The SilverStone ST60F-TI Strider Titanium 600W PSU Review
by E. Fylladitakis on July 29, 2016 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- PSUs
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- SilverStone
- 600W
- 80Plus Titanium
Conclusion
Most manufacturers consider the 80Plus Titanium certification to be a badge for their pinnacle models only and thus they are offering just one or a few very high output and severely expensive models. SilverStone clearly did not take this approach. Their Strider Titanium series consists of three PSUs with a maximum output between 600W and 800W, a reasonable power level for the bulk of gamers and PC enthusiasts. Their pricing is reasonable as well, starting at $140 for the 600W model and reaching up to $170 for the 800W model at the time of this review, an average of $30 higher than corresponding 80Plus Platinum certified units. The new Strider Titanium series appear a fine mix between top grade specifications and value. However, the ST60F-TI has left us with mixed feelings.
Although the conversion efficiency of the Strider Titanium ST60F-TI 600W is exceptional, it does not really meet the 80Plus Titanium requirements with a 230VAC input. The directive dictates that, among other things, a PSU needs to reach 96% efficiency at 50% capacity in order to earn an 80Plus Titanium certification under 230VAC input. This may not be impossible but it is far too costly at this point of time and cannot be achieved by platforms such as this, which was originally designed for lower efficiency levels. As such, most OEMs and manufacturers take their certification under a 115VAC input, which is significantly less demanding. Ultimately, the ST60F-TI is more efficient than equivalent 80Plus Platinum certified units even though it cannot reach the directive’s efficiency requirements with an 230VAC input.
What took the hit for reaching this high efficiency on a platform that was not really originally designed for it however is the power quality. The ST60F-TI offers very good voltage regulation but the filtering is inexcusable for a PSU of this class. This could be easily resolved with the use of capacitors, yet such extra components induce extra losses and lower the overall efficiency of the device. It is likely that Enhance used the absolute minimum possible in order to pass the 80Plus Titanium certification testing.
On the other hand, the ST60F-TI is a compact, aesthetically pleasing, high quality PSU that is covered by a five year manufacturer’s warranty. Modders that build both compact and typical systems will love its small proportions and elegant design, as well as its low noise output and great thermal performance. Overclockers probably scratched it off their list already because of the very high ripple but the ST60F-TI does deliver power quality within the ATX design guide’s specifications and should serve most typical users reliably, as long as no overclocking or use of very poor quality components is involved.
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Zoeff - Friday, July 29, 2016 - link
I've got this exact PSU for my secondary PC, which is a mini-ITX build. Definitely very quiet and very nice power efficiency!hansmuff - Friday, July 29, 2016 - link
What would be the potential savings in a typical 350-400W enthusiast gaming system compared to a Platinum old Gold PSU? Given this price for a 600W, I have a feeling there is very stiff competition when you compare the bottom line (cost of running a machine.)And that's completely ignoring the filtering issues, which alone for this price would drive me to the Seasonic 660 Platinum.
Freakie - Friday, July 29, 2016 - link
It would take years of 24/7 use at full 600W load to see any monetary savings by going up one or even two 80 PLUS certification tiers. The only reason to get a Gold/Platinum/Titanium is because they tend to be higher quality and the PSU is the most important part of your computer, so high quality is a good thing. Though this thing's Ripple kinda sucks, I definitely wouldn't buy this unit.It's hard to go wrong with Seasonic! I have a 750W Gold Seasonic myself.
Freakie - Friday, July 29, 2016 - link
To further expand. When I'm shopping for a power supply, the order of things I look at is: 1) Rated Wattage 2) Ripple 3) How it behaves in a hot environment 4) Cross-load test results 5) How modular (if it all) the unit is 6) The quality (cable gauge), length, and how many cables it comes with (I like to use Full Tower cases, so short cables wont work, and I tend to have a lot of drives) 7) Price and 8) Literally the last thing I look at is the 80 PLUS rating because there is no way in hell I am going to run a power supply at 100% load (I aim for 60%) and 1%-2% efficiency will make virtually no difference in my power bill. The $30 I save from getting Gold instead of Platinum is more than I am going to realistically save on my power bill.DanNeely - Saturday, July 30, 2016 - link
FYI, with new PSU designs crossload should be irrelevant. Instead of coupled 12 and 5.3/3v supplies modern designs are pure 12V first, and then use DC-DC converters to step down power to the lower voltages as needed.LordanSS - Saturday, July 30, 2016 - link
I'm with you here, I try to keep my intended load in the 50% range as well. Good for noise, good for the PSU's longevity too.Have had motherboards and video cards die in the past because of a poor PSU. A very good quality PSU is a sure thing investment, as they last a very long time anyways.
GeneralTom - Saturday, July 30, 2016 - link
I had a bad Seasonic PSU, Seasonic G-Series G-750.Cables are too short and very stiff.
Alexvrb - Sunday, July 31, 2016 - link
So was it faulty or just cables too short and stiff? Seasonic units are among the best. I buy mainly Seasonic or FSP. And stiff cables, well if the cables are very high quality (heavier gauge) they're going to be stiffer. Cheaper, thinner cables are more flexible. There is a limit though, and sometimes in a tight case you have to give up some wire thickness. But that doesn't mean stiff cables are a "bad" thing, they just have limitations, pros and cons.Freakie - Friday, July 29, 2016 - link
You know what, just for shits and giggles:1% Efficiency difference between Platinum and Titanium
400 W (your load)
12 cents average price per kWh electricity in the USA
.01(1%) x 400(w) = 4(w)
4(w) x 24 (hrs/day) = 96 (w/day)
96(w/day) x 365.25(days/year) = 35,064(w/year)
35,064(w/year) ÷ 1,000 (kWh) = 35.064 (kWh/year)
35.064 (kWh/year) x .12 ($/kWr) = $4.2 savings per year
So you save $4.2 per year if you run it at 400W 24/7 a day, all year long which I doubt you're going to do. There is a 3% efficiency difference between Gold and Titanium so you'd save $12.6 a year if you ran it at 400W 24/7 all year long. Efficiency ratings really aren't worth it.
DanNeely - Saturday, July 30, 2016 - link
At release max efficiency items of any type never pay for themselves in reasonable timeframes in areas of average cost; a situation that's been true all the way back to the original 80+ standard.You're missing two things, the first is that not everyone pays average rates. Move to Hawaii or Germany and you're paying 35-40c/kwh and the max efficiency models will quickly pay for themselves in 24/7 high load situations and generally break even over system lifespans. Move to somewhere in the developing world where the grid isn't reliable and you frequently need to run a generator to keep the lights on and even light usage will make high efficiency units pay for themselves (gas/diesel generators produce stupidly expensive power). Live somewhere hot enough that you run the AC most of the year and rarely need a heater and the fact that every kWH of power your PC consumes is matched by a second for the AC to dissipate it and your real energy costs can be well above the headline numbers. (Live far enough to the north and using it as a space heater reduces the effective cost of energy.)
The other factor you're forgetting is that they all become cheaper over time. When they first came out even the baseline 80+ models had a major price premium attached. Today for conventional use the lifetime breakeven point for an enthusiast system is with a Silver/Gold PSU, or Gold/Platinum under near 24/7 use.
PS A PSU that passes the titanium spec is 2% better than one that passes platinum. This one only got 1% above because it was oversold by Silverstone and didn't meet the spec.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_Plus