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Introduction
PCPower & Cooling comes about as close to a fairy tale success story as it gets. The company came from humble beginnings intending to produce silent fans, cases and power supplies. In their second year they abandoned the first two goals and decided to focus solely on PSU design, we have all been the better for it.
Unfortunately it's only been of late
End-users have begun to appreciate how integral the PSU is to the
health of their system. Lets face it, the power supply isn't "sexy", it
doesn't produce wonderful 3D images nor play the latest games. In fact
if your PSU is working properly you shouldn’t even know it's there.
It's when your PC runs into trouble such as annoying re-boots you begin
to take note (if it's the problem). Over the last few years
PC-Enthusiast and Overclocking forum threads on the subject of the PSU
have spread like the plague. Posts on that subject have increased ten
fold and especially following the decision to change 12VDC
specifications. Introducing a multiple rail concept has created more
problems then it's resolved.
This is largely due to the
infamous ATX/EPS 12V Power Supply current limitations 18A ~ 22A on all
12VDC rails which seems to have reaked havoc on high current dual core
processors prior to Conroe and higher end graphic card power
requirements, which continue to increase at an alarming rate.
PCPower&Cooling has remained one of the sole voices of reason
through these confusing times and their adamant refusal to follow
trends for the sake of marketing simply to print an "in spec label" on
their box has not swayed this company. This is exactly the attitude
which sets PCPower&Cooling apart from the “herd mentality" most of
whom choose profits over technology.
It's been PC Power's
choice to re-design single 12V rail PSU's instead of abandoning that
design which has industry leaders traveling to Carlsbad, California.
The model we’re testing today, the Silencer 750 EPS12V will provide plenty of power without a need for ad hoc
fixes such as "Fusion Rail" technology. With all due respect to Mushkin
whom have contracted to supply a decent PSU, not only they are not PSU
"designer's" per se, there are aplethora of other PSU's sharing similair technology. It's more profitable to implement rail load sharing then to build more powerful or proprietary rails. In fact approximately 80% of the PSU's sold under one name are built by someone else such as Fortron FSP
PCPower&Cooling,
design and build all their PSU's and the Turbo-Cool series is almost
entirely fabricated in-house. While the 750 EPS12V is certainly a
powerful design its two 6-pin connectors seem to indicate this is not a
PSU ready for QUAD SLI, however we were able to run two 7950GX2 in QUAD
SLI mode with it. We’re also fortunate to have the opportunity to test
PCPower's new Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR
soon. The 1KW-SR is most certainly a evlolution in PSU technology and
one of very few PSU's which will be capable of driving multiple (QUAD
SLI) Geforce 8800 GTX cards as well as Quad-Core CPUs.
Packaging
PCP
has always used packaging which keeps their PSU's several inches from
the outer box, using foam or lately cardboard braces. Most PSU’s are
wrapped in thin bubble wrap in their original box. To be completely
safe they need to be placed in a second box with packing, this
increases cost. PCP can ship in their original box, which even if
punctured should keep the PSU safe.
Once
out of the box the PSU looks clean and has a unique "copper" color
however, it is not made of copper. I like the break from the flat
black, some do not and for the traditional folks black is available.
The wiring is atypical, PCP eschewing modular gimmicks for all the
right reasons, namely resistance and unnecessary potential failure
points (plastic connectors).
Spreads
out the connectors are well thought out with 24-pin baseboard, 8-pin
& 4-pin CPU, 8-Molex (1-floppy), 6-SATA, and 2x 6-pin video. The
connectors are not overdone, and lengths have been augmented avoiding
the usual zip-tie fiasco or stuffing lengthy cables into empty bays,
etc.
Another issue I've been introducing into my PSU reviews lately, (thanks to my friend Sunshine Dan) especially concerning high-current Power Supplies, has to do with the included power cord. Most PSU's I've tested even of late, have included an 18AWG (American Wire Gauge (maximum load resistance)) regardless of current. Only the Silverstone Zeus ST85ZF (to be reviewed here soon) included a 16AWG power cord. PCPower has included a 14AWG power cord with their 850SSI, 1KW Turbo-Cool and the Silencer 750 EPS12V tested today. Given the current draw of these high power units this is the last (or first as it were) place you (do not) want a bottleneck to occur.
Silencer 750 EPS12V Specifications
| PCPower&Cooling Silencer 750 EPS12V | | Operating Range: | 90-264 VAC
.99 power factor | | Frequency: | 47-63Hz | | Current: | 12A | | Efficiency: | 83% | | DC Output: | +5V @ 30A
+12V @ 60A
-12V @ 0.8A
+3.3V @ 24A
+5VSB @ 3A
continuous = 750W
peak = 825W
| | Regulation: | 3% (+3.3V, +5V, +12V)
5% (-12V) | | Ripple: | 1% (p-p) | | OV Protection: | +3.3V, +5V, +12V | | OC Protection: | 135% OPP | | Agency Approval: | UL/ULC/CE/CB/RoHS | | Operating Temperature: | 0" - 40" C | | Humidity: | 20% - 80% RH | | Fan Type: | 22 - 55 CFM ball-bearing | | Noise: | 28 - 42dB(A)
| | Compatibility: | EPS12V / NVIDIA SLI certified | | M/B Connectors: | 24-pin, 8-pin, 4-pin, dual 6-pin Video
| | Drive Connectors: | 15 (6 SATA, 1 mini) | | MTBF: | 100,000 hours |
PCP
now offers a test report with any PSU they sell for a $15 fee. Using a
75K$ Chroma tester they test all rails essentially finding the maximum
current prior to shutdown. For this reason it's important to look for
maximum amperes and the length of time the test was run. Thumbnails
below exemplify the report sent along with our Silencer 750EPS12V, the
second picture indicates maximum amperes on the 12V-Rail;
 
Next, under the hood ->
Innards
750 EPS12V Circuit Topology
When
I removed the cover from the Silencer 750 I was surprised at the
exiguous component layout, especially for a PSU offering 60A on the
12V-rail. After a discussion with Doug at PCPower&Cooling I began
to understand as circuits evolves and better parts become available so
too does design implementation, our perception of what constitutes a
high current PSU will change.
From
past experience with PCPower units it's almost as if they've left some
parts out. Taking a closer look we find a single "can" (Capacitor)
responsible for the usual current smoothing and storage. The 12V, 5V
and 3.3V taps all originate from this transformer which is nothing out
of the ordinary, just extraordinary for PCPower&Cooling whom have
been using multiple or proprietary transformers and related circuitry
effectively placing three PSU's into a single box. This began with the
turbo-Cool 850SSI almost three years ago.
  
Build
quality is as usual top notch and parts spec is very respectable. From
the side view we can see PCPower engineer's have left over a cm of
space between the fan outlet and components. This is the major reason
the Silencer 750 is so silent since any object placed in close
proximity to fan blades creates turbulence hence increases noise level.
  
PCP
has kept their Silencer 750 very clean and organized. The layout has to
be the most efficient as far as topology I've seen for a PSU of this
wattage and especially the amount of amperes on the 12V-Rail.
Thumbnails below exemplify circuits and the close-up on the far right
indicates the 12V-baseboard and 12V-Rails derive from isolated sources,
in compliance with the 12V EPS Power Supply and Motherboard Guides.
   
Test Setup & Stress testing ->
Tests Conclusion
Testing the Silencer 750EPS12V
Testing the Silencer 750 involved our usual methodology including taxing the processor at 100% simulated LOAD with S&M 1.8.1. while measuring Rail voltage with a Extech MN26 Minitech.
Probes were applied to the reverse side of the ATX and CPU connectors
as well as other leads for "live" readings. To measure temps the Extech MN26 Minitech thermocouple probe in addition to the TTGI SF-609 Rheostat
external thermistors (calibrated with the Extech). Temps were measured
at the PSU, inside the case and externally to record ambient (room)
temp. Noise levels were recorded using a Smart Sensor AR-824 SPL meter at a distance of 1m.
| 1. Intel / 2. AM2 Test Systems: |
| CPUs |
1. Intel Conroe 6400 Retail Socket-775
2. AM2 3800X2 Retail |
| Mainboards | 1. Asus P5W DH (BIOS 1407)
2. Asus M2N32-SLI Deluxe (BIOS 0706) | | | Memory |
1. Crucial Ballistix PC2-8000 (2028MB)
2. Super Talent PC2-8000 (2x2048MB) |
| Graphics |
1. AOpen Aeolus 7800GTX-DVD256
2. Leadtek PX7950GX2 TDH (2x) QUAD-SLI |
| Power Supply |
1. PCPower&Cooling Silencer 750EPS12V
2. Silverstone Zeus ST85ZF (alternated) |
| Cooling |
1. Swiftech Apex Ultra
2. Danger Den NVIDIA kit 4101 |
| Storage |
1. Maxtor 300GB SATA
2. 2x Seagate Barracuda 80GB SATA Perpendicular |
| Optical |
1. Plextor PX755-SA DVD/RW
2. NEC DVD/RW |
| Operating System |
Windows XP Home SP2+ |
Noise Testing:
As stated above we measure noise levels from a distance of 1m using the
Smart Sensor AR-824 SPL meter. The Silencer 750EPS12V is one quiet PSU
and practically inaudible mated with NZXT's ZERO case which has to be
the most silent case I've ever used, especially given it's 120mm fan
compliment which total's seven, one front intake, two rear exhaust and
four more intake on the side-panel.
Voltage testing:
The
Extech digital multimeter probes were inserted into the reverse end of
the 24-pin, 4-pin baseboard (CPU) which allows for accurate testing at
LOAD. To reiterate, the AMD component of the voltage testing on the
750EPS12V saw two Leadtek PX7950GX2 TDH running in what amounts to QUAD
SLI. The power supply only has two connectors therefore I wouldn't
recommend this unit for "true" QUAD SLI setup where four individual
cards are used. In the chart below total wattage is included next to
processor specs.
Conclusion:
PC Power & Cooling has redesigned their Silencer series offering a wide range (310W ATX ~ 750W EPS) of high current, low noise, affordable PSU's for all types of PC-Users. Eschewing multi-Rail for a single rail design eliminates overloaded rails, which also eliminates the need for ad-hoc fixes. A
single-Rail distributes current where and when it's needed, all one
need do is determine which model (wattage) will fit their needs and who
better to aid them in this decision than PCPower&Cooling.
PRO
 Single 12V Rail design at 60A
Exceptional build quality
Silent
Future proof
Astute investment
CON
 Finish, would prefer polished "copper like" metal
At the time of writing the Silencer 750EPS12V can be found for 200USD through Froogle approx.
I would like to thank PC Power & Cooling for supplying a tests sample off the shelf. Please look for our test of the Turbo-Cool 1KW-SR, a complete revolution in Single Rail technology capable of running multiple Geforce 8800GTX cards, and Quad core CPU's.
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