Seasonic S12 Energy Plus: Efficient Power for Connoisseurs

[drees]

Interesting, I wonder if they all come with an adapter plate?

[krille]

So the S12 Energy+ 550 is quieter than the 650 at equal loads, correct?

Then, it's quite the dilemma to choose. Although efficiencies at ~10% load or less weren't spectacular, I think what ultimately counts is noise and these new Energy+s seems quieter. I mean 8W extra total power draw (compared to ideal 80% efficiency at 40W) isn't that much, if you can afford a computer. Although I do agree relatively speaking 16% extra power draw sounds like a lot. At 65W power draw, the extra total power draw (compared to ideal 80% efficiency) decreases to only 6W for an increase of just 7%.

Edit: Accidentally hit "Submit" instead of "Preview". Anyway, I think the trade-off is well-worth it for the reduction in noise. I do agree though, an SS-style low-wattage high-efficiency PSU assembled S12 style would be amazing. At least these new Energy+s are a fair improvement to their current 500 and 600 non-Energy+s. I'm considering an upgrade myself. I still gotta know about the question above first, though.

Btw, so the "minimum load" cold boot bug is fixed now? (Actually I think it was fixed with the sleeved revision already, but my S12-600 is unsleeved and has those issues. Ie, it won't boot together with my DFI LP nF4 SLI-DR. However one of these Energy+s should, right?)

~ Kris

[MikeC]

So the S12 Energy+ 550 is quieter than the 650 at equal loads, correct?

No. They are identical except that the 650 has slightly higher output capability.

[dhanson865]

So the S12 Energy+ 550 is quieter than the 650 at equal loads, correct?

http://www.silentpcreview.com/article656-page3.html clearly states the fans are different and http://www.silentpcreview.com/article656-page4.html shows that SPL measurments are higher on the 650 when the DC Output is 500 watts or higher.

The 550 is noisier only at 400 watts DC output.

At 200 watts DC output and below both units are so quiet you won't care if there is a difference.

I personally don't care about the noise level of the 650 as I wouldn't consider buying it for the type of setups I build but I can't see how you can look at that article and say the sound is identical at all output levels.

[MikeC]

I can't see how you can look at that article and say the sound is identical at all output levels.

Well the SPL differences between the 550 and 650 show up around 400W load, but by this point, they're effectively the same: At 36 or 38 dBA/1m, they're both loud.

Seriously, there's really not much to differentiate between 40 and 43 dBA at full load, either. I've listened to both; in real use, I have a hard time believing anyone could hear the differenes between these models.

If there was a 2-3 dBA difference at 20~30 dBA/1m, then it would be much more significant, but at much higher levels, the same measured difference does not sound the same, subjectively. It must have something to do with how close to audibility threshold the noises are on the low end, and how much beyond your "acceptably quiet" tolerance level is at the high end.

Perhaps for someone else the difference between 40 and 43 dBA might be significant; it is not to me. I would simply not tolerate either if I could control it -- as in my own PC.

[gb115b]

hi, i have picked up a couple of 650s recently and they've been quite poor in the noise stakes...could have just been tough luck on my part..

i first purchased a 650 when they first came out and found it to be brilliant powerign a x6800 and x1950xtx...

i recently bought another one to power a e6400 and 7600GT + 10 Hds (file server)

this a) exhibited an annoying ticking noise (faulty fan)
and b) ramped up the fan far more than the previous power supply (S-12 600 - which i replaced as it was problematic due to low 12V lines)

i sent the one with the faulty fan back and got another one...
the fan still exhibits a lot more noise than my first model, and still ramps up a lot. i.e. i can hear it above 10hds and 4 120mm scythe fans...

anyone corroborate? or have i just got duff ones?

[the_smell]

I've heard similar noise from my new psu. I just went from a S12-430 to a 650+ after upgrading my rig (AM2 4600+ to 6000+ and added another 7950 for sli) because I thought the 430 wouldn't have anough juice for the sli (yes 'juice' is about as good as my understanding gets). The fan definitely ramps up a little with folding, and goes a bit louder if I have a big session on lightwave or start playing a game, but thankfully the fan noise remains smooth. But since I'm probably breaking 300W at full load the noise level is at a guess in line with what is said i the article.
It's a little annoying to loose the 430 but using sli was unstable and i didn't want to break anything!

[gb115b]

i'm not sure what to do, might try a corsair 620,

but it seems that they may have changed the fan / controller i'll have to compare it against my old machine... definitely seems a lot louder...

[merlin]

i'm not sure what to do, might try a corsair 620,

but it seems that they may have changed the fan / controller i'll have to compare it against my old machine... definitely seems a lot louder...

It also sounds like there's too much heat going into the Psu. See if there's any way you can reduce the temperature of the air going into the seasonic.