Original Link: https://www.anandtech.com/show/4441/pc-power-cooling-silencer-760w-910w



PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760W & 910W

PC Power & Cooling, a part of the OCZ Technology Group, sent us two PSUs from their Silencer series. The 760W as well as the 910W version bet on strong 80mm fans which is unusual for modern products. Most Companies are interested in using larger fans since they can reach higher CFM per RPM. They try to reduce noise while increasing fan efficiency. But is that right?

First a larger fan can reach more components but therefore the airflow has an angle. From the fan to the PCB and from the PCB to the ventilation holes all PSUs with a vertical cooling have an angle of 90 degrees. Second a large fan is able to provide good cooling at his edges while the center gets problems. That's one reason why manufacturers make a lot of temperature tests for the transformer in the middle of a PSU. So finally the airflow is more direct with an 80mm fan but they can't cool the hole space on a large PCB. Sounds like a draw. In our opinion both solution have a right to exist. A lot depends on the internal design (heatsinks, arrangement of the components) and the position in your computer case.

It is no secret that Seasonic builds some of the Silencer products for PC Power & Cooling. We expect to see two robust PSUs with low ripple & noise results and a high efficiency. Since these Silencer are based on the S12D design (with an 80mm fan modification) both have an 80Plus Silver certification. With an SLI-Ready award and 7 years warranty OCZ wants to catch some enthusiasts. We will see if they can uphold one's reputation as a leading Company for professional products.

 



Scope of Delivery and Power Rating

A power cord for the American power grid, a user manual, some screws and a small sticker are within the scope of supply if you buy on of these products. If you live in Europe you'll get another mains cable of course. Those blue caps on the HDD connectors show the telephone number of the PC Power & Cooling support hot-line.

The 760W as well as the 960W version have a +12V single rail with a 62A rating for the smaller one and 74A for the larger model. Both deliver up to 150W on +3.3V and +5V with the same maximum current. Same for +5VSB. Note the input current difference.



Appearance, Cables and Connectors

760W

910W

There is no real difference between the cases except those power markings on the sides. Both have a small power switch under the input female plug and a usual black fan grille for the frontal 80mm fan. The housing is 18cm long, quite much for a PSU without a modular cable panel. The surface is very scratch-resistant.

760W

910W

Cables and Connectors (760W)

Fixed

Main 24-pin 50cm
ATX12V/EPS12V 8-pin 60cm, 4+4-pin 60cm
PCIe 2x 6-pin 60cm, 2x 6/8-pin 60cm
Peripheral 4x SATA 60-105cm / 4x SATA 45-90cm
4x Molex, 60-105cm / 3x Molex + 1x FDD 45-90cm

 

Cables and Connectors (960W)

Fixed

Main 24-pin 50cm
ATX12V/EPS12V 8-pin 60cm, 4+4-pin 60cm
PCIe 2x 6-pin 60cm, 2x 6/8-pin 60cm
Peripheral 4x SATA 60-105cm / 4x SATA 45-90cm / 4x SATA 35-80cm
4x Molex, 60-105cm / 3x Molex + 1x FDD 45-90cm

Both PSUs have nearly the same cable configuration and a high wire cross-section for the PCIe cable.  Moreover both are using a cheap black cable sleeving and the same length for all cables. The only advantage of the 910W model is the number of peripheral connectors. It has one cable more than the other version, equipped with four additional SATA plugs. Our only real point of criticism is that the 910W PSU could have more GPU connectors. Some ~1000W models have six PCIe plugs.



The Interior

760W

910W

Both PSUs are cooled by a AD0812UB-A71GL from ADDA, a very common brand for Seasonic-made products. The 910W model has larger main caps but overall it is the same layout as you can see on the pictures. Since the original S12D was a 750-850W design we assume our 760W sample will show a better performance later. This Interior is a great base for a PC Power & Cooling PSU since Seasonic offers a high-quality PCB, Japanese capacitors (Nippon Chemicon and Rubycon) and two very large heatsinks. The EMI filtering is well equipped and includes a MOV. The DC-to-DC VRM are realized on one PCB and use all solid capacitors from Nippon Chemicon.

There is not much space for cooling. Specially in the primary circuit where many chokes are glued together. The main transistors are two IPI60R125CP with a moderate drain-source resistance of 125mΩ. For rectifying on the secondary circuit Seasonic has implemented eight 40S45CT -- more than enough to provide 760 or 910W. In fact the conducting path behind are often weaker than the transistors and/or diodes for rectifying. Nice too see that this design has a 70 μm copper layer. The smaller version has a 12V coil with a HF litz wire.

 



Voltage Regulation

+3.3V Regulation
Load Voltage (760W / 910W)
10% +2.00% / +1.83%
20% +1.95% / +1.52%
50% +1.47% / +0.30%
80% +1.02% / -0.61%
100% +0,79% / -1.52%
110% +0.53% / -1.83%

 

+5V Regulation
Load Voltage (760W / 910W)
10% +1.34% / +0.20%
20% +1.26% / +-0.00%
50% +0.26% / -0.40%
80% -0.02% / -1.60%
100% -0.40% / -2.60%
110% -0.73% / -2.80%

 

+12V Regulation (Worst Rail)
Load Voltage (760W / 910W)
10% +2.70% / +2.33%
20% +2.51% / +2.08%
50% +1.18% / +1.00%
80% +0.67% / +0.63%
100% +0.55% / -0.25%
110% +0.23% / -0.42%

Here we can see that the 760W version is slightly better than its big brother. Well, the voltages start very high but therefore our 760W sample has hardly any voltage drop. -2.80% is the worst result we can see for the 910W PSU -- still a decent result. Everything works within the ATX specification which is nice to see.

Ripple and Noise

+3.3V Ripple Quality
Load Ripple and Noise (760W / 910W)
10% 5mV / 6mV
20% 6mV / 8mV
50% 9mV / 10mV
80% 10mV /13mV
100% 11mV / 15mV
110% 13mV / 17mV

 

+5V Ripple Quality
Load Ripple and Noise 760W / 910W
10% 9mV / 10mV
20% 12mV / 13mV
50% 18mV / 21mV
80% 22mV / 24mV
100% 24mV / 25mV
110% 25mV / 27mV

 

+12V Ripple Quality (Worst Rail)
Load Ripple and Noise 760W / 910W
10% 10mV / 19mV
20% 21mV / 23mV
50% 22mV / 26mV
80% 24mV / 28mV
100% 27mV / 32mV
110% 28mV / 34mV

In our summary we wrote that a typical PC Power & Cooling product should have low ripple & noise results. Here you are! Specially +3.3V and +12V perform very well with up to 0.29% and/or 0.34% ripple & noise (910W). The 760W model shows even better results here. On +5V we can indicate passable measurements (0.54%)



Noise Levels

Sound Pressure Level (Ambient: 16dBA, 1m distance)
Load dB(A) (760W and 910W)
10% 18 / 19
20% 19 / 20
50% 19 / 20
80% 25 / 27
100% 34 / 36
110% 36 / 38

These Silencer models have nearly the same type of fan speed regulation and an identical fan which means they show almost the same sound pressure level (or similar results with measuring tolerances). From 10 to 50% load the fan spins slow which is why the PSU is quiet overall. Starting from 80% the noise gets a little inconvenient. 110% finally is unbearable for sensitive ears. Only in comparison with the Turbo-Cool series we would say it is silent. According to the fan speed of other modern PSUs (Seasonic X-Series, Enermax Modu87+) both Silencer PSUs are too loud.

Efficiency and PFC

115VAC, 60Hz
Load        Efficiency (760W / 910W) PFC (760W / 910W)
10% 82% / 79% 0.910 / 0.899
20% 86% / 86% 0.935 / 0.928
50% 89% / 88% 0.967 / 0.965
80% 87% / 87% 0.982 / 0.973
100% 86% / 86% 0.987 / 0.979
110% 85% / 84% 0.988 / 0.984

 

230VAC, 50Hz
Load        Efficiency (760W / 910W) PFC (760W / 910W)
10% 83% / 81% 0.870 / 0.862
20% 87% / 86% 0.922 / 0.914
50% 90% / 89% 0.961 / 0.954
80% 88% / 88% 0.961 / 0.965
100% 87% / 86% 0.974 / 0.971
110% 86% / 85% 0.977 / 0.974

Here we can see some impressive results for 80Plus Silver products, specially the 760W model performs very well with up to 90% efficiency satisfying. The 910W version could be more efficient during 10% load. Nevertheless both samples are able to reach the expected results. Even at 100% load both models stay above 86% efficiency. The 760W PSU shows a power factor close to 0.99 (115VAC).



OCZ gave us two Silencer samples with typical characteristics for a PC Power & Cooling product which remind us of the older days where PC Power & Cooling was an independent designer. Of course Seasonic made the basis for these two power supplies but finally they have changed the hole cooling concept. In addition Seasonic is a great ODM who provides a high-quality layout.

When we take a look at the delivery contents we can find similar extras in the packages. Both PSUs come with a power cord, a small user manual, some screws and one PC Power & Cooling sticker. While the 760W version has eight SATA connectors on two cables the 910W model comes with an additional SATA cable. Both ones are able to supply two high-end GPUs or four GPUs with one PCIe connector each. And we shouldn't forget that these PSUs provide two 8-pin connectors (one with 4+4-pin) for CPUs with a length of 60cm. That's more than enough for current hardware in a large computer case. Only the cable sleeving could be a much better version.

In the inside of the PSU the manufacturer uses two very large heatsinks for the MOSFETs and diodes as well as an additional heatsink for the bridge rectifiers. The internal design is almost perfect for an 80mm cooling but we have to criticize that there s not much space in the primary circuit. Many chokes are glued together in this part. PC Power & Cooling (Seasonic) implemented Japanese capacitors from Nippon Chemicon and Rubycon. The EMI filtering is equipped well while the power factor preregulator is outstanding. Two chokes, two caps and two bridge rectifiers are very powerful, specially in order to provide a clean output voltage for switching. That's relatively unusual (for the smaller 760W version).

As always we take a look at the current prices. Let's start with the 760W model which costs 129.99USD. To get 80Plus Silver from Corsair you have to pay 10USD more for a HX 750W. Even the previously tested Antec HCG 750W with an 80Plus Bronze certification is as expensive as the Silencer 760W. In addition there is a visible price difference to most 80Plus Gold models. Altogether the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 760W is a good buy for enthusiasts who care about a strong cooling.

Ditto for the Silencer 910W which showed slightly worse results in our test. With 159.99USD it is less expensive than the SilverStone ST1000-P with the same 80Plus certification. The only real competitor for PC Power & Cooling is the Enermax Revolution85+ 920W since it has modular cables.

Finally the PC Power & Cooling 910W gets a compliment for an adequate performance while the Silencer 760W gets our Silver award for low(er) ripple & noise results and an excellent price-performance ratio. The only two things this PSU should have to be ready for our Gold award are a better fan (Sanyo Denki, Nidec, Delta) and 80Plus Gold.

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