Product Comparison - Acoustics



The acoustics graphs tell a very clear story: three of the units have higher noise levels than the others throughout the test. The Antec TruePower Quattro, Hiper Type-R 770 Mk II, and Silverstone Olympia have the noisiest fans within this group of high-end power supplies. Even at lower loads, the fan speeds are quite high, resulting in the higher noise levels. All the remaining units perform well as the graphs show. During room temperature testing, most of the units stay under 20dB(A) up to around 80% load, at which point the fans need to work harder to cool the insides down.

Seasonic uses a very strict fan control scheme, which attempts to leave the fan running at lower speeds as long as possible. It's only when temperatures reach critical levels that the fan speed kicks up, and even then noise only increases by around 15dB(A). Two of the Hiper units also generate good results; both 880W models (shown with a green curve) stick out from the rest with low noise results. Even higher ambient temperatures don't disturb them much, as the temperature reaches about 76°C which is a normal result.

Product Comparison - Efficiency Prices and Conclusion
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  • Christoph Katzer - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link

    The arrangement will be changed next time ;)
    What about the amount of PSUs? Too many?
  • strikeback03 - Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - link

    I like the voltage vs. load charts used previously better than the bar charts. Obviously impractical with a 10 PSU roundup, but I hope they come back for smaller articles.

    Would it at least be possible to keep a consistent order to the PSUs, instead of sorting by output voltage? On the 3.3V charts on page 4 for example, it's confusing to have the Hiper 730 at the bottom of the 20% chart then the top of the 50% chart.
  • Dayneaw - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    The first graph on page six seems to be missing the results of the silverstone.
  • rickon66 - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    I love it when folks complain without even reading the review.
    "Maybe you just forgot to upload the final page?"
    Maybe you just forgot to read the review!!

    Anyway-Good job on the review.
  • Talcite - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    Good job guys, the o-scope readings/explanations are particularly nice =D.
  • SOLIDNecro - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    No "Final thoughts" or "Conclusions"???

    A summary report is one of the most important, if not most important part of any article, to leave it completely up to the reader to draw conclusions based on charts requires to much time and expertise for your average reader!

    Also your "Editors" choice awards are invaluable, you guys are the "Pro's" and should be able to guide the reader to what you would purchase for your own rig, and why it stood out from the rest of the pack

    Maybe you just forgot to upload the final page?

  • JEDIYoda - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    So whats so hard about making your own conclusion and thinking a little bit?

    Editor`s awards are bogus!

    Grow up dude!
  • JEDIYoda - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    Editor choice rewards awards are bogus!
    You can read and comprehend - can`t you?

    Make up your own mind!
  • Christoph Katzer - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    Just check the new arrangement. I wrote the comparison first and if somebody is interested to know more about a product he/she can check details after. The conclusion is on page 8.
  • ChronoReverse - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link

    I find it rather confusing that way. I also thought that there was no conclusion until I read the comments.

    That said, I do usually read the conclusion first. Perhaps it should go back to the end and then a short abstract placed in the front?

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