Early Verdict
If you need the smallest fully modular 750W PSU money can buy today then the ST75F-GS V2 is one of the very few choices you have. If you keep its operating temperature below 40°C, as SilverStone dictates, then you won't fall into high ripple problems.
Pros
- +
Full power at 46 °C • Ripple suppression at +12V • Silent operation at normal ambient • Compact dimensions • Quality caps • Fully modular • Good quality modular cables
Cons
- -
Load regulation • Hold-up time • Inaccurate PG signal • Ripple suppression on the minor rails at high ambient • Warranty • Single EPS connector • Sleeve bearing fan
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SilverStone ST75F-GS V2 Power Supply Review
SilverStone has a rich portfolio of PSUs, and many of them feature compact dimensions. It is pretty obvious that this company is after high power density scores in every power supply it releases, and the second version of the ST75F-GS boasts 415W per liter in that metric. At only 14cm deep, this is hands-down one of (if not the) smallest fully-modular 750W PSUs available. It'll let you install lots of enthusiast-oriented hardware in compact enclosures that simply can't accommodate physically large power supplies. The Strider Gold S line consists of five members with capacities ranging from 550W to 1.5kW. The strongest member of this line, the ST1500-GS we already evaluated, achieves an impressive 646W per liter thanks to its 18cm depth.
A quick look at the specifications turns up just one downside: the low temperature at which these PSUs can output their full power continuously. The compact dimensions of these units don't allow for optimal airflow inside. Hence, SilverStone had to lower its temperature rating. The ATX spec recommends 50 °C for continuous max power output, a temperature level that admittedly is quite high even for cases with substandard internal airflow. Meanwhile, we conduct our tests somewhere between 45 °C and 50 °C in order to stress the PSUs without damaging them.
The fact is that higher operating temperatures stress the PSU more, especially under full load. A power supply's worst enemy is high operating temperatures, which seriously affect not only performance, but also the useful life of crucial components. In our PSU 101 article, we mention that a 10 °C difference in operating temperature can double or halve the estimated lifetime of an electrolytic capacitor.
Specifications
This version of the power supply is just as efficient as the first incarnation; it's 80 PLUS Gold-compliant. In addition, it features fully modular cabling, and the maximum operating temperature at which it can deliver its full power continuously is limited to 40 °C. The list of protection features includes everything except OCP, which has no meaning in a single-rail PSU with moderate or high capacity. In these units, Over-Power Protection (OPP) saves the day when something goes wrong.
Unfortunately, SilverStone went cheap with its cooling fan selection. The company used a plain sleeve bearing fan instead of one with ball bearings or a FDB, which would have been more durable. The only advantage of this fan seems to be its low speed, minimizing noise. In addition, there is no semi-passive mode. In our opinion, though, it's preferable to use a fan with a low start-up voltage spinning at low speeds under light loads, rather than implementing semi-passive operation. Finally, the dimensions of this unit are very compact. The depth is down one centimeter compared to the first version of the ST75F-GS. Meanwhile, you get a fairly meager warranty, given this unit's high price tag.
Power Specifications
| Rail | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | -12V | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max. Power | Amps | 22 | 22 | 62.5 | 3 | 0.3 |
| Watts | 120 | 750 | 15 | 3.6 | ||
| Total Max. Power (W) | 750 |
The single +12V rail can deliver the full power of the unit on its own, something usual for PSUs that utilize DC-DC converters for generating the minor rails. Speaking of those, they're plenty strong with 120W max combined power, while the 5VSB rail is a little beefier than the minimum we expect from most branded PSUs.
Cables And Connectors
| Modular Cables | ||
|---|---|---|
| Description | Cable Count | Connector Count (Total) |
| ATX connector 20+4 pin (550mm) | 1 | 1 |
| 4+4 pin EPS12V (760mm) | 1 | 1 |
| 6+2 pin PCIe (560mm+150mm) | 2 | 4 |
| SATA (610mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) | 2 | 8 |
| Four-pin Molex (600mm+150mm+150mm) / FDD Adapter (+150mm) | 2 | 6 / 2 |
There is just one EPS cable, unfortunately, and we count that as a major con on a modern 750W PSU. Conversely, the number of PCIe connectors you get is adequate; the same goes for the peripheral connectors. Surely there are some similar-capacity PSUs with more; however, given that this PSU will most likely be installed in a small chassis, the number of included SATA and peripheral connectors should suffice.
All cables are long enough, too. The EPS lead is a lengthy 76cm. In a small chassis, you will probably have a difficult time hiding that much cabling. This has to be the only time we've ever suggested a shorter EPS cable. Finally, the EPS and PCIe connectors use 16-gauge wires for lower voltage drops, while the rest are 18-gauge.
Power Distribution
Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to say about its power distribution.
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