PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad CF-Edition
by Christoph Katzer on July 18, 2007 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Final thoughts
In total the PCP&C Silencer 750 Quad had an impressive showing in our tests. What we have seen until now still has surprised us. PCP&C has been around a long time, but until now they never made it over the big lake to Europe. They will clearly have a big advantage now with OCZ and their well established sales channels.
The build quality is very good except for the flaking paint-job. That can be avoided by getting the non-CrossFire version, but the red color is very eye-catching and may be one more reason for some users to choose this PSU.
Since this is our second review we only have one power supply to compare with, but the Silverstone OP650 already had a very good efficiency level which has been topped by the Silencer 750 Quad. With more reviews to come we will have to wait and see how this table evolves in the future, but the PCP&C efficiency result is definitely going to be hard to beat. The standby efficiency has been good as well and it used only 0.8W without any load. With increasing load on the 5Vsb rail it showed us excellent results from up to 85% efficiency.
From the performance side the results were also excellent. The 3.3V and 12V rails are stable under any temperature and only the 5V rail has any minor flaws. Even these flaws aren't show stoppers, as the results are all well within the specifications. The 750 Quad is able to deliver its specified output, though with the voltage dropping we had slightly less than 750W. Since all voltages remain within spec and the PSU isn't bursting at the seams, there's clearly room for more.
In the area of naming, the Silencer falls a bit short when we look at the real measured noise levels. It is not a noisy power supply as long as the load remains under about 80% and ambient temperatures are below 30°C. The same holds true for most other power supplies, but then most of those don't put "Silence" in their name. To compare this unit with units that use 12cm fans we definitely see some shortcomings, as in our subjective opinion as well as in test results most power supplies with 12cm fans generate much less noise than the Silencer.
The idea of using a big gap between the fan and the heatsinks in order to reduce turbulence sounds very good initially, but if you look at the acoustic results it doesn't appear all that great. We would even go further and say that the gap doesn't bring much of a difference at all since you hear the fan noise, just like in every other power supply. So what does this small gap bring with it? First the housing needs to be extended, which means that the price for the case increases, the power supply is a bit heavier, and you pay for slightly higher transport costs. For the end-user it might not be a significant difference but if you calculate prices in terms of mass-production it may not be such a great idea. There's also a concern that the extra length may make the PSU less suitable for use in some cases, so users will definitely want to make sure that their intended case can accommodate a large power supply.
High connectivity is given through the various cables that offer differing lengths. Many other manufacturers also do this and it pays off. The user has more flexibility in working with cables and connectors and there are enough connectors that we would be hard pressed to imagine a scenario where an adapter or splitter would be necessary. This is also the first time we have seen a 14AWG power cord delivered with a power supply, which is just one more indication of PCP&C commitment to quality. With increasing power the cables need to be thicker, so now we just have to see how much the power outlet can provide.
With the results we have seen in this review PCP&C lives up to every advertised feature, and even the noise levels turned out to be real - with the above qualifications. The Silencer 750 Quad isn't like most other companies that advertise an incredible 17dB(A) only to deliver 27dB(A) at best. Given the overall quality and performance, the price of around $199 USD in the States and 150 EUR in Europe make this power supply a fair deal, especially for those looking at running a high-end system with multiple graphics cards.
Update: We've got word from OCZ that we've tested one of the first samples of this power supply and thus the paint job was done by covering the normal black paint. The paint job of the final version which is available in the shops will not flake off like our model.
In total the PCP&C Silencer 750 Quad had an impressive showing in our tests. What we have seen until now still has surprised us. PCP&C has been around a long time, but until now they never made it over the big lake to Europe. They will clearly have a big advantage now with OCZ and their well established sales channels.
The build quality is very good except for the flaking paint-job. That can be avoided by getting the non-CrossFire version, but the red color is very eye-catching and may be one more reason for some users to choose this PSU.
Since this is our second review we only have one power supply to compare with, but the Silverstone OP650 already had a very good efficiency level which has been topped by the Silencer 750 Quad. With more reviews to come we will have to wait and see how this table evolves in the future, but the PCP&C efficiency result is definitely going to be hard to beat. The standby efficiency has been good as well and it used only 0.8W without any load. With increasing load on the 5Vsb rail it showed us excellent results from up to 85% efficiency.
From the performance side the results were also excellent. The 3.3V and 12V rails are stable under any temperature and only the 5V rail has any minor flaws. Even these flaws aren't show stoppers, as the results are all well within the specifications. The 750 Quad is able to deliver its specified output, though with the voltage dropping we had slightly less than 750W. Since all voltages remain within spec and the PSU isn't bursting at the seams, there's clearly room for more.
In the area of naming, the Silencer falls a bit short when we look at the real measured noise levels. It is not a noisy power supply as long as the load remains under about 80% and ambient temperatures are below 30°C. The same holds true for most other power supplies, but then most of those don't put "Silence" in their name. To compare this unit with units that use 12cm fans we definitely see some shortcomings, as in our subjective opinion as well as in test results most power supplies with 12cm fans generate much less noise than the Silencer.
The idea of using a big gap between the fan and the heatsinks in order to reduce turbulence sounds very good initially, but if you look at the acoustic results it doesn't appear all that great. We would even go further and say that the gap doesn't bring much of a difference at all since you hear the fan noise, just like in every other power supply. So what does this small gap bring with it? First the housing needs to be extended, which means that the price for the case increases, the power supply is a bit heavier, and you pay for slightly higher transport costs. For the end-user it might not be a significant difference but if you calculate prices in terms of mass-production it may not be such a great idea. There's also a concern that the extra length may make the PSU less suitable for use in some cases, so users will definitely want to make sure that their intended case can accommodate a large power supply.
High connectivity is given through the various cables that offer differing lengths. Many other manufacturers also do this and it pays off. The user has more flexibility in working with cables and connectors and there are enough connectors that we would be hard pressed to imagine a scenario where an adapter or splitter would be necessary. This is also the first time we have seen a 14AWG power cord delivered with a power supply, which is just one more indication of PCP&C commitment to quality. With increasing power the cables need to be thicker, so now we just have to see how much the power outlet can provide.
With the results we have seen in this review PCP&C lives up to every advertised feature, and even the noise levels turned out to be real - with the above qualifications. The Silencer 750 Quad isn't like most other companies that advertise an incredible 17dB(A) only to deliver 27dB(A) at best. Given the overall quality and performance, the price of around $199 USD in the States and 150 EUR in Europe make this power supply a fair deal, especially for those looking at running a high-end system with multiple graphics cards.
Update: We've got word from OCZ that we've tested one of the first samples of this power supply and thus the paint job was done by covering the normal black paint. The paint job of the final version which is available in the shops will not flake off like our model.
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31 Comments
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strikeback03 - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
Enermax Liberty 400W - tag says up to 20A per +12V rail or 30A between them.
And frankly, if they had started with reviews of a couple 400-500W power supplies, people probably would have been asking "Where is the review of the (insert favorite big power supply here)? Which is pretty much what happened with the CPU cooler tests.
MageXX9 - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
I agree...We need to give these guys more time to review more power supplies.On another note, while I enjoy reading a 17 page power supply review, more often than not I don't have the time or energy needed to digest the entire article. Most times I read the first page, and then skip directly to the last. What I would really like to see, and think would be most beneficial to everyone interested in power supply articles, is something along the lines of a "leader board".
The "leader board" could have different classes such as 400W - 600W, and possibly an article describing how to properly rate your components. Learning how to accurately calculate the range of power needed for your system will prevent novices from buying a 750W power supply for a system that only needs 500W. While the 750W will work, it will not perform as well as a lesser wattage power supply ran at 70%.
The reason I think this would help is I build systems for myself, friends, or family and if I'm not up on the reviews then I have to wade through countless power supply reviews. It'd be nice to think, "I need something in the 400W - 600W range, what is the best". The leaderboard could show what's the best, and could also contain a personal reccommendation from the reviewer that takes into account other factors such as price/performance, asthetics, build quality, warranty, etc.
I'm not so sure a "leaderboard" for other components is needed since other components are made to work together. I know there is "Anand's picks" on the front page, but it says nothing about power supplies, cases, monitors....etc.
I'm just thinking out loud...any opinions?
Christoph Katzer - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
It sounds very interesting and I was already thinking about a monthly pick for example. Just an article which compares all PSUs tested the past month.I am not a fan of high performance PSUs myself. I am trying to get more lower performing ones but it's difficult since the companies want to send in their highest models. I already chose smaller/st models for the tests (Enermax Infiniti 650, Liberty 500, Seasonic 380/400 etc).
mostlyprudent - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
If I recall correctly, the "Anandetch PSU Test Methodology" article went so far to say that many users by PSU for in excess of their needs and that an 800 watt PSU is often less efficient at outputting lower wattage levels.I am hoping that once they get some more reviews up they will start delineating the kind of system each PSU would be appropriate for (i.e., SLI + Qaudcore) and start making some recomendations for difference wattage ranges.
sc3252 - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
I don't know anyone who uses these type of power supplies, and I am getting sick of all the top of the line power supply reviews. I am not just talking about this website, but hardocp seems to think a $120 power supply is mainstream too. Can you guys please review something we can buy(cough cough, college students).Disclaimer, i didn't read the review, and I don't even care to. This is something I wont buy, and I dont know anyone else that is going to be buying a power supply like it or that will need it.
mostlyprudent - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
Unless and until they review every PSU on the planet, some of us will always want more. I have bought my share of $40 PSUs with mixed results. Overall, I have come to believe that the PSU is one of the componants you should not skimp on.Having said that, I think wattage (more than price) is something I hope Anandtech covers with greater breadth. I will be disappointed if the majority of the PSU reviews are of 700+ watt PSUs.
I think the conventional wisdom is often that if brand XYZ makes a great 800 watt PSU, then their 450 watt PSU must also be great. This thinking seems to hold true across other product lines as well. I really hope Anandtech will test the validity of that thinking with respect to PSUs.
pervisanathema - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
You have made the common mistake of assuming that your personal experiences with money apply to everyone else outside of your peer group.It is quite obvious that these types of PSUs are selling briskly or manufacturers would stop making them instead of introducing new ones.
michal1980 - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
I agree with the budget guy.people are looking to buy the cheapest CPU and overclock it, but then spend the big bucks on Motherboards/Ram/Powersupply.
almost might be cheaper to buy a higher end cpu at a speed you know you will get and just get good middle of the road ram/psu/mobo. And you have the benefit of knowing it will work at that speed, not crossing your fingers
Alyx - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
If the extra inch or so between fan and components does not help with noise I wonder if it helps with cooling. Possibly creating a move even flow of air over the two heatsinks, and also negating the dead spot in the center of the fan.Good review, I'm really interested in these. It will be really nice in a few months once you have a good base of power supplies to compare too. Hopefully you will update the chart on the last page of the review as you go along.
Sgraffite - Wednesday, July 18, 2007 - link
The efficiency graphs on page eleven state "lower is better", when I'm pretty sure it should say higher is better :)