SilverStone Strider Platinum ST85F-PT PSU Review

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Transient Response Tests

Advanced Transient Response Tests

For details on our transient response testing, please click here.

Ιn these tests, we monitor the ST85F-PT's response in two different scenarios. First, a transient load (10 A at +12V, 5 A at 5V, 5 A at 3.3V and 0.5 A at 5VSB) is applied for 200 ms while the PSU works at 20 percent load. In the second scenario, the PSU is hit by the same transient load while operating at 50 percent load. In both tests, we use our oscilloscope to measure the voltage drops caused by the transient load. The voltages should remain within the ATX specification's regulation limits.

These tests are crucial because they simulate the transient loads a PSU is likely to handle (such as booting a RAID array or an instant 100 percent load of CPU/GPUs). We call these tests "Advanced Transient Response Tests," and they are designed to be very tough to master, especially for a PSU with a capacity of less than 500 W.  

Advanced Transient Response at 20 Percent

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.236V12.115V0.99%Pass
5V5.082V4.989V1.83%Pass
3.3V3.351V3.210V4.21%Pass
5VSB5.057V5.004V1.05%Pass

Advanced Transient Response at 50 Percent

Swipe to scroll horizontally
VoltageBeforeAfterChangePass/Fail
12V12.183V12.062V0.99%Pass
5V5.053V4.952V2.00%Pass
3.3V3.323V3.190V4.00%Pass
5VSB5.018V4.974V0.88%Pass

The +12V rail stays within 1 percent in both tests. This is a decent result, though we'd be more satisfied by deviations closer to 0.6 percent.

The 5V and the 5VSB rails demonstrate low voltage drops, while the 3.3V rail doesn't do as well (it's in the 4 percent region). This specific rail usually registers the worst performance in our tests, mostly because of its low initial voltage. Even a moderate drop imposes significant deviations. Just to illustrate, a 0.1 V voltage drop translates to 0.83 percent at +12V, 2 percent at 5V, and 3 percent at 3.3V.

Here are the oscilloscope screenshots we took during Advanced Transient Response Testing:

Transient Response At 20 Percent Load

Transient Response At 50 Percent Load

Turn-On Transient Tests

In the next set of tests, we measure the response of the PSU in simpler transient load scenarios—during the PSU's power-on phase.

For the first measurement, we turn off the ST85F-PT, dial in the maximum current the 5VSB can output, and switch the PSU on. In the second test, we dial the +12V rail's maximum load and start the PSU while it's in standby mode. In the last test, while the PSU is completely switched off (we cut off the power or switch the PSU off by flipping its switch), we dial the maximum load the +12V rail can handle before switching the ST85F-PT on from the loader and restoring power. The ATX specification states that recorded spikes on all rails should not exceed 10 percent of their nominal values (+10 percent for 12 V is 13.2 V, and 5.5 V for 5 V).    

The 5VSB slope is perfect. The +12V slope isn't as pretty, but it doesn't exhibit any spikes or voltage overshoots either.

Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.

  • panathas
    I don't understand, first you said: "On the other hand, it doesn't have an issue with inaccurate power-good signals that last longer than the corresponding hold-up time" and your last words were: "It is a great shame though that it is affected by the inaccurate power good signal disease". Which one is true? Also in the CONS section you only mentioned the Hold-up time and not the power good signal.
    Reply
  • turkey3_scratch
    18699506 said:
    I don't understand, first you said: "On the other hand, it doesn't have an issue with inaccurate power-good signals that last longer than the corresponding hold-up time" and your last words were: "It is a great shame though that it is affected by the inaccurate power good signal disease". Which one is true? Also in the CONS section you only mentioned the Hold-up time and not the power good signal.

    First one must have been an mistake since it does drop the PWR_OK after the voltages are already out of spec.
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    Yes something was way out in this phrase. It is fixed now.

    This PSU is affected by a fake power good signal, which usually is the case in Sirfa's platform.

    In the cons section. Sometimes I don't mention the fake power good signal, when the hold-up time is already too low. But I will make sure that I do from now on.
    Reply
  • Virtual_Singularity
    ty for the review. So, I know it's kind of not really adequate for comparison considering the watt difference. But, looking at the performance of that last Lian Li sfx reviewed, and this thing, still must say that LL didn't do so badly, though they could really help things if they extended that warranty by at least a year or more.
    Reply
  • DotNetMaster777
    SilverStone looks nice taking into account that this is compact dimensions ?!
    Reply
  • Co BIY
    I think the exterior photos need something for scale. Full-size black boxes and tiny high efficiency black boxes look the same size on a screen without something for scale.

    No comment on vacant modular socket plugs. First time I've seen that. Also the copper bars aren't a feature I've seen commented on before.
    Reply