SilverStone released a powerful new SFX-L unit that boasts 700W capacity, Platinum-rated efficiency, fully modular cabling, and a single +12V rail. The SX700-LPT is based on a Sirfa platform and promises quiet operation thanks to its 120mm fan.
For the standards of the SFX-L category, where the competition isn't hard (for the moment at least), the SX700-LPT has decent performance. However Lian Li's PE-750 unit offers significantly higher performance and 50 W more capacity, with one year lower warranty though.
Pros
+
Full power at 46 °C
+
Efficient
+
Silent
+
Ripple at 5V and 5VSB
+
Compact dimensions
+
Quality filtering caps
+
Fully modular
+
4x PCIe connectors
+
Number of SATA connectors
Cons
-
OPP failed to protect the PSU
-
No inrush current protection
-
Hold-up time
-
Inaccurate Power Ok signal
-
85 °C bulk cap
-
Sleeve bearing fan
-
Single EPS connector
-
Warranty
-
Very short 24-pin ATX cable
-
SFX to ATX adapter isn't included
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
SilverStone SX700-LPT Power Supply Review
[Update, 4/17/2018: SilverStone informed us that all new SX700-LPT units are equipped with an FDB fan]
SilverStone has a rich portfolio of SFX-based products that also includes a couple of slightly larger SFX-L units, which are 30 mm deeper. Their major advantage is enough room to accommodate 120mm fans, whereas the standard SFX form factor only has room for 92mm coolers. Of course, the larger the fan the lower the noise; bigger blades can spin more slowly to achieve the same amount of airflow. Moreover, the PCBs inside of SFX-L power supplies usually aren't as cramped, facilitating proper cooling of sensitive components like electrolytic capacitors. It's also easier to achieve higher capacities.
Up until recently, SilverStone only had one SFX-L-based model, the SX500-LG. That changed with the release of its SX700-LPT, though. Aside from higher capacity, the new addition also enables 80 PLUS Platinum-class efficiency.
Like most of SilverStone's SFX PSUs, the SX700-LPT features fully modular cabling, which should make installation a breeze. All filtering caps are provided by a Japanese manufacturer, so besides good performance they also offer increased reliability. A semi-passive feature should keep noise output low under light and moderate loads, too. This mode isn't strictly temperature dependent; it also takes into account how much work the power supply is doing. In our case, we didn't observe any issues. However, combining temperature and load data in order to enable/disable semi-passive operation at the perfect time is challenging. It'd also be nice to have an option for standard fan operation, or at least a way to verify that the fan is working properly. In other semi-passive PSUs that lack a normal fan mode, the fan spins up briefly during start-up. We'd like to see SilverStone implement something similar.
Specifications
SilverStone SX700-LPT
At least on paper, the SX700-LPT features a full set of protection capabilities, including over-temperature protection. According to SilverStone, its SX700-LPT can deliver full power for prolonged periods under 40 °C ambient. That looks low considering the ATX spec recommends at least 50 °C. Nonetheless, we will conduct our full load tests in >45 °C as usual, checking to see how well this PSU handles higher temps. Given that OTP is present, heat shouldn't pose an issue.
SilverStone uses a low-speed 120mm fan for cooling. Unfortunately, it sports a sleeve bearing, which doesn't offer the same long lifetime as double ball-bearings or a FDB-based fan. That probably goes a long way in explaining the three-year warranty (though this matches SilverStone's coverage across the SFX portfolio). Only the company's Strider Platinum and Titanium models are covered for five years, along with the ZM1350. We'd like to see SilverStone upgrade its warranty coverage since EVGA, Corsair, and Thermaltake offer up to 10-year protection on their highest-end models.
Power Specifications
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Rail
3.3V
5V
12V
5VSB
-12V
Max. Power
Amps
22
22
58.33
3
0.3
Watts
120
700
15
3.6
Total Max. Power (W)
700
The single +12V rail is powerful at 58A, especially considering it's in an SFX-L form factor. This means that two high-end graphics cards could be supported easily. In addition, the minor rails offer a 120W maximum combined power, while the 5VSB rail is a little stronger than expected. With longer cables, the SX700-LPT could be installed in a full-tower chassis and drive a capable gaming machine. As we're about to see, though, the provided cables are very short.
Stay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Cables And Connectors
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Modular Cables
Description
Cable Count
Connector Count (Total)
Gauge
ATX connector 20+4 pin (300mm)
1
1
18AWG
4+4 pin EPS12V (400mm)
1
1
18AWG
6+2 pin PCIe (550mm+150mm)
1
2
18AWG
6+2 pin PCIe (400mm+150mm)
1
2
18AWG
SATA (300mm+200mm+100mm)
2
6
18AWG
SATA (610mm+150mm+150mm)
1
3
18AWG
Four-pin Molex (300mm+200mm+100mm)
1
3
18AWG
FDD Adapter (+100mm)
1
1
22AWG
The SX700-LPT has an adequate number of connectors for its capacity. However, the 24-pin ATX cable is too short, so you're only able to install this PSU in small enclosures. The EPS cable is short as well, though not as short as the main ATX cable. It'd be interesting if there were two versions of the SX700-LPT, one with these short cables, and another sporting longer cables and an SFX-to-ATX adapter. That'd let you pick the model best suited to your case.
The distance between connectors is ample, and the provided Berg connector thankfully comes in adapter form (instead of being fixed onto one of the peripheral cables). Finally, all connectors except the FDD one use 18-gauge wires.
Power Distribution
Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to say about its power distribution.
Purely disappointing!!.
A permanent flaw (false power-good signal), combined with a periodical flaw (far out of specs ripple if this unit gets overloaded), are more than enough evidence in order for me to conclude that this PSU is a potential danger for the rest of the hardware!!.
Once more, thanks for the great review Aris!
I looked at the internals first, and from that assumed this thing would be an utter mess. Surprisingly it's only a mess... If it was rated as a 550W unit I would have just said the holdup time was disappointing, but as a 700W rated unit this thing goes in the junk list.
And seriously, what were they thinking with that layout? One short and the thing will definitely fry and take down your circuit breaker with it. Considering the number of missed surface mount solder points, shorts are going to be likely.
