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MP3 SOUND RECORDINGS
Each of these recording start with 6~10 seconds of silence to
let you hear the ambient sound of the room, followed by 10 seconds of
the product's noise.
- Seasonic M12II-430 at 20~150W output, 21 dBA@1m: One meter
- Seasonic M12II-430 at 200W output, 24 dBA@1m: One meter
- Seasonic M12II-430 at 250W output, 21 dBA@1m: One meter
Sound Recordings of PSU Comparatives
- Seasonic Eco Power 300 at 20~90W output, 23 dBA@1m: One meter
- Seasonic S12II-380 at up to ~200W output, 21 dBA@1m: One
meter
- Seasonic M12-700 at up to ~250W output, 21 dBA@1m: One
meter
- Corsair VX450W at up to ~250W output, 22 dBA@1m: One
meter
- Sparkle Power SPI220LE at 65W output, 21 dBA@1m: One meter
HOW TO LISTEN &
COMPARE
These
recordings were made with a high resolution, studio quality, digital
recording system, then converted to LAME 128kbps encoded MP3s. We've
listened long and hard to ensure there is no audible degradation from
the original WAV files to these MP3s. They represent a quick snapshot
of what we heard during the review. Two recordings of each noise level
were made, one from a distance of one meter,
and another from one foot away.
The
one meter recording is intended to give you an idea of how the subject
of this review sound in actual use — one meter is a reasonable typical
distance between a computer or computer component and your ear. The
recording contains stretches of ambient noise that you can use to judge
the relative loudness of the subject. For best results, set your volume
control so that the ambient noise is just barely audible. Be aware that
very quiet subjects may not be audible — if we couldn't hear it from
one meter, chances are we couldn't record it either!
The
one foot recording is designed to bring out the fine details of the
noise. Use this recording with caution! Although more detailed, it may
not represent how the subject sounds in actual use. It is best to
listen to this recording after you have listened to the one meter
recording.
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CONCLUSIONS
The M12-II is a different beast from the original M12. The M12-II fixes the main problem with the original version: It no longer has a second
fan to create extra noise and it doesn't dump waste heat back into the system.
It's still modular, and it is available at prices and capacities that make sense for most mainstream / quiet PC systems.
It is no longer the high-end luxury piece that the M12 was. The model range of just two models at 430W and 500W is surprising, and the power ratings quite modest for today's DIY market. It's nice that the fan isn't nailed to the floor
by its controller until 300W output. It is an excellent choice (one of many) for a midrange modular power supply, and it's sure to be quiet under most circumstances. It will probably ramp up a bit under high load in a system with a powerful video card, multiple hard drives and perhaps a hot quad-core CPU.
For best results, the M12-II should be used in systems that consume 200W or
less. It's quiet at these levels, the electronics are excellent quality, and
it has modular cables. But, let's face it, these days, it's actually easier to build a system that stays under 200W than one that exceeds 200W. Whether by coincidence or intelligent design, this happens to be the power level where the 85% efficiency peak is reached as well.
All in all, the M12-II is a solid addition to Seasonic's lineup, even though it doesn't really break new ground. Because of Seasonic's pedigree, it's quiet and efficient — and it brings modular cables to a reasonable power point. Still, it has lived up to type: The M12-II feels exactly like a sequel. In this case, it's not a bad thing. There are many quiet PC enthusiast who will find the M12II fits their needs perfectly.
Much thanks to Seasonic
USA for this review sample.
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SPCR Articles of Related Interest:
Power Supply Fundamentals
Recommended Power Supplies
Power Distribution within Six PCs
SPCR PSU Test Rig V.4
Seasonic S12II-380 Power Supply
Seasonic Goes High End Gaming with the M12
Corsair HX520W & HX620W Modular Power Supplies
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Discuss this article in the SPCR Forums.
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