SilverStone NightJar NJ520 Power Supply Review

Conclusion

Even though fanless computer PSUs are not a new concept, SilverStone's (or to be exact, Seasonic's) latest design is a refreshing approach. By greatly improving the energy conversion efficiency, there is no longer any need for bulky and expensive cooling solutions or even for exotic designs. The Nightjar NJ520 is very similar to any typical ATX-compliant PSU, with the exception of the "missing" cooling fan. Certain components and the heatsinks are oversized for a 520 Watt model, plus there are more ventilation openings, but that's where the major differences with a typical PSU end. It is very likely that the same exact platform will be found retrofitted with an active cooling system and minor other tweaks, selling as a 700-850 Watt unit, as the design can easily handle such output with the addition of active cooling.

When it comes to performance however, the Nightjar NJ520 is astounding. Seasonic's designs have always been well above average, but the electrical performance Nightjar NJ520 is nothing short of fantastic. This may be due to the oversized circuitry and components, which are usually found in units of higher output, allowing the Nightjar NJ520 to combine exceptional energy conversion efficiency and power output quality. The result is very high efficiency, which is not easily affected by temperature, and very low voltage ripple, from a power supply that generates zero noise as well.

Aside from its excellent performance, quality is another very strong characteristic of the Nightjar NJ520. Silverstone's choice of components has been excellent, as we failed to find even a single average-quality part inside the Nightjar NJ520. All of the capacitors, electrolytic and polymer alike come from highly reputable Japanese manufacturers, and the quality of the assembly and the soldering job are excellent as well, making the Nightjar NJ520 a truly well-made product. Warranty information regarding the Nightjar NJ520 is a bit hazy, as the length of the warranty is not specified on the box or even in the manufacturer's website; however, Silverstone covers the vast majority of their products with a three year limited warranty, and we believe that it includes the NJ520 even though the model is not specifically listed at the time of this review.

The high quality and oversized design however also are the source of this unit's major weakness. Since the Nightjar NJ520 is significantly oversized and essentially comprised of parts normally meant for more powerful units, it also is equally overpriced for a 520 Watt power supply. With a retail price of $139.99 including shipping (after rebate), the price tag of the fanless Nightjar NJ520 is almost equal to that of 750 Watt 80 Plus Platinum PSUs (which of course include a fan for active cooling). Overall, the Nightjar NJ520 is a very high quality fanless modular PSU with excellent electrical performance; whether the fanless design is worthy of such a premium price however heavily depends on the budget and priorities of the user. If your priority is noiseless operation combined with great overall performance and quality and you are willing to pay the rather steep price to get what you want, the Nightjar NJ520 will not be a disappointment.