Review: HEXUS PSU (Power Supply Unit) Roundup - Taoyuan 2005

by Ryszard Sommefeldt on 23 September 2005, 00:00

Tags: Aopen, Enermax (8093.TWO), Zalman (090120.KQ), Akasa, Thermaltake (3540.TWO), OCZ (NASDAQ:OCZ), Tagan, SilverstoneTek, FSP Group (TPE:3015), Hiper, ETASIS

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabkp

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Silverstone ST30NF & QTechnology QT-03350G

Silverstone EFN-300

Retail Name (if known)Silverstone Zero Acoustic 300W
Rated Output Power300W
SpecificationATX
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage110-220V, 50-60Hz
Fan(s)Fanless
Cable runs24-pin ATX with P4+ split
P4
SATA
SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex
Max currents+3.3V = 23A
+12V = 18A
+5V = 25A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V180W
Passed certification checksYes (CB, Taiwan, EN 60950. CE, Taiwan, EMC)

The Silverstone ST30NF, a fanless ATX 300W unit with modest +12V output, passed all the tests without issue. Manufactured by Etasis and shipping without the detachable fan that the otherwise identical Etasis version has, under load it got hotter than most, despite having higher-than-average efficiency. The fanless design sees to that. +12V got high under heavy sustained load, closing in on +13V near the end of the test. It's nice to see Silverstone request that Etasis fit an EATX connector with P4+ split.

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)

QTechnology QT-03350G

Retail Name (if known)QTechnology Gold Series 350W
Rated Output Power350W
SpecificationATX 2.0
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage110-220V, 50-60Hz
Fan(s)120mm
Cable runs24-pin EATX
P4
half AT
4 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x SATA
2 x SATA
PCI Express Graphics (PEG)
Max currents+3.3V = 22A
+12V = 10A + 15A
+5V = 21A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V140W
Passed certification checksYes (CB, Japan, EN 60950. TUV, Germany, EN 60950)

QTechnology was a PSU vendor I'd never come across before this roundup. Their 350W ATX 2.0 model performed admirably. Average is the word to describe the test results with slightly low voltage rails under heavy load and bang-on average efficiency. It didn't get warm at all and the connectivity is decent. Four SATA makes up for the relative lack of 4-pin Molex and a PEG connector for graphics is welcome. A solid all round ATX 2.0 PSU that does everything well, but nothing exceptionally.

Recommended system: Low-end to mid-range P4, AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939.