2nd PSU poll: please VOTE AGAIN!

PSUs: The source of DC power for all components in the PC & often a big noise source.

Moderators: NeilBlanchard, Ralf Hutter, sthayashi, Lawrence Lee, Devonavar

What PSU do you use?

Antec True Power
89
20%
Nexus
35
8%
Q-Technology
7
2%
Seasonic
82
18%
SilentMaxx
10
2%
SilenX
16
4%
Verax
1
0%
Zalman
40
9%
120mm Fortron
52
12%
Other, stock (please name)
71
16%
Other, modded (please describe)
44
10%
 
Total votes: 447

NeilBlanchard
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2nd PSU poll: please VOTE AGAIN!

Post by NeilBlanchard » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:26 am

Let's try this again! :?

As of midday (Pacific) on April 18, the original poll became corrupted. Attempts to fix the problem ended up with the vote option being disabled with no way to reset without hacking into the SQL database. Rather than waste the time, I've started a new thread that hopefully stays working.

You'll see I've moved the posts here (and modified this one for technical reasons... )

Sorry about that; please come back and recast your votes. And tell whether your PSU is quiet enough.

It remains an interesting survey.

MikeC
---------------------------------------

Hello Mike:

Well, I'm feeling left out -- the Fortron P300XFPN (with the 120mm Yate Loon fan) isn't on the list! By all accounts, it may be the 2nd or 3rd quietest PS out there; with only the SilenX 14dBA and 18dBA (possibly) models being quieter.

My Fortron is quieter than the NMB 18dBA (rated) fan, when each is actually being used in my system. And yes, it is certainly quiet enough for me! The best part is that it costs half as much (or even less) than any of the PS's on the list...

Edit: Thanks for adding it to the poll, Mike -- that was fast!
Last edited by NeilBlanchard on Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

Will35
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Post by Will35 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:37 am

Mike,

Having just replaced the 380 in my Sonata with a Sparkle/Fortron FSP350-60PN I can attest to the fact that the 120mm fanned Fortron is MUCH quieter than the single fan PSU that came with the Antec case.

Will

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Post by MikeC » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:40 am

So vote already!

dukla2000
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Post by dukla2000 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:49 am

Heavily modified Jou Jye 350 (http://www.joujye-computer.com/Product/atxswitch.htm

Fan and 'noise-killer' circuit board removed. Papst 8412NGL fitted to outside of rear end (the end the DC power cables exit) on rubber grommets, fan fixed at 7V. The only thing I can hear from this psu (if I put my ear close at the back) is a buzz from one of the damn chokes/coils, despite embedding it in epoxy and (when that didn't work) wrapping it in some thermal tape.

(The fan is optional - my case airflow is 'positive pressure' from a 120mm front lower intake that is sufficient to cool the psu without a fan as long as the case sides are closed. However this last condition doesn't always hold true!)

SpyderCat
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Post by SpyderCat » Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:57 am

Yes, for now the Nexus is quiet enough.
When it becomes the noisiest part in my PC I will deal with it.

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Post by Rusty075 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 11:15 am

I run a Seasonic SS-300FS-APFC, unmodded. At idle/standby it's quiet enough, but gets loud as the temps go up. But my Enermax modded with a 5v L1A is quieter at all levels. Maybe I'll cut the grill off the Seasonic and maybe swap the fan, see if that makes a difference.

DaShiv
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Post by DaShiv » Sat Apr 12, 2003 11:34 am

The Nexus I use was certainly quiet compared to my old Antec TruePower, but now I'm starting to hear it more and more and the SilenX 14dBA is starting to look tasty...

/me waits for the review. :)

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Post by rpc180 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 11:38 am

Modded Antec? Seems like it would hold a place in the listings to see who's modded PSUs :) Though, its the wrong site, its truly [H] to crack one open to mod it.

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Post by Rusty075 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 11:43 am

Yeah Mike, maybe add a listing on the poll for "modded"?

L4177312
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Post by L4177312 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 12:20 pm

verax is listed twice.

Chris Ochre
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Post by Chris Ochre » Sat Apr 12, 2003 2:19 pm

Stock Antec True Power as fitted to Sonata. It's much louder than my previous Q-Technology 300W, but I can't be bothered to swap at the moment.

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Post by powergyoza » Sat Apr 12, 2003 2:42 pm

Modded Antec SmartPower 400 watter as documented here:
http://forums.silentpcreview.com/viewtopic.php?t=2842

Summary:
- Externally powered, DIY thermally controlled Panaflo L1A. Usually runs around 5 volts.
- Panaflo externally mounted with foam isolators
- Underside vents closed off, front vents louvred, intake ducted to front of case.
- Rear grill removed.

EDIT: oops forgot to mention that it's quiet enough, but not efficient enough (PFC-wise)
Last edited by powergyoza on Sun Apr 13, 2003 2:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Riffer
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Post by Riffer » Sat Apr 12, 2003 2:57 pm

PC Power & Cooling Silencer 400
+ Panaflo FBL L1A.

Not quiet enough.

I am thinking of shaving a few volts off, but don't know if I want to risk the PSU overheating.

jojo4u
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Post by jojo4u » Sat Apr 12, 2003 3:59 pm

Enhance 300W with a single decoupled Papst 92mm NGL @ 5V.

Brumbar
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Post by Brumbar » Sat Apr 12, 2003 5:40 pm

I'm using the SilenX 400 watt PSU rated at 14dBA. It replaced my Vantec Stealth 520 watt.

The only thing I can hear in my system now is the fan on my ATI 9700pro. My case is on a desk two feet to the right of me at ear level.

Kawboy
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Post by Kawboy » Sat Apr 12, 2003 5:44 pm

I modded my Enermax 365 by removing the 92mm fan and leaving the external 80mm temp controlled fan alone and made it WORSE! Don't do this! :)

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Post by Gxcad » Sat Apr 12, 2003 6:41 pm

Enermax 430W 92mm fan removed 80mm fan swapped with SPCR reference fan and thermister moved from original location hotglued to hot coil so fan doesn't speed up. Inaudible at 2 meters at 3am in a quiet neighborhood. Inaudible is quiet enough for me:). Voltages could be a bit more stable IMHO, but decent wattage for the buck (~$80 for 430Watts). Some PSU's on the list will cost that for a 300W. The fan swap cost all of $3 (just the fan, duh!).

-Ken

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Post by rpc180 » Sat Apr 12, 2003 8:56 pm

Wow, I thought those new Fortrons 120s just came out. You guys got more cash than I do, mine's modded from four years ago!

Antec PP352x (pre-true power), modded with 2 80L1a's wired to a external switching fan bus of 6v/12v.

prontospyder
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Post by prontospyder » Sat Apr 12, 2003 9:10 pm

Running the Fortron P300XFPN power supply. Satisfied with it so far. :)

nicov
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Post by nicov » Sun Apr 13, 2003 1:19 am

Which power supply :D ?

Over the last few years, I've bought 6 power supplies that claimed to be silent.
The first three I bought (several years ago) were Enhance Electronics power supplies, and I think they're almost identical to the Q-Technologies power supplies. They were pretty silent, but for todays standards, they're not. All three of them died a year ago :( .
The next one I've got was a Q-Technologies power supply. I used it in a dual processor machine, and it's fan always quickly goes to the maximum, which doesn't make it silent anymore.
The next one was a modded 350W Enermax powersupply from noisecontrol.de. This is basically a Enermax with the quietest Papst fan. This one is REALLY quiet.
The last one was a 450W modded Enermax powersupply, also from noisecontrol.de. This one's slightly noisier than the 350W model, but still OK.
I'm now looking for a new powersupply for an HTPC, and currently am considering the following power supplies:
-Fanless SilentMaxx powersupply (expensive, but 0 dB)
http://silentmaxx.net/silent_products/p ... upply.html
-Nexus NX-3000
-the same modded 350W Enermax I already have.
Is there anybody having experience with the SilentMaxx fanless powersupply? I guess since it's fanless it is really 0 dB, but is it really a 350W power supply.

ez2remember
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Post by ez2remember » Sun Apr 13, 2003 5:12 am

Modded a Chieftec PSU with a 7v Panaflo 80mm L1A fan. Decoupled the fan and mounted outside of the PSU/Case. Found it little noisy when fan was inside the PSU. It has made quite a difference with the fan mounted outside, almost the same noise as if the fan was in free air at 7v. No stamped grills; This would probably make more noise if mounted outside.


When Idle, air is very cool, probably same as ambient. Under heavy load air is warm, not hot. Been running this setup for about 3 months without a glitch.

Waiting for a 14dBA SilenX PSU review, before purchasing one of these silence kings. Anyone know how it compares to a Panaflo L1A @5v or 7v in free air?

This will give me a rough indication of knowing how quiet this PSU is. Thanx all.

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Post by larrymoencurly » Mon Apr 14, 2003 12:43 am

I object to the fact that no garbage' PSUs were included, like mine. :(

300W MaxPower, modded with addition of fan controller (simple linear type), diode pack for the +5V (circuit board made for it), and EMI filter (AM radio reception restored).

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Post by dukla2000 » Mon Apr 14, 2003 2:24 am

larrymoencurly wrote:I object to the fact that no garbage' PSUs were included, like mine. :(

300W MaxPower, modded with addition of fan controller (simple linear type), diode pack for the +5V (circuit board made for it), and EMI filter (AM radio reception restored).
That counts as 'Modded' - go vote!

I guess like all 'statistics' it is possible to put a spin on the results to reinforce your own prejudices. The results (so far) have a strong showing for 'Modded'. To me it seems there are 2 kinds of us 'silence freaks' - those who need a warranty (because they are reselling or whatever) and who are looking for the Holy Grail from Verax, Silenx, Fortron 120mm etc. The others are happy to ditch their warranty and mod like crazy to shave each dB off.

I am in the second group, and suspect for us the 'best' PSU is in fact a cheapo, 'garbage' one that has at least enough quality for stable rails at up to say 300W, for Athlon CPUs has 200W stable on 3.3V & 5V rails combined, is electrically silent (no buzzing/humming) and is a suitable platform for our particular prejudiced mods?

I certainly feel my NEXT psu is far more likely to be a £20 special rather than a £50 Antec or Verax.

Mark Larson
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Post by Mark Larson » Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:29 am

I have a Lite-on 300W PSU, and although it is very powerful, the fan is louder than my old Antec SL300. :(

I'm gonna do an L1A mod when i get my watercooling final.

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Post by Katana Man » Mon Apr 14, 2003 10:52 am

As most of you know, I'm using the new Fortron 350W 120mm fan PSUs. I'm very satisfied with them. I have no idea on how it could be improved unless it was fanless.

Zhentar
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Post by Zhentar » Mon Apr 14, 2003 3:20 pm

I use the 120mm Fortron too. Quieter than my modded power supply, and more importantly, its well... still alive :) . The only problem I see with it is the vent slots on the backside too- can't be too good for air flow. But I've no doubt removing that would raise the price, so I'll stick with my good friend "Duct Tape" and the Fortron :)

WATYF1
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Post by WATYF1 » Mon Apr 14, 2003 6:28 pm

I use the SilenX 350W. It's dead quiet. I'm quite pleased with it.


Now,.. my Hard Drive... well.. that's another story. :(


:p


WATYF

NeilBlanchard
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Post by NeilBlanchard » Tue Apr 15, 2003 2:21 am

Hello:
Zhentar wrote:The only problem I see with it is the vent slots on the backside too- can't be too good for air flow. But I've no doubt removing that would raise the price, so I'll stick with my good friend "Duct Tape" and the Fortron :)
Now you've confused me -- what "vent slots on the backside" are you refering to?

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Post by MikeC » Tue Apr 15, 2003 7:35 am

NeilBlanchard wrote:Hello:
Zhentar wrote:The only problem I see with it is the vent slots on the backside too- can't be too good for air flow. But I've no doubt removing that would raise the price, so I'll stick with my good friend "Duct Tape" and the Fortron :)
Now you've confused me -- what "vent slots on the backside" are you refering to?
Methinks tt's Zhentar who is confused. There are virtually no holes on the inside panel of the PSU (the side that usually has slot venting) and there shouldn't be any. If there were, the heated air sucked up by the fan would blow out that side, back into the case, which is bad.

Zhentar
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Post by Zhentar » Tue Apr 15, 2003 1:07 pm

this is really hard to say, but I think I can manage it... I... was.... wrong. I guess I got the backsides of my spare PSU and the fortron mixed up, though I have no idea how. I still have 1 complaint with the fortron though, the fan grill is almost touching my HSF, but thats just cuz I've got a small mid-tower case.

There still is a good deal of small holes though.

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