W. And when operating at rated power, the level of noise generated by the fan should be extremely low - only 27.5 dB.
The supplied test source includes all the necessary components that the user may need during its operation, namely:
- power cord;
- a set of detachable cables for connecting components;
- screws for fixing the power supply inside the case;
- a set of disposable screeds;
- pouches for transferring BP and storing unused cables;
- a sticker with the company logo;
- user guide.
Appearance
Unlike many SFX models, painted only with a gray primer, the hero of the current review by its color performance resembles firm full-size ATX-solutions. Despite the rather high power and the use of a modular cable system, its dimensions remained standard - 100 x 125 x 63 mm.
In the center of the top panel is a fan that grasps air through the grate and pushes it through the hexagonal holes on the back wall. The other four sides are made completely solid.
Modular design is typical for all connected cables, which will greatly facilitate the assembly of the system. For a compact enclosure this is a very significant advantage. Also, such an approach will allow to get rid of the accumulation of unnecessary wires, which in turn will positively affect temperature regime nearby components.
The following is the purpose of each of the seven connectors:
- 18-pin and 10-pin ("24PIN ATX") - for powering the motherboard;
- two 6-pin ("Peripheral & SATA") - for powering the periphery;
- three 8-pin ("6 + 2 PCI-E & 4 + 4 CPU") - for supplementary feeding processor and video card.
Cables are made in the form of loops, which significantly increases the convenience of their installation. Note that the set of connectors will be enough to connect the set peripherals, as well as a powerful video card. For this, there are a pair of 6 + 2-pin PCIe connectors, which in this amount are not often found in 450-watt solutions.
Considering the use of SFX-sources in compact cases, the length of the wires is somewhat less than that of ATX-solutions. The complete configuration of the cable system is as follows:
|
Types of connectors |
amount |
|
|
Cables output directly from the power supply unit |
||
|
20 + 4-pin ATX power connector |
||
|
6 + 2-pin PCIe connector |
||
|
four SATA connectors |
||
|
four PATA connectors |
||
The key information about the Corsair SF450 power supply can be obtained from a sticker located on the sidewall of its housing. The nominal power of the source is 450 W, and it can be completely "removed" from a single channel + 12V. Lines + 3.3V and + 5V have a maximum total power of 100W, which will be more than enough to connect the drives, optical drive and other periphery.
The tested model conforms to the standard 80 PLUS Gold. According to its requirements, the efficiency of the power supply unit at loads of 20%, 50% and 100% of the rated power should not fall below 88%, 92% and 88% respectively (for a supply voltage of 230 V). We will check this moment later during testing. Also worth noting is a wide range of input voltages (100 - 240 V), which allows you to abandon external power regulators in an unstable network.
Internal organization
The internal layout of the Corsair SF450 is very dense, because the manufacturer was faced with a difficult task - to "pack" the 450-W modular solution into such a compact package. Looking ahead, we note that he was quite successful.
For the active cooling of internal components, a 92 mm Corsair NR092L (12 V, 0.22 A, 2.64 W) fan is used, although usually the SFX models use more compact 80 mm turntables.
As for passive heat removal, this role is performed by the L-shaped black radiator. A less obvious cooling element is a curved plate located below the printed circuit board, as well as the body of the power supply unit with which it directly contacts. Through the thermal padding on the plate, heat is removed from the transistors located on the back of the PCB.
Near the input connector is already installed a traditional EMI-filter, responsible for smoothing high-frequency interference, radiated into the network by the power unit. Its element base contains a complete set of all necessary components: a pair of X- and four Y-capacitors, as well as three chokes and a varistor.
The input capacitor of the high-voltage circuit is represented by the Japanese solution Nippon Chemi-Con (390 μF × 420 V) with excellent capacity, both for the 450-watt model. A good pedigree of this element is complemented by its belonging to the high-temperature series (up to 105 ° C), which should have a most positive effect on the power supply's resource. Indirect confirmation of this is the impressive warranty period, which is as much as 7 years.
At the heart of the Corsair SF450 is an efficient half-bridge resonant circuit of the main converter with two keys and a Champion CM6901X controller. The chip itself is located on the back of the PCB, paired with four Alpha and Omega AON6590 field-effect transistors, which are responsible for forming the + 12V line. There is also an APFC controller, represented by a chip Champion CM6500UNX. The output voltage of the + 12V line is filtered by the same Japanese company Nippon Chemi-Con.
The low-voltage part is built on the principle of a synchronous rectifier using DC-DC converters located on the daughter board. With their help, the line voltage is formed + 3.3V and + 5V. From the front side, the components of the LC filters were placed, and on the reverse side - the power part represented by the transistors and the PWM controller ANPEC APW7159. The components responsible for filtering these voltages are located on the board for connecting modular cables.
According to the technical specification, the power unit Corsair SF450 has a full set of protectors:
- from increased voltage (OVP);
- from undervoltage (UVP);
- from short circuit (SCP);
- from power overload (OPP);
- from the overcurrent of each channel (OCP);
- from overheating (OTP).
Supervisor is SITI PS229, located on the back of the main PCB.
Premium SilverStone CS280 enclosure for 8-disk NAS system
More and more organizations and ordinary users require for their work a small NAS server. Ready-made solutions are available for sale or you can build the system yourself using the new SilverStone CS280 package.
It supports the installation of Mini-ITX (170 x 170 mm) or Mini-DTX (203 x 170 mm) motherboards with a maximum of two expansion slots. And to connect 2.5-inch drives are available eight external and one internal seat. At the same time, external compartments support hot-swappable HDD or SSD technology.
Cooling of internal components can be realized by means of two 80-mm fans, seats for which are provided on the front panel. There are also two external USB 3.0 ports and two 3.5-mm audio interfaces. The cost of new items has not yet been reported. A more detailed table of the technical specification of the SilverStone CS280 package:
|
SilverStone CS280 (SST-CS280B) |
|
|
Material of construction |
Aluminum, plastic, SECC-steel |
|
Supported formats of motherboards |
Mini-ITX / Mini-DTX |
|
Expansion Slots |
|
|
8 x 2.5 "(external) |
|
|
Fans |
2 x 80mm (front panel) |
|
External interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
|
|
Supported Power Supply Format |
|
|
Maximum power supply length |
|
|
301 x 221.5 x 176.7 mm |
|
Compact, but powerful and efficient power supplies of the Thermaltake Toughpower SFX series
Previously it was believed that the SFX power supply format is intended solely for the creation of compact and low-power systems. However, the appearance on the market of efficient and energy-efficient components in a small format required manufacturers to rethink the concept of SFX.
The company Thermaltake was one of the first to go for it, presenting the series Thermaltake Toughpower SFX. It consists of two models with a power of 450 and 600 W, the dimensions of which are only 125 x 100 x 63.5, so they will fit perfectly into the compact system. And thanks to the complete ATX-adapter they can be used in ordinary cases.
The novelties are characterized by one powerful + 12V line with a high load capacity, and also a high efficiency (up to 92%), which is confirmed by the received 80 PLUS Gold certificate. They are based on current circuitry and a quality element base (for example, exclusively Japanese capacitors), so they can work even with an overload of up to 540 and 720 watts respectively.
For cooling the internal components, an 80 mm fan with Zero RPM Smart Fan support is responsible: until a certain moment (approximately 15% of the maximum power), it stays idle at all, and then gradually increases its speed as the internal temperature rises. Also new items can boast a fully modular cable system and flexible cables. They will go on sale with a 7-year guarantee.
Comparative table of the technical specification of power supplies of the Thermaltake Toughpower SFX series:
Overview and testing of the case CHIEFTEC UNI UE-02B
At us on testing many compact computer cases which considerably differ from each other have visited. The hero of the current review,, also has small dimensions, but it has a number of additional advantages. These include: support for microATX system boards, which are somewhat cheaper than Mini-ITX analogs, the ability to install a low-profile discrete video card up to 230 mm, a 70-mm processor cooler, and a 5.25-inch optical drive. More that what, where and how it is mounted, how much the components are heated, what the pre-installed PSU is capable of and what the novelty in general is, we will tell further.
Specification
|
Manufacturer and model |
|||
|
Frame size |
Mini Tower / Desktop |
||
|
Supported motherboard form factors |
microATX / Mini-ITX |
||
|
Internal |
1 x 3.5 " |
||
|
Slots for expansion cards |
|||
|
Maximum video card length (in parentheses - own measurements) |
230 mm (251 mm) |
||
|
Maximum height of the video card |
|||
|
Maximum height of the CPU cooler (in parentheses - own measurements) |
70 mm (80 mm) |
||
|
2 x audio port |
|||
|
Possibility to install fans |
2 x 80mm |
||
|
Pre-installed power supply |
CHIEFTEC SFX-250VS (only SFX models are supported) |
||
|
Materials |
Front panel |
||
|
Steel thickness 0.52 mm |
|||
|
Body Dimensions |
410 x 300 x 105 mm |
||
|
Weight with PSU (net) |
|||
|
Warranty, months |
|||
|
Products webpage |
|||
Packing and delivery kit
Model CHIEFTEC UNI UE-02B is packed in a box of plain cardboard. Useful information on it includes the specification of the model, series and power of the pre-installed power supply (in our case 250 W).
The package includes the components necessary for its assembly and the components that simplify the process:
- a set of screws and racks for installing the motherboard and drives;
- set of legs for horizontal orientation;
- 5 cable ties;
- power supply cable.
Appearance
Looks like CHIEFTEC UE-02B very strictly because of the absolute predominance in the design of black. Of the plastic, only two elements are made: a stand for the vertical orientation of the body and the front panel. In the latter case, a glossy coating is used, on which fingerprints are clearly visible, especially on a sunny day.
The interface panel includes a standard for a modern case set of a pair of USB 3.0 and the same 3.5-mm audio jacks. The external compartment here is one - 5.25-inch, where the optical drive will fit. Of course, you can use it only with a horizontal arrangement the system unit.
Near the glossy part of the front panel, there extends a decorative element in the form of a grating (which in fact it is not). On it there are buttons of inclusion and reboot, between which the blue and red LED indicators of moderate brightness have sheltered.
The rear panel is notable for the presence of a power connector, an interface panel cover and plugs for installing devices into expansion slots. There are four in all, but there is additional space between the last one and the bottom wall.
The same space is available on the opposite panel. This is due to the presence on them of 83x83 mm perforations intended for installation of 80-mm fans or 2.5-inch drives. On the top wall there is also a rectangular area (107 x 65 mm) for air intake by the power unit.
It is outputted through the holes in the right side wall, but the perforation on the left allows the intake of air to cool the processor and video card.
For the vertical orientation of the CHIEFTEC UNI UE-02B, a plastic stand comes in the kit, in which it sits tight enough, rising 10 mm from the floor. It also has rubber 1-mm feet, preventing the computer from slipping and scratching the furniture cover.
This method of use is more preferable from the point of view of the occupied space - to place the system unit you need an area of only 410 x 105 mm. And the components are guaranteed to receive cool air, necessary for their cooling. If you want to install the housing horizontally, it should be glued to the complete legs, having a height of 14 mm and a diameter of 25 mm.
CRYORIG OLA and CRYORIG TAKU - the first projects of buildings in the line of an ambitious producer
First of all, CRYORIG is familiar to users due to a wide range of processor cooling systems and fans. Now it became known about the preparation of the first two buildings - CRYORIG OLA and CRYORIG TAKU, which will be shown for the first time within the framework of Computex 2016. While they are still at the design stage, only their approximate characteristics are known.
Both novelties are characterized by a non-standard design, which distinguishes them from the mass of traditional Tower-models. CRYORIG OLA uses a cylindrical body, and CRYORIG TAKU is positioned as a stand under the monitor. Both solutions can accommodate high-grade Mini-ITX motherboards, SFX form-factor power supplies and even long video cards, which allows them to create full-fledged gaming systems on their basis.
To circumvent the problem of overheating components in the CRYORIG OLA model, which allows the installation of processors with a TDP of 100 W, on the sides designers have provided ventilation holes for capturing cold air throughout the entire height. In turn, the pre-installed 140-m CRYORIG XT140 fan on the top wall takes hot air out of the housing.
Model CRYORIG TAKU combines aluminum and wooden elements. Its design allows you to quickly access all the internal components for their replacement or maintenance. And the abundance of ventilation holes will ensure the flow of fresh air inside. In addition, slots are provided for connecting the cables to the inner pads and pulling them out.
Approximate technical specifications of the CRYORIG OLA and CRYORIG TAKU:
FSP Dagger - a series of power supplies of SFX format up to 600 W
The SFX form factor is becoming more and more popular among power supply manufacturers. And it's not about traditional low-power options, but about desktop versions of high power, capable of supporting a productive gaming configuration with one or two Hi-End video cards.
As part of the exhibition Computex 2016, FSP Technology Inc. for the first time will show the general public a new game series of SFX power supplies - FSP Dagger. Initially, it will include two models with a capacity of 500 and 600 watts. They support the standards SFX12V V3.3 and ATX12V V2.4, and the high efficiency of their work is confirmed by the received certificate of 80 PLUS Gold.
In addition to their compact size, the FSP Dagger series power supply units can boast a fully modular cable system, using a quality element base (for example, exclusively Japanese electrolytic capacitors and DC-DC converters) and a slow-moving 80mm double ball bearing fan. The cost of new products and the date of the beginning of their sales, as well as more detailed characteristics, are not specified yet.
Fractal Design Node 202 Overview and Testing
Packing and delivery kit
Model Fractal Design Node 202 packed in a box of plain cardboard. And although it was saved on the quality of her material, but the informativeness of this did not hurt at all, because here you can find detailed information about the design of the novelty and its important features. We will describe all this in detail below.
The components of the case included first of all the components necessary for assembly:
- a set of screws for installing the motherboard, fixing the power supply and drives;
- plastic stand for vertical orientation of the case;
- set of rubber feet for horizontal orientation;
- angled adapter and extension PCI Express x16, as well as screws for its fastening;
- 6 cable ties;
- operating instructions and warranty brochures.
Appearance
Fractal Design products usually have a strict appearance, which is primarily due to the use in the design of predominantly black. Fractal Design Node 202 was no exception. Even plastic elements of a pair of USB 3.0 interfaces, which in most cases have a blue color, are executed in dark colors. Near them are habitual 3.5-mm audio jacks and a power button. Reset button and operation indicator hard drive, as well as external compartments for 5.25- and 3.5-inch devices in this solution are not provided.
The upper part of the plastic border has a practical matte texture, while its bottom is represented by a much more glossy gloss. On the back panel, the darker gamma is diluted by the manufacturer's branding - white perforated plugs covering a couple of expansion slots. In addition, there is also a cutout for the interface panel and a power connector.
A white medium-brightness LED located near the power button informs about the computer status.
The top panel, as well as the bottom, is made of metal, painted black. It has a large perforation just above the processor, so to ensure the best possible temperature, these cutouts should not be overlapped.
On the bottom panel there are already two perforated zones - a large (245 x 105 mm), opposite the video card, and a smaller (105 x 85 mm), near the power supply. Preservation of the surface on which the system unit will be located, as well as free air entry space, is provided by rubber feet 6 mm high, which are fixed to the body with an adhesive base.
For the vertical orientation of Fractal Design Node 202, there is a plastic stand in which it sits tight enough. It also has legs to prevent the computer from slipping and scratching the furniture cover.
This method of use is more preferable from the point of view of the occupied space - to place the system unit you need an area of only 332 x 125 mm. Also, in this case, the components will be guaranteed to receive the cool air necessary for their cooling.
On the bottom and top panels (with vertical placement) there are also perforated areas. Unfortunately, the latter is devoid of a dust filter, so it will be a source of penetration of small particles inside the computer.
Internal organization
Unscrewing the four screws on the bottom panel of the case, with a slight shift up we remove the top cover. Although the outer panel on it is made of metal, it is made of plastic, which provides a place for a removable dust filter. It will not allow the processor to become dusty. Under the cover there is a view of the inner filling of the case.
The place for mounting the PSU is equipped with anti-vibration pads - we did not expect anything else. The power supply itself is screwed to a removable frame using four screws, which greatly simplifies the installation process, and any SFX standard solution with a length of no more than 130 mm is suitable here. After installing it, do not forget to connect the L-shaped connector of the power cable.
Note that the tested case is also available on sale with a pre-installed Fractal Design Integra SFX power supply with a power of 450 W, certified according to the 80 PLUS Bronze standard and equipped with two 6 + 2-pin connectors for video card connection.
Slim body SilverStone RVZ01-E with the ability to install a standard ATX power supply
Traditionally, compact enclosures for Mini-ITX or Mini-DTX motherboards are designed to install SFX form factor power supplies. However, SilverStone engineers decided to integrate the full-featured ATX PSII power supply with a length of up to 150 mm into the SilverStone RVZ01-E model (140 mm option is optimal).
In addition, in the novelty you can place four 2.5-inch drives, a processor cooler up to 83 mm high and a video card up to 330 mm long. That is, the SilverStone RVZ01-E is perfect for creating a stylish, compact and highly productive gaming system or HTPC. As for cooling, in the novelty there are already pre-installed two 120-mm fans. Another place for the 120-mm propeller remains vacant.
For ease of use, this model can be installed in a vertical or horizontal position. Summary table of the technical specification of the SilverStone RVZ01-E enclosure:
|
SilverStone RVZ01-E (SST-RVZ01B-E) |
||
|
Supported formats of motherboards |
Mini-ITX, Mini-DTX |
|
|
Expansion Slots |
||
|
External interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
||
|
Maximum video card length |
||
|
Max. Length of PSU |
||
|
Supported BP formats |
||
|
Cooling system |
Top panel |
|
|
The bottom panel |
1 x 120 mm (1500 rpm, 18 dBA) |
|
|
382 x 105 x 350 mm |
||
|
Estimated cost |
||
A 550-watt power supply unit for the SilverStone SX550 is being prepared for output
In the segment of computer cases, there are many models with a power of 550 watts, so at first glance, the SilverStone SX550 does not offer anything interesting. The uniqueness of this novelty is in the format used SFX, because traditionally the power of such solutions does not exceed 400 watts.
SilverStone SX550 can easily be used in compact gaming systems with one video card. This is facilitated by both its high efficiency (compliance with the 80 PLUS Gold standard) and the presence of two 6 + 2-pin PCIe cables for connecting even top-end adapters. By the way, all cables come directly from the case, and in their composition there are four SATA and two PATA (Molex) in addition.
Cooling the power supply of the SilverStone SX550 is entrusted to a 92-mm fan. Other details of the technical specification of the novelty, including the load capacity of the + 12V channel, are not yet available.
SilverStone Milo ML09 - premium case for HTPC
The company SilverStone continues to please the release of a variety of buildings. This time, she introduced the model SilverStone Milo ML09, which is aimed at using as a basis for HTPC. The novelty can accommodate a Mini-ITX or Mini-DTX motherboard with a maximum of two expansion slots, a SFX power supply, a compact cooler up to 70 mm high and an expansion card up to 175 mm long.
The disk subsystem of the SilverStone Milo ML09 is represented by four 2.5-inch seats. There is also an optical drive slot Slim, but instead, you can install either one 3.5-inch drive, or two 2.5-inch or 120-mm fan.
The air-conditioning system in the SilverStone Milo ML09 is represented by one pre-installed 120-mm fan on the top panel. In pair to it it is possible to add two 80-propellers on a lateral wall. In the set of external interfaces there are two USB 3.0 ports and two 3.5-mm audio. The cost of new items has not yet been specified.
A more detailed table of the technical specification of the SilverStone Milo ML09:
|
SilverStone Milo ML09 (SST-ML09B) |
||
|
Supported formats of motherboards |
Mini-ITX, Mini-DTX |
|
|
Expansion Slots |
||
|
1 x Slim Optical (can be replaced with 1 x 3.5 "/ 2 x 2.5" / 1 x 120mm fan) |
||
|
External interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
||
|
Maximum video card length |
||
|
Supported BP formats |
||
|
Cooling system |
Side panel |
|
|
Top panel |
1 x 120 mm (1500 rpm, 18 dBA) |
|
|
350 x 109 x 205 mm |
||
Corsair SF600W and SF450W - powerful SFX power supplies with 80 PLUS Gold certificate
Traditionally SFX power supplies are characterized by compact size and low power, but Corsair has decided to radically change our perception of this form factor by releasing the Corsair SF600W and Corsair SF450W. First of all, they are aimed at use in Mini-ITX-systems, but the complete ATX-frame will make it easy to install them in larger cases.
The power of novelties is 600 and 450 W, respectively, and the efficiency exceeds 90% (marked with 80 PLUS Gold certificate). Moreover, the Corsair SF600W and SF450W are built using a high-quality component base (exclusively Japanese high-temperature series capacitors (105 ° C)), a fully modular cable system and one high-power + 12V line that is capable of delivering the rated power of the power units.
For cooling internal components, a 92 mm fan with Corsair Zero RPM mode is used. It assumes a temporary suspension of the turntables with a small load on the power source.
Summary table of the technical specification of power supplies Corsair SF600W and SF450W:
Overview and testing of the power supply unit Seasonic SSP-300SFG
The appearance of compact versions of powerful video cards (and others) in the market significantly expanded the scope of application of mini-PCs. Now it is not only a system for working with multimedia and office tasks, but also a full-fledged configuration that can easily cope with the reproduction of modern games. However, at the same time requirements for other components, in particular, for power supplies, have grown. And it's not even about increasing the power consumption. Good stability of output voltages, high efficiency, quiet operation of the cooling system - all these factors also came to the fore. However, given that manufacturers of power sources pay little attention to compact solutions, then in this segment there was a certain shortage of really high-end devices. But, as the saying goes, "a holy place is never empty." Sea Sonic Electronics immediately responded to the situation by releasing several types of compact power supplies that meet the 80 PLUS Gold standard. The solutions for the TFX () and Flex ATX () formats have already been discussed in previous reviews, so now take a closer look at the SFX model, SeasonicSSP-300SFG power of 300 watts.
Specification:
|
Model |
SeasonicSSP-300SFG |
|
|
Rated power, W |
||
|
Power on the channel 12V, W |
||
|
Line power + 3.3V and + 5V, W |
||
|
Number of lines + 12V |
||
|
Outputs, A |
||
|
5Vsb (on-duty power line) |
||
|
Input power voltage, V |
||
|
frequency Hz |
||
|
Input current, A |
||
|
Certified 80 PLUS |
||
|
Power factor (PF),% |
||
|
Power factor compensation method |
Active |
|
|
Configuration of the output cable system |
Wires are output directly from the power supply unit |
|
|
Number of PCIe slots |
||
|
Cooling system |
Active type based on 80-mm fan |
|
|
Dimensions, mm |
100 x 125 x 64 |
|
|
Products webpage |
||
|
Product page |
||
Appearance
The power unit of the Seasonic SSP-300SFG comes in the form of an OEM-version, that is, without a box and additional accessories. This model corresponds to the SFX format and is very compact in size, which together with its relatively high power makes it a good basis for building a mini PC. The location of the ventilation holes is fully in accordance with the ATX version. All cables are routed directly from the power supply housing. Their length, as well as the configuration of the connectors, is given below in the table:
|
Types of connectors |
amount |
Length of wires to connector (s), cm |
|
24-pin ATX power connector |
||
|
4 + 4-pin power connector ATX12V |
||
|
one PATA connector and one FDD |
||
|
three SATA connectors |
In principle, the available number of connectors is enough to connect the components that make up the mini-PC. But given the rather large capacity of the device, you could still add a PCIe connector. Moreover, with only one PATA connector, the use of the PATA-PCIe adapter is not always possible.
Internal organization
At the heart of the Seasonic SSP-300SFG is the same platform as in the recently reviewed power supply unit of the Flex ATX format, the Seasonic SSP-300SUG. The changes are minimal, and most nodes use the same components (even the modular connector has not disappeared from the PCB).
The cooling system consists of a L-shaped radiator and two small plates in the low-voltage part, which are blown by an 80 mm ADDA AD0812MB-D90 fan. The latter is based on a ball bearing and has a power of 2.4 watts. Also in the process of heat dissipation, the power supply body takes an active part, which, through special thermal pads, contacts the power elements located on the back side of the printed circuit board.
At the entrance of the device is installed a two-stage electromagnetic interference filter (two X-capacitors, four Y-capacitors and two two-winding chokes). There was also a place for the varistor, which protects the power supply unit from short-term surges of mains voltage. Straightening of the input electric current is carried out by means of a single diode assembly, which is fixed to the central radiator. Next to it, you can find the power part of the active power factor correction module (APFC) and a storage capacitor manufactured by the Japanese company Hitachi.
The main converter is built on a highly efficient resonant circuit with two Infineon 5R280CE keys. The secondary circuit is an equally effective synchronous rectifier (first a powerful + 12V channel is formed, from which the remaining lines are already cut). The rectification of voltage + 12V is carried out with a pair of diodes 1045UL and two transistors PSMN2R6-40YS, but the power part of DC / DC converters has remained hidden from our eyes. The correct operation of the power supply unit is the result of the connection of PWM controllers NCP1910 + MP6922A.
Stabilization of voltages in the power unit of the Seasonic SSP-300SFG is separate. To filter pulsations, capacitors are also used exclusively of Japanese origin (from Nippon Chemi-Con and Rubycon) and from high-temperature series (up to 105 ° C), which is the key to good quality and long life.
According to the specification, the tested device provides the following list of protections:
- from increased output voltage (OVP);
- from short circuit (SCP);
- from overload on capacity (OPP).
The node itself operates under the control of the controller HY510N.
Testing
Cross-load characteristics
According to ATX12V standard, the permissible range of voltage deviations for all power lines is ± 5% of their nominal value.
During the cross-load tests on the main power lines, the following voltage deviations were recorded:
- line + 3.3V: from -3% to + 2%;
- line + 5V: from -2% to + 1%;
- line + 12V: from 0% to + 2%.
The block of separate stabilization of food showed very good results. On all the lines, the supply voltage fluctuated within a much narrower range than that required by the ATX12V standard, and on the + 12V channel it did not even sink below its nominal value.
Slim body SilverStone Milo ML08 with good functionality
The company SilverStone continues to actively fill the segment of thin and compact cases. Another novelty in it was the model SilverStone Milo ML08, made of steel and plastic, which can be installed vertically or horizontally.
In its design, it resembles a game console, so it will fit perfectly even into the interior of the living room, taking its place near the monitor or Smart TV. SilverStone Milo ML08 allows you to install Mini-ITX motherboards inside with a maximum of two expansion cards, the length of which should not exceed 330 mm. The height of the CPU cooler is limited to 58 mm. And as a power supply, you can use SFX or SFX-L format models.
For mounting drives in the SilverStone Milo ML08 there are two compartments for 2.5-inch solutions. One 3.5- or 2.5-inch drive can be installed only if you do not use expansion cards. There is also a compartment for the 5.25-inch drive with alkaline disk loading.
A more detailed table of the technical specification of the SilverStone Milo ML08:
|
The form factor of supported motherboards |
|
|
Number of expansion card slots |
|
|
Expansion Slots |
1 x 5.25 Slim |
|
Interfaces |
2 x USB 3.0 |
|
Supported power supply formats |
|
|
Maximum length of expansion cards |
|
|
Maximum height of the processor cooler |
|
|
380 x 370 x 87 mm |
|
|
Estimated cost |
- Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 3.4Ghz 16core 40Mb 14nm "\u003e Ryzen Threadripper 1950X 3.4Ghz 16core 40Mb 14nm
- Ryzen Threadripper 1920X 3.5Ghz 12core 38Mb 14nm "\u003e Ryzen Threadripper 1920X 3.5Ghz 12core 38Mb 14nm
- Inexpensive tablet on the characteristics should be so
You can mark you interesting snippets of text,
which will be available through a unique link in the address bar of the browser.
Test of five SFX power supplies: 300W models of SilverStone, Seasonic, FSP, Power Man and Winsis
Lax (Navahu) 12/04/2013 06:00 Page: 1 of 4 | | | | printable version | | | archive
- Стр. 1: Entry, testing participants: SilverStone SST-ST30SF, Seasonic SS-300SFD
- Стр. 2: Participants in testing: FSP300-60GHS, Power Man IP-S300BN1-0, Winsis WMS-300SFX
- Стр. 3: Brief TX, test stand, tools and methodology, test results: SilverStone, Seasonic, FSP, Power Man
- Стр. 4: Test results: Winsis, summary results, conclusion
Introduction
Gradually BP tests on the new mass method become traditional. In the course of these studies, many solutions with a capacity of 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, and have already been considered. A total of more than thirty blocks - a considerable list! However, in all these power categories until now only models have been presented.
It's time to move on to studying compact devices. Moreover, there are almost no tests of SFX form factor blocks in RuNet, and I did not even see large-scale comparisons involving several models, so this topic is very relevant.
Among the power supplies intended for compact computers, there are many specific and low-power (150-180 W) models that do not fit our testing methodology and are unlikely to be of interest to overclockers. That's why for the beginning it was decided to stop on 300-watt blocks. Theoretically, their capabilities are sufficient even for a gaming PC of the middle class. So, I personally watched the system with GeForce GTX 670 and Intel Core i7-4770, overclocked to 4.3 GHz (!), Which worked fine from a small-format 300-Watt PSU.
So, after choosing the category "SFX-blocks with a power of 300 watts", the question remains - what can Moscow retail offer us? After combing the assortment, it turned out that only five models are available to customers today! Not much, but the more interesting and meaningful will be the review, because the laboratory managed to get the site all these units are: SilverStone SST-ST30SF, Seasonic SS-300SFD, FSP 300-60GHS, Power Man IP-S300BN1-0, Winsis WMS-300SFX.
Participants in testing
SilverStone SST-ST30SF
The first in the list is SilverStone SST-ST30SF. This is not an ordinary model for this class, which has many features inherent in full-size ATX solutions.
The PSU is delivered in a small cardboard box (240 x 175 x 75 mm). Looking ahead, I note that this is the only subject who was submitted to the test in the "box" version, all the others - a pure OEM (which, in general, is typical for such devices).
It is clear that this provides the model with better safety during transportation, moreover, the box (in the best traditions of SilverStone) provides exhaustive information about the product: photo, description, list of connectors, power characteristics table.
In addition, the unit has a good set of supplies, which competitors can not boast of.
In addition to the instructions, the power cord and plastic ties, there was a special frame in the box that allows you to install the PSU in a standard format case designed for full-size ATX models.
Dimensions of the device - 125 x 100 x 63 mm (which corresponds to the specifications of the standard SFX), weight - 880 g. The case is painted black (this is worth noting separately, because the remaining models in our set are left unpainted).
The SilverStone SST-ST30SF is equipped with a power button. All the blocks of this class that came to us for testing, the grille covering the fan, is made non-removable:
The size of a small fan is 80 x 20 mm (as with other participants in the test). The real diameter of the nine-bladed impeller is ~ 72 mm.
On the sticker with power characteristics it is noted that the maximum load with a long-term use of the unit can not exceed 300 W. Apparently, a short-term "peak" may be higher, but within the framework of the procedure the unit will be tested only at 250 watts. The current strength on the 12 V line can reach 22 A, which corresponds to a power of 264 W. This is 88% of the device's rating - a very good indicator.
The limitation on the total load on the 3.3 V and 5 V lines is 103 W, while the current on the first can not exceed 21 A, on the second - 20 A. The unit is equipped with the 80 Plus Bronze efficiency certificate, which is typical for full-size PSUs.
All cords of the unit are provided with plastic braiding. To power the motherboard used ATX Mainboard 20 + 4-pin (length of the cable 310 mm), to power the processor - the CPU 4 + 4-pin (length of the cord - 410 mm).
The unit is equipped with a PCI-e 6-pin connector for powering the video card. At first glance, it's not "dense", but none of the competitors has this! Thus, this feature of the Silver Stone model should be considered an undoubted plus.
On one of the peripheral power cords, three SATA connectors are mounted, on the other - two Molex connectors and one connector for connecting the Floppy drive (the length of the first cord is 600 mm, the second one - 700 mm).
In general, the SilverStone SST-ST30SF is just like the "adult" ATX, which is why it was decided to start with it, so that readers could see the contrast with more typical SFX models.
Seasonic SS-300SFD
The case of the power supply unit Seasonic differs unusual shape. The fan is placed in its own compartment:
Unfortunately, this should be noted as a notable disadvantage of this model, because it does not comply with the SFX standard. Dimensions of the device - 125 x 100 x 76 mm, weight - 1120 g. The unit is equipped with a power button.
The fan's size is the same - 80 x 20 mm, the real diameter is ~ 72 mm. But in terms of the number of blades (there are seven of them) and the shape of the impeller, it differs from what is installed on the PSU SilverStone (I note this, since the nine-bladed fans of the rest of the experimental look almost identical).
I do not quite understand the reason why the 12 V line in this block is divided into two virtual components. The current on one of them can reach 14.5 A, on the other - only 8 A. In sum, this gives 22.5 A or 270 watts of power. It's all fair, it's the maximum load the manufacturer has designated on the label. This is 90% of the device's rating - a good indicator.
The total power that can be supplied via the 3.3 V and 5 V lines is 125 W. The current on each of these lines is limited to 20 A. The unit is certified according to the 80 PLUS standard.
To power the motherboard there is a full ATX Mainboard 20 + 4-pin connector (the length of the cable is 320 mm), but to power the processor, unlike the SilverStone unit, the manufacturer decided to use only a single 4-pin CPU (320 mm long) . Not the best option, some modern motherboards can "not get" when connecting such a PSU.
In terms of the number of Molex connectors, this unit bypasses the product SilverStone - there are four such connectors (plus a pair of connectors for Floppy-drives, which is clearly redundant). The length of the cords is 650 mm.
Over the past two years, the love of many users to miniature platforms has increased, and quite strongly. This encouraged many manufacturers to develop SFX form products (enclosures and power supplies). Today, we'll talk about SFX power supplies that are much smaller than their larger and more common ATX counterparts. But with the reduction in the dimensions of the hull decreased, and the maximum power that fits in a small box of SFX. To date, the maximum possible to meet such power supplies up to 600w. That according to the current stereotypes about the gaming PC, not much, although this is only a stereotype. I think about this a little more, for example, the configuration of the Core I7 6700 + GTX1070 or Core I5 6500 + GTX1050 consumes about 300w with a total load of 100%, and with a game load, it's only 200w or minus 20w. For reference The configuration of the Core I7 6700 + GTX1080 eats somewhere around 350 and this if used to the fullest! It can be concluded that the gaming high-performance config with one top-end video card requires no more than 350w if it's a bunch of Intel + Nvidia. Unfortunately, the use of AMD products of the same performance class in both cases will be much more voracious.
And if you bring my thoughts on the above subject to a logical conclusion. That it is possible to say with confidence that for a productive gaming PC with one video card 300-350w is enough. All this is a fairly lengthy but informative introduction to the idea that an ultra-compact PC with good performance can be built boldly on low-power SFX form factor power supplies. And then immediately move on to the fact that in this case, happiness is not in the number of watts but in their quality. Today, we will see a rather rare representative of SFX power supplies with a power of 300w with the certificate 80+ Bronze Be Quiet! SFX POWER 2 300W.
Packing and equipment
The power supply is delivered in a small black box, in the standard Be Quiet! Design. On its front panel you can see the image of SFX POWER 2 itself and the signature 300W.
From the back you can observe quite detailed description on english language. Graphically presented data on the size of the BP, the length of the wires and the number of connectors. In the lower corner on the left side there is data on the power per line.
The ends and side walls are practically unremarkable except for the description in German, Polish, Spanish and French. Unfortunately, there is no description on the native and understood Russian description.
Inside the box is the UPS itself carefully packed in a bubble bag, manual, power cable, a set of screws and clamps.
Appearance and features of the structure
Now finally go to more detail to the appearance of the BP. Before us is a power supply unit of SFX form factor, the dimensions of which are equal to 100х125х63,5 mm. In principle, everything is more than standard, for BP, a black metal case and wires, just a little less. But in appearance, I will stay a little longer, since it is worth while to explain. SFX POWER 2 has no modular design, which has both pluses and minuses. Let's start with the latter, probably in very compact systems (for which the SFX is designed), it's not so convenient to lay and correctly place the wires, and I doubt that all the wires will be used, so the non-modular design in this scenario does not look the best. But there are not so many wires, and they are so soft that they will not cause any special problems. We can say that this is not a minus but a niggard. Now to the pluses or rather the plus, one, but fat. It consists in the fact that the cost of a PSU with a non-modular design is much lower, and given that this is a very compact form factor, in this case "modularity" can be worth a penny more in comparison with analogy in ATX. I think the idea is clear and you can move on.
The surface of the rear (outer) part is completely perforated, this is made for the exit of hot air, outwardly pumped by the fan. Just here there is an on / off button and a connector for connecting the power cable.
Sidewalls and inner butt are not very noticeable, below are their photos (and do not need extra words ...) 
But now to a more interesting and a bit strange. Engineers Be Quiet! for some reason they decided to make more than one 12VB line and two. And it looks like this line 12V2 with a load limit of 16A on it hangs the power of the motherboard 24pin and 4pin power connector CPU. If you calculate, then this line can maximize ~ 192W of this more than enough for the overclocked CPU. On the 12V1 line, the load limit is 14 A, everything else hangs on it and we are particularly interested in the PCI Express connector. The 12V1 line can give out as much as possible ~ 168W, which is rather modest, but for medium video card more than enough. By the way, we should not forget that part of the power supply of the video card is taken from the PCI Express 16x slot, which means that the line is 12V2. In general, everything looks very good, and if you fold it will turn out to be more than 300W. But do not rush, the total load limit for the lines 12V1 and 12V2 is 24A, after crossing this limit the BP will go into protection. It remains to mention that for secondary voltages a slightly higher load limit of 21A / 20 A is possible, providing power up to 103W. For 12V lines, the total power can be up to 264W. 
On the other hand, there is an 80mm blower fan. 
Also there is a seal in case of damage, to which the owner is deprived of the guarantee. 
Now let's pay a little more attention to the fan and its work. As already mentioned here, an 80mm fan is used, but there is an important feature, it's low-profile thickness is 15mm. And so it is with the usual non-proprietary knurled impeller Be Quiet! It so happened that there are no low-profile branded fans. Another thin fan differs in that it is built on a conventional bushing (slide bearing), the benefit today they learned to do them well. Model of the fan MGA8012YS-A15. 
The minimum speed of the fan is 1250 rpm, for a low-profile 80k it is very small and as a result it is very quiet. The operation of the fans is designed so that only after exceeding 60% of the BP load, the fan starts to work more actively, and in the range up to 60% of the load, only a slight increase in the speed of 1300-1400 rpm can occur. After overcoming the limit of 60% of the load, the fan accelerates to 1500 rpm, remaining still as quiet. And with the transition for 80% of the line, the impeller spins up to 2100 rpm and even in this mode it remains rather quiet. 
Now go to the wires, a little more attention to detail and quality. Below is an image on which the length of each cable is quite clearly indicated. 
Plastic connectors of tori of excellent quality, as there are no censures to braid. 
Test stand
For the load on the power supply unit, a test stand based on incandescent lamps with a capacity of 50W each answered. During testing, both 12V lines were used. To measure electricity consumption from the outlet, the Zalman ZM-MFC3 controller was used. The DT830B multimeter was responsible for voltage monitoring. The digital sound level meter was used to measure the sound pressure level, from a distance of ~ 15cm, the minimum noise measurement limit is 30dB, the noise level in the room is 30.5-31.5dB, the data below 33-34dB can be considered absolutely noiseless , the error can be 1 dB. Test results
Certificate 80+ Bronze, confirmed.
Deviations in the lines 12v - 5v - 3.3v, in the limits of the norm.
The power supply unit works rather quietly, it will remind itself only at maximum load.
