Zalman ZM300B-APS & FSP Group FSP300-60GNF
Zalman ZM300B-APS
Retail Name (if known) Zalman ZM300B-APS 300W Rated Output Power 300W Specification ATX Power Switch Yes Input Voltage 110-220V, 50-60Hz Fan(s) Single 80mm exhaust Cable runs 20-pin ATX
P4
half AT
2 x SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
3 x 4-pin MolexMax currents +3.3V = 28A
+12V = 18A
+5V = 30ACombined power for +3.3V and +5V 180W Passed certification checks Yes (CE, Norway, EU LVD and EMC)
Manufactured by FSP Group, the Zalman passed all tests without fuss. It stayed cool throughout, efficiency was fine under load, although less than Zalman claim in the product literature (with an efficiency that was never met even under light load). A fine selection of connectors means it's suitable for most low-end to mid-range systems that don't require a 24-pin EATX connector or high current draw on +12V. The fan appeared to be very quiet, under the ambient noise level in the labs. Voltage rails were almost spot on under load.
The unit was supplied by Silverstone themselves and the chassis had obviously been opened before delivery. Regardless, it performed to the same level as the untouched Etasis sample.
Recommended system: Low-end to mid-range P4 and AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939 (as long as an ATX 2.0 supply with independent multiple +12Vs isn't required)
FSP Group FSP300-60GNF
Retail Name (if known) FSP Zen Fanless 300W Rated Output Power 300W Specification ATX 2.0 Power Switch Yes Input Voltage 110-220V, 50-60Hz Fan(s) Fanless Cable runs 24-pin EATX
P4
2 x 4-pin Molex
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x SATAMax currents +3.3V = 20A
+12V = 14A + 8A
+5V = 20ACombined power for +3.3V and +5V 120W Passed certification checks Yes (CE, China, passing LVD, EMC Directive. UL, Taiwan, UL 60950-1)
FSP's Zen Fanless is an ATX 2.0 unit with very high efficiency and silent operation. It passed all tests without issue, FSP's near 90% efficiency allowing it to stay cool while generating a true 300W of output power for the full half hour, only 10% of power being lost as heat. Only four 4-pin Molex connectors is a surprising cable run choice by FSP. No 20-pin convertor or detachable P4+ is present. All the cables are braided from source to furthest end point. Everything is coloured blue.
Recommended system: Low-end to mid-range P4, AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939. Systems where silence is a primary concern or where high efficiency is desirable for long-term financial reasons.