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Product
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Platinum Series Fanless
520
(SS-520FL2 Active PFC F3)
ATX/EPS12V power supply |
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Manufacturer
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Seasonic |
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Street Price
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US$150 |
This Seasonic fanless power supply became inevitable when the 80 PLUS Platinum
efficiency class was created. The Seasonic 400W
and 460W X-series models were the first fanless PSUs from Seasonic, released
two years ago in Q4 of 2010. Those 90% efficient PSUs swept all other fanless
models in every measure of performance. The only serious competition was the
fanless Platinum class Kingwin
Stryker STR-500, which appeared almost immediately after the X-series fanless
and surpassed the Seasonic X series in efficiency. With greater brand presence
and probably better global distribution, the Seasonic X-series models have become
the defacto choice for fanless PSUs, but Kingwin had already thrown down the
gauntlet with the Stryker STR-500.
The Platinum Series Fanless 520W is Seasonic's answer to that challenge, albeit
a long time in the making. Seasonic has had over two years of continuous production
experience with the extensive 80 PLUS Gold X-series to bring to their new line,
so consumer expectations of the new Platinum models has got to be high. The
first model was the 1000W, announced with the 860W; 660W and 760W models are
coming, but the 520W fanless is actually the second Seasonic Platinum to make
it to market. The Platinum Fanless 520W is a natural evolution of the X-400
and X-460 which preceded it. It shares the same casing, completely modular cables,
and similar internal layout. New 460W and 400W Platinum models will displace
the earier X-series models. (Note: Most these products are already selling at
Newegg at time of posting, Dec 11.)
Long time SPCR readers need little introduction to Seasonic. The core story
of this Taiwanese company is that it started as an audio hifi amplifier company
in the 1970s, then expanded into making switching power supplies mostly for
Apple computers, became a well-respected OEM/ODM PSU manufacturer along the
way, and about a decade ago, began marketing and selling PSUs under its own
brand name as well. They attracted SPCR's attention with a then-unique approach
to PSU cooling, which kept the internal fan running at very slow speed except
at higher loads. Seasonic PSUs were the quietest out-of-the-box when I first
started reviewing them, and they have always been at the top of our Recommended
PSU list.
The retail package is the same size as the X series fanless, and its graphics
are in lighter shades, but still classy as per Seasonic norm. If you have
a chance to handle the box in a store, you'll find a massive amount of
data and information all over it. It is obviously designed to persuade
you to to purchase; too bad so few of us actually buy components in a
brick-and-mortar store these days.
Well packed in shock-resistant closed cell foam, with cables in a double-section
pouch and the PSU in a velour draw-string bag.
Here's all the contents of the box. Note that except for the main ATX
cable, all the output cables are of the flat data-cable style.
The prominent caution label about PSU installation position used in the
X-series fanless models has been retained. |
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