SPCR

wow amazing quality for the price. Clearly able for most systems out there.

Interesting. I've been pondering putting together a mini ITX build inside a Bitfenix Prodigy, and the 360W version looks like it'd fit the bill being only 140mm long. Shame it's not semi-modular though.

It's refreshing to see the PSU-race expand... err, backtrack, into the lower-power direction, and even moreso to see the higher-quality components and efficiency trickle down into lower-priced units.

Since this giveaway might be my best chance to catch Seasonic's ear, I was wondering where it is possible to get their PSUs in Canada other than newegg.ca? Some of the places I usually get gear from (directcanada.com, memory express, etc.) don't carry SS, which I always found annoying when buying parts for a whole system in one place and not being able to get your first choice PSU for lack of availability. Also, please continue to expand down to ~200W, and in smaller form factors at these efficiency levels! (Or release higher-rated bricks for mITX builds) Thanks!

@Backslash

Just booted up my new build using the G360. Unfortunately, it seems mine has an extremely loud coil whine that can be heard across the room.

In one of my builds, I installed a 380W Seasonic S12II-380GB whose coil whined so loudly that I swapped it out for another PSU.

I've read since then--more knowledgeable SPCR readers, please correct me--that a PSU may whine depending on the mainboard.

In the above build, I was using an Intel DH67BL, which is similar to your mainboard, Backslash, and I'm assuming that the S12II is also similar to the G360. That might explain the whine; but only if my assumptions are right, and I'm not sure they are.

Other explanations include the previously mentioned video card, or you had bad luck and got a faulty unit, or the G360 isn't what it's cracked up to be, at least for sensitive ears.

spcr tests, g360, pico+80w, pico+120w:
~31w input, 69.5%, 79.4%, 77.7%
~50w input, 81.8%, 83.6%, 85.6%

the pico isn't for everyone but it excels at what it is meant for.

porkchop wrote:spcr tests, g360, pico+80w, pico+120w:
~31w input, 69.5%, 79.4%, 77.7%
~50w input, 81.8%, 83.6%, 85.6%

the pico isn't for everyone but it excels at what it is meant for.

OK...

Though 69.5% vs 79.4% @ 31W AC input seems dramatic, the real DC outputs are ~22W vs ~25W, a meager 3W difference. At the 50W input, 81.8% vs 85.6% is 41W vs 43W DC out, a 2W difference.

Unless you have a system that never exceed ~50W DC load AND need the super small size & minimal output wiring of the picoPSU AND don't mind another brick hanging around (which I have developed a real distaste for), a PSU like the G360 has overwhelming advantages, while the primary disadvantage -- poorer efficiency at very low load -- is trivial in real watts or heat. In a truly sophisticated electrical performance comparison among the 3 PSUs you list above, covering voltage regulation, load regulation, transient response, performance under overload, extreme under/overvolt input, ripple & noise at max load, etc., I'd give you 3-to-1 odds that the G360 wins decisively. AND the price might actually be lower! iirc, an 80W pico + Level V efficiency 80W brick will run at least $60.

Having purchased and recommended so many Seasonic/Seasonic based PSUs over the last decade, I must say that they are always well built, highly efficient and long lasting. In fact, my S12 430W is still running strong, and have been transplanted to power multiple systems over the years.

This new G360W seems like a great deal incorporating Seasonic's new technologies and would be a great upgrade from my older, but also Seasonic based PSUs.

Here are my fingers crossed, hoping to win one....

Great review and great context. I've been interested in this PSU ever since it was previewed last year at a trade show.

I'm currently running my system on a 460W Seasonic Gold PSU and its great to fit right into the peak efficiency curve.

This will likely become my go-to PSU for future builds, just as Seasonics S12II series has been in the past.

i have absolutely no doubts that the g360 is a better and more versatile psu, all i ever said was that the pico is efficiency king <40-50w, which it is.

the points you listed are exactly what i like about it:
my pc idles at around 30w, peaks at 70w, most time is spent idling or video watching/internet browsing.
my pc is a motherboard mounted on a stand with an ssd laying under it, no case.
i use all the provided connectors, sometimes i need another hdd but a dock/usb adapter fixes that.
the brick is still 90% smaller than an atx psu.
i paid about 55aud for my combo, there are some good ebay deals located in the us.

my only real worry is 12v voltage regulation, where the absolute range for my particular brick is 11.68-12.1v. i don't like it but it's something i understand is part of the package, and it's still within atx spec.

the use of a pico is very specific, people who use them should know what they're in for, it simply suits my needs very well.

MikeC wrote: There's no way any picoPSU+brick can match the other electrical performance factors -- ripple & noise, voltage regulation (esp the 12V rail!!!), etc.

But does this really matter?

Nice ! (does this count as relevant yet ? )

Just wondering why manufacturers aren't going for smaller than ATX factors nowadays, especially with lower wattage PSUs like this one... The efficiency is good, so less heat needs to be pumped out, and most of the people who are going to buy (win ?) this kind of product will not run it at full blast (I'd guess 150W max... ?). So why not make it SFX, for example, and provide an ATX adaptor plate (maybe as an option) ? If I remember correctly, SFX specs allows for an 80mm fan, and that should be more than enough to dissipate the 22W of heat at 250W... I can see a lot of possibilities when you pair this with a m-ATX mobo, a low profile CPU cooler and a small case. The only full size component you'd have would be the GPU.

Small typo on page 4 : At full load, the fan managed to speed up just a wee bit more for a maximum of 29 dBA.
(should be 39dBA)

porkchop wrote:i have absolutely no doubts that the g360 is a better and more versatile psu, all i ever said was that the pico is efficiency king <40-50w, which it is.

the points you listed are exactly what i like about it...

my only real worry is 12v voltage regulation, where the absolute range for my particular brick is 11.68-12.1v. i don't like it but it's something i understand is part of the package, and it's still within atx spec.

the use of a pico is very specific, people who use them should know what they're in for, it simply suits my needs very well.

Right, I see we basically agree... I'd thought you were recommending the pico in any <50W application.

Olaf van der Spek wrote:

MikeC wrote: There's no way any picoPSU+brick can match the other electrical performance factors -- ripple & noise, voltage regulation (esp the 12V rail!!!), etc.

But does this really matter?

Certainly, if there are any issues with the quality of the AC line* or interference from other equipment or appliances running off the AC circuits, if any of the components in the system are less tolerant of variations in the 12VDC (and other) lines. Ditto when the PSU is pushed close to its limits (due to high system load in normal use) -- which a picoPSU+brick would face far more often because of its lower headroom. System and component stability & longevity are affected by PSU regulation/stability.

*This is very common in less developed countries and in large US cities as well. Some years ago, I recall a discussion with SPCR contributors in NYC and LA who were experiencing problems with their computer gear used for testing, etc... and much of their problems were traced back to poor quality AC lines, sags in the AC voltage, and in some case, overvoltage on the AC line.

New account here but I've been reading this site since Swiftech air coolers and then Zalman flower coolers were all the rage. I've also had my eye on the quality PSU market since the only top players were PC Power and Cooling, Antec, and Enermax (what happened to them!?). I'd like to think this site had a big influence on bringing more quiet, quality, and efficient components to the market.

Anyway I am in need of a quality power supply these days, just tested my 6+ year old Antec and its voltages are everywhere.

I love the Seasonic I used in my last build (X650 Gold) and am a loyal customer now. The G360W would be perfect for the new "green" build I am planning.

PC World recommended Seasonic in their newest issue, in an article about building a gaming rig. Nice to see them getting more press.

Sound like a nice Power supply for a low end server. Think I'll add it to my wish list, in case I don't win.

I love my X-400 fanless, this looks great too!

It's not available in Denmark yet. I really hope that it will be, though I would prefer to buy the 450W because it's modular.

I see that Seasonic is still the leader in power supplies. I wouldn't mind replacing my aging S12-380 either.

Got G360 few days ago and everything ran smooth & quiet.
Except, loud coil whine are pretty noticeable when the PC has turned off (still plugged on power outlet) ... It's not a big deal since I run my PC 24/7 at most, but if I could send this unit for RMA, it would be nice

Does anyone have same experience as me?

sorry to hear that. (no pun intended....)
no standby, running, or off whine here... and my house has horribly dirty power.


maybe a few slipped by quality control, which is not that hard to believe at that price point.

So, Seasonic has posted 450, 550, and 650W versions in the G-series:
http://www.seasonicusa.com/G-series-450-550-650.htm

Right now the 550 is $100 at newegg: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6817151119

Obviously no reviews, but anyone have a guess as to if performance is similar to the 360?

I'm trying to decide between the X-560 ($125) and the G550 ($100). Any input?

wowimsocute wrote: I'm trying to decide between the X-560 ($125) and the G550 ($100). Any input?

If you demand absolute silence, then you should pay the extra 25 USD for the silence at low loads. But if you're content with the noise level for the G550 then go for that. The warranty period is the same though I've heard somewhere that Seasonic has extended the warranty period so that it's now 7 years. But this was only a rumor, so I am not sure about this.

wowimsocute wrote:I'm trying to decide between the X-560 ($125) and the G550 ($100). Any input?

Let me muddy the waters a little more. Newegg is running a weekend special for the X-650 for $100 with code EMCYTZT2242. It's overkill for your needs and it'll use a little more power at idle than the g550 or the x-560. Then again, it's $100.

thanks kuzzia and casteve. i will pay for the silence. i will go with the X560 because for some reason the 650 has numerous DOA reviews.

unless someone has more insight. =)

wowimsocute wrote:thanks kuzzia and casteve. i will pay for the silence. i will go with the X560 because for some reason the 650 has numerous DOA reviews.

unless someone has more insight. =)

How about 56 reviewers for the 560 vs 391 for the 650? Just a numbers game...

MikeC wrote:

wowimsocute wrote:thanks kuzzia and casteve. i will pay for the silence. i will go with the X560 because for some reason the 650 has numerous DOA reviews.

unless someone has more insight. =)

How about 56 reviewers for the 560 vs 391 for the 650? Just a numbers game...

true, but the ratio of 5star to 1star is much better for the 560. also the DOAs for the 650 seem much more recent.

wowimsocute wrote:true, but the ratio of 5star to 1star is much better for the 560. also the DOAs for the 650 seem much more recent.

These numbers are from one specific retailer so it still could be that they've been unlucky enough to receive and resell a bad batch. I wouldn't see this as proof of anything but if the 560 is sufficient, then why not.

Looks like newegg is the best bet if you want to purchase this in Canada right now. Hoping somewhere local will start carrying this soon to save the ship cost (over 20% of the unit cost). Have a few builds I need to push out that would match this PSU perfectly.

I'm hoping Corsair does a rebadge of this PSU giving it higher availability.

RHN wrote:@Backslash

Just booted up my new build using the G360. Unfortunately, it seems mine has an extremely loud coil whine that can be heard across the room.

In one of my builds, I installed a 380W Seasonic S12II-380GB whose coil whined so loudly that I swapped it out for another PSU.

I've read since then--more knowledgeable SPCR readers, please correct me--that a PSU may whine depending on the mainboard.

In the above build, I was using an Intel DH67BL, which is similar to your mainboard, Backslash, and I'm assuming that the S12II is also similar to the G360. That might explain the whine; but only if my assumptions are right, and I'm not sure they are.

Other explanations include the previously mentioned video card, or you had bad luck and got a faulty unit, or the G360 isn't what it's cracked up to be, at least for sensitive ears.

Yes. I've had ran into similar situation ....... the same Seasonic S12-430 paired with different MBs (all remaining components were identical) generating loud coil whine noise or no coil noise regardless of load. I just swapped PSU and installed it in my dad's computer. Also, I'd similar experience with Display card. Just my two cents.

I love how not only is higher efficiency getting cheaper, but Seasonic is not forgetting about users who don't need hugely overpowered PSUs.

I've also noticed that they are making 80Plus Gold TFX PSUs. Hopefully they target SFX sized PSUs next for the "Gold" treatment, as well as higher wattage. Silverstone/FSP needs some competition there.