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Pros, Cons And Final Verdict
SilverStone's top priority in the PSU space is offering the highest possible power density in any form factor. The company believes there's a future in tiny systems built into equally compact enclosures. Hence the PSU has to shrink as well.
This might lead to lower performance in many cases, since a small PSU doesn't allow for adequate air flow, and it is widely known that higher temperatures can easily alter a PSU's performance. In this case, we noticed some ripple spikes under full load at operating temperatures between 42 and 43 °C, which could seriously affect stability and performance. These spikes can also shorten the lifetime of many system components, which is why SilverStone states the maximum temperature for peak power delivery is only 40 °C, while the ATX spec recommends 50 °C.
Load regulation was average at +12V and loose on the minor rails. When it comes to efficiency, the PSU performed decently. However, we expected even more from a modern platform with an LLC resonant converter. Obviously, small dimensions set the bar lower in this metric as well. There was still a discipline where the ST75F-GS V2 excelled, though: we measured a very long hold-up time, setting a record in the process. But even that result has a downside, translating into high inrush currents, which can cause problems to circuit breakers and UPS devices.
If you need a really short 750W PSU, your choices are limited. SilverStone's ST75F-GS V2 is one of the few PSUs in this category with such a shallow depth. Its fully modular design and high-quality cables will prove a boon during installation. If you don't like noisy components, this PSU won't let you down under normal operating conditions, either.
Skipping to its major downsides, we'll break them down into a relatively high price (in a similar league as Corsair's RM750x), the sleeve-bearing fan and, most glaringly, a short warranty. SilverStone should meet the competition's coverage and provide at least five years in a product with this price tag. Apparently, though, the lack of alternatives doesn't worry the company enough to increase the warranty.
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Aris Mpitziopoulos is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Power Supplies.
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