Phew! It has been a long weekend finishing up the ST50F Power Supply unit review. After sending it back, I received another Power Supply unit in its place, the Silverstone ST56F.
In actual fact, many forumers here actually asked me to do this review, and honestly, I am delighted to do so for you guys. All I can say is, enjoy! Feedback is always welcomed

For as long as I can remember, this unit has been through so much change in terms of specifications and efficiency.
the unit that i received was labeled as Version 3.1. I'm not aware of the latest model for this unit, but I heard that there is another version of this unit that comes with the 8-pin PCI-Express connector. Lets leave this to all the si fu's around this forum to help me out a little here.

On with the review,

The Silverstone ST56F is not a new product from Silverstone Technologies. As you all know, this is what we call the Super Affordable and Value for money because the performance ratio to the price is greater than that of many Power Supply units out there. Compared to its younger brother, the ST50F, this PSU packs in another additional 60W. This PSU should be enough to power up a low end SLI rig (as stated on the ST50F review) and with the additional 60W, stability should be even greater. Like its younger brother too, the most attarctive feature of this PSU is that its Active PFC.

Now what is Active PFC? Well, its long to explain it here so I am just going to refer you to SilverStone's fantastic explanation. You can find it here!

Lets move on with the features,

Efficiency over 80%
Dual +12V rails for advanced systems
Dual PCI-E connectors (Certified by ATI CrossFire)
Silent running 120mm fan
Support for ATX 12V 2.01 & EPS 12V
Active PFC

The fan that came along with this power supply is silent. Many forumers raised the question on whether this unit is very much louder than the Silverstone ST50F, but to be honest, I didn,t really feel there was much difference in terms of sound. In short, this power supply unit is still suitable for HTPC setups because it is still silent, and packs a punch. Oh yes, and the air blowing out from the ventilation holes was cold!

here are the specs off the Silverstone Website:



oh yes, and all of these comes to you for only RM349!

This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 24 2007, 07:08 PM

First look:
So we are back here with the same magnificent designed box by SilverStone. The Strider series has always been seen in a small and simple designed black box with a hint of blue.


The front of the box


Another look at it!


A glimpse at the Special features.


Le manual


the black screws that came with it! A power cable was included too. but everyone knows what it looks like


the 8-pin to 4-pin EPS converter

This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 23 2007, 05:55 PM

here is what this baby looks like :




A look on the Super Silent fan that came with it


the back of the PSU. Honey Comb ventilation holes. Notice how the switch is in the middle?


Another look at it. Its standing tall



This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 23 2007, 06:01 PM

The cables :


Phew, thats a lot of cables!


A look at the 24-pin and 8-pin connectors


the 2 6-pin PCI-Express Connectors.


The Sata Power connectors. Non 90 degree ones like the ST50F.


And of course, the 4-pin molex connectors

The test bed :

Processor: Intel C2D X6800 @ 3.65GHz This is an overclocked system
Motherboard: Asus Maximus Formula Special Edition
RAM Module: Team Xtreem DDR2 Special OPB Edition (Micron D9GMH)
Graphic Card: Galaxy 7300GT
Heat Sink : Thermalright IFX 14
Hard Disk: Western Digital 36Gb Raptor
Operating System : Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2


Testing Methods.
1.Orthos is used to put the setup under load. Digital Multimeters with up to an accuracy of .00 is used to monitor the voltage fluctuations.
2. Voltage fluctuation readings are taken one every 30 seconds, the average is taken
3. OCCT is used to stress the system with Everest ultimate running to monitor the voltages
Cool down of 1 minute is given between each stress test.

This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 23 2007, 06:07 PM

Results :-


here are the results with the DMM!

here are the OCCT results


3.3 Volt


5 volt


12 Volt



Conclusion :
My doubts of this PSU handling my system disappeared when i reviewed the ST50F, but i still was concern that 560W was not enough. Luckily, I was proved wrong for the second time. This Power Supply is definitely suited at systems that do not need crazy amount of power to power their system. Low end SLI equiped systems will not face any difficulties using this PSU unit in their system. Overall, this PSU is silent and strong.The voltage fluctuations for load and idle were minimal according my my trusty DMM! Moreover, the silence of the fan was maintained although the system was stressed. Oh yes, and as you can see, the 12V from the OCCT is super

Pros :-
-Definitely the most value for money PSU
-Cables long enough for those with the PSU cage at the bottom of the mobo.
-Has 2 6-pin PCI Connectors
-Active PFC
-Very silent. Suitable for HTPC setups
-Only Rm 349

Cons :-
-Not all cables fully sleeved (only 4-pin molex connectors and SATA power connectors not sleeved.)


Overall, I award this PSU a 8/10

A special thank you to InterAsia for providing me with this lovely PSU to review.


This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 24 2007, 07:09 PM

sure grab this psu after read ur review.nice review bro

Wow..now this is a review my of current psu...nice job there..appreciate it..this is a hot rocking psu from silverstone man!

yo nice review there, i'm using the psu as well. never thought it's so good after reading ur review. thxs for the info.

great PSU, nice review there also btw, Market Price how much for this Babe?

Just wondering, can this PSU support 8800GT SLi?

sure no problem.. since there got 2x 6 pin connector.

This post has been edited by angelic-x: Nov 24 2007, 09:42 PM

Approximately around rm330-rm350...

What i meant was is it stable enough to support 2x8800GT Sli?

open ze PSU lol.

I might be able to poast basic topology analysis.

i think if ze PSU was to be opened.
he will receive ze bill from interasia...

This post has been edited by cstkl1: Nov 24 2007, 11:03 PM

using this psu now hehe

Sure boh?

I do get samples and i'm usually allowed to open them for analysis.

Although i'm not too sure about Malaysian distri policy, i usually get my samples from the manufacturer.

super great PSU

im not allowed to cause SilverStone Taiwan does not permit me to
sorry guys