SilverStone SX600-G SFX Power Supply Review

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Ripple Measurements

Ripple Measurements

The following table includes the ripple levels we measured on the SX600-G. The limits are, according to the ATX specification, 120 mV (+12V) and 50 mV (5V, 3.3V and 5VSB).

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Ripple MeasurementsSilverStone SX600-G
Test12V (mV)5V (mV)3.3V (mV)5VSB (mV)Pass/Fail
10% Load42.511.216.07.2Pass
20% Load32.712.317.68.4Pass
30% Load33.213.218.78.8Pass
40% Load38.314.121.39.5Pass
50% Load38.915.221.610.8Pass
60% Load43.317.324.112.3Pass
70% Load50.717.823.915.9Pass
80% Load54.620.028.019.1Pass
90% Load61.622.930.919.8Pass
100% Load75.152.084.932.3Fail
105% Load71.578.5121.335.1Fail
Crossload 137.713.417.110.2Pass
Crossload 268.365.591.328.0Fail

A quick look at the table above suggests the situation is pretty bad. But before you reach a hasty conclusion, let us explain how things really are. First, we followed our normal testing procedure that dictates full load and overload testing at around 45 °C ambient, while SilverStone clearly states that it guarantees good operation under full load at up to 40 °C. We're just following the methodology we use for every sample we receive. In addition, without our sophisticated monitoring and logging software, it would be difficult to catch the spikes that make the PSU fail in the tests shown above. The main issue responsible for these spikes, we believe, is the secondary side's restricted airflow, more specifically in the DC-DC converters area. Fortunately, the ripple problems occur at more than 40 °C ambient. And we're talking about random spikes, not continuous out-of-control ripple suppression. Be that as it may, we have to deduct points in the name of fairness to the other PSUs in our relative performance graph on the next page.

Again, under a 40 °C ambient, ripple suppression is in line with the ATX specification's requirements. Under the extreme conditions we use for testing power supplies is where you'll run into issues. This perfectly illustrates why it's important to test PSUs at high temperatures. An SFX PSU is destined to spend most of its life inside a tiny case with not-so-optimal airflow, so high-ambient testing is necessary.

Ripple - Oscilloscope Screenshots

You can see the AC ripple and noise on the main rails (+12V, 5V, 3.3V and 5VSB) in the following oscilloscope screenshots. The bigger the fluctuations on the instrument's screen, the bigger the ripple/noise. We set 0.01V/Div (each vertical division/box equals 0.01V) as the standard for all measurements.

Ripple At Full Load

Ripple At 110% Load

Ripple At Crossload 1

Ripple At Crossload 2

Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

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

  • Dark Lord of Tech
    Price is a little high.
    Reply
  • Onus
    The price is a little high.
    I'm not sure I agree with such high ratings of some of the Corsair units, with as many failures as they apparently experience within the first year. It also doesn't bode well for the poor capacitors in this Silverstone either. So far though, at this level, there is no other choice.
    Reply
  • damric
    The review was perfect this time, Aris. My only nitpick is the graphs are hard to read.

    Well done.

    As far as the PSU itself, I was turned off by the 40C max operating temp fan kicks up at 45... bah... If they would have used better caps then temp could easily been rated for 50C.
    Reply
  • David Dewis
    I wanna use this to run a GTX 980 in the Silverstone RVZ02 with a i5-4670 (non K) That is all.
    Reply
  • g-unit1111
    Nice to see that manufacturers are starting to take small form factor builds seriously. I especially like the direction that Silverstone is going in. First the RVZ02B now high quality SFF power supplies. Wave of the future?
    Reply
  • DarkSable
    This is a wonderful power supply, if you aren't pushing it altogether too hard.

    @David Dewis, go look at the Sandia Cooler. When you're done lusting after that, look at the Id-cooling Is-vc45 Vapor Chamber CPU Cooler... which you can buy right now and use to overclock an i5 in the new Raven just fine. I've got my media PC in an RVZ01 with a Pentium anniversary edition overclocked to heck, and it does just fine. (I can't wait for the RVZ02 to put my gaming rig in and run watercooling out the back.)
    Reply
  • DarkSable
    That being said. Tom's. What are you doing.

    Silverstone just released the SX500-LG, which is a very slightly longer (130mm) SFX-profile power supply that fits a 120mm fan on top, instead of a dinky, noisy 80mm fan. That's the power supply that I want to see a review of!
    Reply
  • g-unit1111
    15283400 said:
    (I can't wait for the RVZ02 to put my gaming rig in and run watercooling out the back.)

    I very badly want a RVZ02, it will make a nice home for my old i5-3570K. :lol:
    Reply
  • Grognak
    52dB and more than 25 idle... "Tiny box that makes a lot of noise" isn't my definition of SFF.
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    I will ask for the SX-500LG, however I have many samples to process till its turn comes to hit the test bench. Unfortunately a full PSU review needs lots of time and I won't do rushed reviews.
    Reply