I learned the hard way that cheap power supplys don't last. I have been looking at this one and it appears to review well. It seems like out of all the sites on the net, SPCR seems to have a better handle on testing power supplys, so I decided to post a question about this particular power supply here. Any info would be appreciated, I want to stay under $100, but want one that will serve me well for a few years. Thanks

I'd read through the entire PSU Fundamentals and Recommended PSU's article on the main SPCR page and choose one from there.

BTW - WELCOME TO SPCR!!!

I just ordered the Cool Master RS-450 (active PSU version) today from Newegg. Like you I read all the reviews and everything they had to say about it was good. What really sold me was the extra 50 watts and hearing the unit "run" from a video review done by 3dgameman.com, in the video they turn the unit on and let it run a bit - it seemed very very quiet, almost silent. Btw, the unit spins at 1200 RPM from the start so you don't need to have a load to know how loud it will be.

I almost got a Seasonic, which is recommended on this web site. But the Seasonic Super Tornado doesn't offer a model with more then 400 watts. Don't get me wrong 400 watts should be more then enough but it's always nice to have a bit more then you actually need - for future expansion. But from what I've read the Seasonic seems like the best bet if you're going to replace the PS fan. I've read from some people that the Seasonic fan isn't as quiet as they have hoped - don't know if they had the Rev.A03 version or not. But after visiting both Seasonic and Cooler Master web site I noted the RPM and dba for each unit. The Seasonic Super Tornado's fan is rated at 1500 to 2500 RPM with 22 to 38/40 dba (they don't state a max. sound limit but the graph looks like they're in this range). While the Cooler Master's RS-450 fan is rated at 1200 RPM to 2400 RPM with sub 20 to 28/30 dba (based on the graph). The good thing is the Cooler Master doesn't seem to increase the fan speed until 50% load (225 watts) so it should stay in the sub 20 dba level. But these are just numbers on paper.

I'll post back after I get mine setup and let you know how it sounds - don't have any meters so my real ear will have to be the benchmark. But I do know one thing - it has to be quieter then my Enermax "whisper" 465 watt unit (EG465P) that it's replacing. I'm also replacing my Intel CPU heatsink/fan with an Arctic Cooling 4Pro TC - not the best out there but for $18 bucks delivered it's the best buy for less noise (12 to 23 dba). Plus I don't need much cooling for my P4 2.26Ghz/533. But I will take the recommendation on this site for the Thermaltake XP-120 if I upgrade to a faster CPU - that combo with a volted down 120mm fan seems like a silent PC freaks dream (other then doing water cooling - much more money and setup hassle).

I love the fact that this site exists, saved me a lot of time and effort in research. But I do wish it had a bit more reviews of other products, along with reviewing new products as they are released - like the Cooler Master RS-450. I just hope they continue to keep up the great work that they do because I appreciate their efforts.

We are already working on the review of the RealPower 450 from Cooler Master.

That's great news! Just hope SPCR finds it to be a good unit. Perhaps in the future SPCR can post a "preview" of new products that are being reviewed so people can get a taste as to what is to come - ex: initial impression. I know all the benchmarks and research take a lot of time and effort. It just would be nice to get an early preview of sorts from people that care about silent stuff.

This unit alone had me skeptical for a while that an Enermax PSU could possibly be silent.

Yeah, the Enermax isn't even close to being silent, let alone quiet. But it's quieter then the standard "junk" PS that come with most PC cases. I'd bet that this unit is putting out 30 to 38 dba. The power supply itself is very good and I did think about just replacing the fans to get my setup quiet. But after doing some reading about active vs. passive PSU and considering the eff. % (heat) of the unit I decided it would be best to get a new unit, even if I have to replace the fan on the new unit. I plan to keep my PC on 24/7 once it's quieter so having a good eff. % and active PSU will save some in the way of my electric bill - not as ton of cash since I'm not going to be running my PS at full load 100% of the time. But the savings over a year should hopefully be enough to pay for the PS itself. But that'll be almost impossible for me to benchmark.

I just wish there was a group that cert. noise levels of products so the numbers on the box match what you really get. It's really a crime for people to want a quieter PC and go out to a local store or online and buy products that say "quiet", "whisper", "silent", and get a product which is quieter then before but no where near what it could/should be. Sort of like a PC monitor - you shouldn't be able to say the monitor is 19" when it's only really 18". Oh well, maybe I should just dream on a bit more...it'll never happen.

Hey thanks for all the input. Any idea on when the review will be done? I guess after seeing your review I'll be able to make my final choice. I don't mind spending a little more I just want to make sure this one is a good one and handle my 2.4@3 ghz overclocked machine.

Lucid thanks I didn't know 3dgameman did a review as well.

Sorry, not entirely sure; just finished shooting half of the pics last night; pretty much all the external shots. Need to do the internal shots tonight or tomorrow night, and then do some other stuff in terms of general specifications, listening tests etc. after that before passing it all on to Mike, who will also have a sample of this PSU (don't worry--this review will be done consistently like any other PSU review here, I'm just doing the photos).

-Ed

Ed, what was your initial impression with the Cooler Master RS-450 unit (sound wise)? Did you plugged the unit in and at least fire it up? If so, how did it sound to you're ears? Does it seem silent worthy enough to be a shoot out with some of the other PSU in the recommendation section? Just trying to get a taste before my unit comes in on Friday - hope it's at least on par with some of the recommended units (in the silent area).

A bit off topic for this area but how would you rate the Tsunami case? Also, what do you think about getting the Tsunami Ultra Quiet pre-mod'ed at http://www.mnpctech.com/TsunamiVA3000.html I currently have an old all steel In-Win full tower case, which is nice and solid but I'm looking for something with a bit more style and better airflow. Also wondered about the Sonex foam they use - haven't heard much about it, except that it doesn't last too long before breaking down. If that's the case I wonder why they don't use other material that will last longer in the Tsunami Ultra Quiet mod.

No, I have not yet powered it up or done listening tests, sorry.

I've mentioned the Tsunami in the past; posted up a quickie on it in these forums (just use the search function for it). However, I can outline some of the important items here for you.

1) In general, if you do not need the case to be lighter weight, a steel enclosure is always the superior choice for PC silencing or building a quiet PC in general; aluminum enclosures are much more prone to rattling or humming, and because the Tsunami is technically similar to the D8000, which is steel, I'd say spring for the steel D8000 instead (unless, as I said, weight is of concern to you, as it was for me).

2) I'm assuming you're going for better acoustics than I am with my Tsunami--going along those lines, I just want to let you know that the stock fan mounting system does not utilize normal 120mm fan hole positions, so when you go to softmount your fans, you will need to get a little craftier than just using straight rubber grommets. It normally involves cutting up sponge or foam.

3) The thick aluminum door on the Tsunami is both, a strength and a weakness. One the one hand, its thickness and general mass mean that it is easily among the most well-dampening doors I've ever seen on any case for dealing with noisy optical drives. On the other hand, if you'll looking for truly optimal intake air flow, the Tsunami's front bezel and door are two layers of restrictiveness that air will have to deal with, and happen to be extremely difficult to open up wider or modify, unlike on its steel brother, the D8000.

4) Style--purely subjective, but I see that you probably have somewhat similar taste to myself, as I picked Tsunami primarily on merits of low weight and styling (this build didn't have to be nearly as quiet as my others). I can't think of any case that looks this good and has similar air flow, but if you're willing to give up some styling, as I said, you can definitely get better air flow.

5) Sonex foam: sorry, don't know much, if anything, about it. Bill Owen, proprietor of MNPCtech, happens to browse SPCR forums occasionally; send him an e-mail at his site and ask him if he offers any other acoustic barrier foam options.

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to fire away, but remember to use the Search function real quick and find my previous posts on the Tsunami Dream.

-Ed

Thanks for the info. I did read several of your posts, along with what others have said about the Tsunami Dream, but I was still wondering a bit about the case since there were a lot of different points made (good and bad). I did look at the D8000 and functionally it has what I'm looking for. But I don't like the way the front looks at all. I also worry about more noise by having the front airflow so unrestricted and "open" since I usually sit close to the PC when using it. I think Nexus has a great design idea with their Breeze case - use the 120mm and get the air from the floor of the case (with that added gap between the bottom of the case and the floor it will rest on so the fan can suck in the air). That way you won't hear the fan or air movement as much. But the Nexus Breeze has some internal flaws. I just wish there was more options in the way of 120mm fan cases that provide silent/quiet operation along with good looks/style.

When do you plan to make your case purchase?

I'm looking for a replacement case so I'm not in any rush, but it would be nice to get something within the next 6 or so weeks. The only problem is that the new case has to support at least 4 to 5 HD (the 3.5" type). The breeze doesn't fit that goal and I have concern about HD heat since there's no moving air over the HDs. I read posts here that state the Nexus Breeze will keep 1 HD rather cool when directly mounted. But I worry what will happen with 4 or 5 HD units.

You may have read Ralf Hutter's post about sonex
here

I caught that post while seriously considering the sonex product for my customer's cases. Being that sonex is manufacturered in my own state, I presented this issue to Joerg Hutmacher, illbruck's Business Unit Manager here in Mpls, MN.

His reply







For me, installing the fire retardent willtec foam instead of polyurethane was added bonus. I'm lucky to have such a great product made in my own back yard! I've installed sonex willtec in several modified cases for nearly a year w/o any customer complaints. You can find several of these customers in ars-technica's
case cooling and fetish forum

Pimprig will be posting a review of my modified Tsunami VA3000 w/ willtec foam very shortly.

Lucid did you get your RS450? If so how does it sound and how's the rails look?

Are you guys still going to review this power supply?

I purchased real power recently. It looks very nice with my chassis.

For some reason, I feel like linking this thread to this one.

-Ed