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The retired models may still be available in some markets, and they may still be quite suitable for many systems. If you have one that's working quietly for you in your system, be happy.
| RETIRED |
Q
|
N
|
Comments |
| TKPower 300 |
5
|
9-
|
Fanless PSU only suitable for lower power systems. Runs hot. Not recommended for P4 systems. Non-standard form factor requires custom fitting into case. Maximum recommended load without fan is ~80W. Requires fan for full 300W power output. Q marked down because of preliminary coil noise in sample that mysteriously faded to very low levels after some weeks. Article 7/02. Price: ~$195. BETTER OPTIONS NOW. retired April 2005. |
| CoolMax Taurus CF-300 |
6+
|
9
|
The black anodized aluminum casing acts as a big heatsink and efficiency is very high. It not equipped with PFC at all. 12V current is 15A, a bit low by today's standards, it seems to run fairly hot, and the sample unit showed a malfunction in not turning off normally although otherwise OK. Recommended with caution. Reviewed. Price: ~$150. MANY BETTER MODELS NOW AVAILABLE retired Oct 2005. |
| Antec
Phantom 350 |
5+
|
9-
|
>80% efficiency, strong dual-12V current capability of 34A combined, and seemingly effective cooling for all internal components by conduction to the heavy external casing. Slight buzzing inaudible in normal use, 3 year warranty. No PFC in 120VAC model; APFC in 230VAC EU model. Reviewed. Price: ~$150. Caution: First production run seems to have a high rate of failure, which Antec has dealt with responsibly. Q rating marked down 1 point until reliability looks improved. See this SPCR Forum thread. PHASED OUT. Dec 1/06. |
Seasonic S12-430
(SS-430HB Active PFC) |
7+
|
8
|
Higher efficiency and very low noise (18~22 dBA@1m) up beyond fairly high power loads (~200W). ATX12V 2.0 compliance, high 12V current capability, excellent fan controller and quiet 12cm fan. Reviewed. Price: ~$100. April 5/05. REPLACED BY S12II SERIES. retired March 2008. |
Seasonic S12-500 / 600
(SS-500/600HT Active PFC F3) |
7+
|
8
|
These 500W and 600W models have different circuitry than the lower powered S12s, slightly higher noise, and even higher efficiency. ATX12V 2.0 compliance, high 12V current capability, PCIe VGA connectors. Excellent fan controller. Reviewed. April 5/05. REPLACED BY S12II SERIES. retired March 2008. |
Seasonic S12-330 & 380
(SS-330HB Active PFC) |
7+
|
8?
|
The 330 is similar to S12-430 but the fan tends to get faster at slightly lower power than high power models. Newer sleeved version reviewed. The 380 was not officially tested but is used around the lab. It has the same size heatsinks as the 430, so the noise curve is pretty much identical to the 430. Aug 14/06. REPLACED BY S12II SERIES. retired March 2008. |
Seasonic SS-400HT 80+
(SS-400HT Active PFC F3) |
7+
|
8
|
Same circuitry as in S12-500/600, this is a specially modified 80+ approved model that has higher efficiency especially at low loads. Same characteristics as the S12-500/600, otherwise. >85% max. efficiency is highest measured with newly calibrated test rig (v3). Probably very hard to find, as it is a non-retail product. Reviewed. Sept 2005. No longer available, retired March 2008. |
Seasonic Super Tornado 300
(SS-300FB Active PFC) |
7
|
8
|
With Super Silencer series, among the highest efficiency PSUs available, up to 78%, and >75% efficiency at any power level. 120mm fan. Active PFC, cable management kit, ATX12V v1.3 compliance, very high 12V current capacity. 3 yr warranty. When in a good airflow case, review samples are the quietest tested thus far and would be at the top of this list; however, a portion of the first batch have had significant fan noise & non-start issues, and buyers are cautioned to read through the PSU forms. Reviewed. Rev. A3 released late May '04 corrects previous fan controller inconstencies and improves efficiency to over 80%. Rev.A3 review. Price: $65. REPLACED BY S12 SERIES. retired April 2005. |
Seasonic Super Silencer 300, 350
(SS-350/400 AGX APFC) |
7
|
7
|
Identical technology as Seasonic Super Silencer 400. Very high efficiency, very low noise, smart fan controller works very well in Rev. A3 released ~end of May '04. Based on Firsthand experience. BEING PHASED OUT. retired April 2005. |
| Enermax NoiseTaker 475 |
7
|
6
|
High efficiency for this 470W non-PFC model. Though min. noise is bettered by other models (in med & high power categories) due to dual fans' bearing noise, for high power systems, it will stay at min spin speed to much higher power level and temp. Cables way too stiff -- but improved in later production) Reviewed Price: ~$99. April 4/04. DISCONTINUED; replaced by 495AX. Jan 3/06 |
| Enermax Noisetaker 325 Active PFC |
7
|
6
|
Identical technology as Enermax Noisetaker 475 below, but with Active PFC: Very high efficiency, very low noise, smart fan controller. Based on Firsthand experience. June 2004. DISCONTINUED. Jan 3/06 |
Antec SmartPower 2-450
450W ATX12V 2.0 PSU |
6
|
6
|
Dual 80mm push-pull cooling, with external fan that turns only at higher loads. Very quiet at low load, gets noisier more quickly with load than higher ranked models on this list. Good performance, good cooling, good efficiency. Reviewed. DISCONTINUED. July 28/07 |
|
Enermax Noisetaker 701
EG701AX-VE SFMA 2.0
|
7
|
5
|
A 600W model with high efficiency optimized for the new generation of very high power dual-VGA SLI systems. Not as quiet as the 475, but quiet considering power capability. Cables now much more flexible. Reviewed ~$170. April 5, 2005. NOTE: This unit has been replaced by an SLI-certified 701AX with PCIe connectors; it's not identical to the sample tested, but acoustics are said to be the same. DISCONTINUED. July 28/07 |
| Nexus NX-3000 |
6
|
5
|
Very quiet, with tight line voltage regulation and good cooling despite quiet fan. Looks similar to Zalman. Passive PFC. Stamped grill vent only downside. Reviewed Price: $75. 11/29/02. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Nexus NX-4090 |
6
|
5-
|
120mm fan PSU based on Fortron design, with good performance and good cooling is very quiet to ~150W load. In actual use, slightly quieter than earlier NX-3500 model. Fan ramps up too quickly. For low noise operation, care must be taken to ensure good case airflow. Reviewed June 17/03. Price: ~$100. April 5/05. Old outmoded design, long surpassed. Aug 14/06 |
| Seasonic SS-300FS non-PFC |
6
|
5-
|
Modestly priced Seasonic has 2 main differences from APFC model below - no PFC and a sleeve-bearing fan that is at least 2 dBA quieter and much smoother sounding. High >75% average efficiency. Reviewed Price: $45. June 19/03. PHASED OUT. retired April 2005. |
| Verax F300PPFC-80KP |
6
|
4+
|
As quiet or quieter than Nexus NX3000, with identical characteristics except the fan. Unusual "static" noise signature to Verax fan, which has very little low-frequency noise. Reviewed Price: $EUD119. 11/29/02. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Nexus NX3500 |
6
|
4
|
120mm fan 350W PSU w/smooth sounding fan that's very quiet at default level. Fan ramps up too quickly. Overall performance similar to 120mm Fortron. Reviewed Price: $80. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired Sept 2005. |
| Seasonic SS-400FS APFC |
6
|
4
|
Higher power version of SS300-APFC with S2FC fan control is quietest 400W unit encountered. Noise performance is actually better than 300W-APFC model because fan speed is kept low to a higher temperature/load. Active PFC. Firsthand. Price: ~$99. Comments revised June 19/03. PHASED OUT. retired April 2005. |
| Zalman ZM300A-APF |
7
|
4
|
Quiet 300W, cool operation, big heatsinks, intelligent fan control. Handy 5V/12V multiconnector for fans. Active PFC. Sample exhibited a negligible amount of coil buzzing. Reviewed Price: $75. 6/02. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Seasonic SS-300FS Active-PFC |
6
|
4
|
Quiet 300W, neck & neck with Zalman. High efficiency. A bit of fan ball bearing noise keeps unit from the top of this list. All Seasonic PSU utilize their smart S2FC fan control for minimum noise. Active PFC for excellent energy conservation. Note: All Seasonic PSUs feature the S2FC fan control 6/02. Reviewed Price: $59. Comments revised June 9/03. PHASED OUT. retired April 2005. |
|
Q-Technology QT-02300
(300W Ultra-Quiet PSU)
|
5
|
4
|
Quiet thermister controlled fan remains that way under substantial load. Excellent quality fan, low airflow, runs hot, and case airflow suffers somewhat. Good sized heatsinks. Q marked down for some coil whine in test system. Needs good case airflow. Active PFC. Reviewed Price: $79. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Zalman ZM400B |
7
|
3
|
Similar to Nexus and SilenX 400W models, this rugged PSU is based on the ATX12X V1.3 compliant Fortron, with higher 75% efficiency. Noise is similar to 80mm Nexus PSU. Nice package and handy multiconnector for fans. Reviewed ~$110. Old outmoded design, long surpassed. Aug 14/06 |
| SilenX 14dB 400W |
6
|
3
|
Good quality Fortron-based model with massive HS and quietest 80mm fan ever encountered. Starts inaudibly but ramps up to much higher volume under load due to simple linear themperature / voltage curve in fan control circuit. Airflow is very low, so great care must be taken to ensure very good case airflow to ensure quiet performance. Reviewed Comments revised June 19/03. Price: ~$119. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Fortron FSP350-60PN Aurora |
5
|
3
|
120mm blue-LED fan, manual speed control, small heatsinks, linear thermal fan control. Default noise level is higher than with most 80mm fan quiet PSUs, humming more than most. High cooling power when fan speeds up. Reviewed Price: $75. 6/02. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Nexus NX-4000 |
7
|
3
|
Quiet high power PSU based on Fortron design, with tight voltage regulation, high over-current capability and very good cooling. Simple linear themperature / voltage curve in fan control circuit seems same as in SilenX 400; this plus ball bearing noise in fan inhibits noise performance. For low noise operation, care must be taken to ensure good case airflow. Active PFC. Rugged looking construction. Reviewed Price: ~$105. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Antec
TrueControl 550 |
7
|
2
|
Quiet at under 100W power delivery, modest up to >150W, incredibly full featured with manual fan speed bypass, fine line voltage adjust on front panel (of PC!), outputs for case fans to keep them at same low voltage as PSU fans, and a spare 4-pin DC output on back panel, this 2-fan model puts out very tightly regulated voltage on all lines all way to its max power of 550W. Same guts as TruePower and TrueEPS12V models. Reviewed Price: ~$160 TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
|
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 275ATX
|
5
|
2
|
Quiet performance by single fan 275W unit from one of the earliest quiet PSU makers. A little bearing chatter may be specific to test sample, as samples of 80mm fan used in unit don't exhibit same. Decent HS, build quality. Combined 3.3V + 5.5V rating lower than 300W units. First-hand. Price: $79. TOO LONG SINCE REVIEW. retired April 2005. |
| Antec
TruePower 380 |
5
|
2
|
Quiet, 380W unit; 2 fans noisier than quietest 1 fan models. Unique outputs for case fans to keep them at same low voltage as PSU fans. Independent voltage lines. All TruePower models should exhibit the same noise level. Early samples exhibited unexplained coil buzz on reference P4 system; not heard in later samples. First-hand. Price: $70. TOO LONG SINCE LAST EXAMINED. retired April 2005. |
