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[review]SilverStone ST56F, A very Enticipated PSU!
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TSDaRkSyThE
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 Nov 23 2007, 05:48 PM, updated 18y ago
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Look at all my stars!!
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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
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 23 2007, 05:54 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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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
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 23 2007, 05:58 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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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 |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 23 2007, 06:01 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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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
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 23 2007, 06:02 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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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
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 24 2007, 11:53 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(empire23 @ Nov 24 2007, 11:38 PM) 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. im not allowed to cause SilverStone Taiwan does not permit me to  sorry guys |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 25 2007, 08:40 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(vixxiee @ Nov 25 2007, 03:30 PM) ya..alot of ppl say its good...but i still try to search for modular type psu when you face problems with modular PSUs esp the mushkins, ure in for the journey of your life i returned my DA850W and opted for an Olympia. personally, i do not trust modulars anymore. the high end ones for Silverstone as doing fine, but from what i know those cheaper brands besides Corsair, Enermax,Hiper and SilverStone are somewhat still reliable. the rest, its up to you to try |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 25 2007, 09:43 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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@lehteck well, i only do reviews for my sponsors so if you sponsor me okay la of course there are strings attached @akachester yeah the buzzing sound is there[ for those that are scared, the buzzing sound is normal for PSUs with high efficiency. the buzzing sounds occur with SilverStone PSUs with the 80Plus Structure, but it is in no way dangerous remember that], but i didnt really notice it as much as my DA850. i wonder why Modular PSUs are not to say unreliable but still their reliability is still yet to be proven. but personally i like the fact that you can move cables around. but performance, im not to savvy bout it.
but hey, may i also repeat that high end manafacturers such as Corsair, Enermax, Hiper and Silverstone are deemed to be reliable manafacturers for modular PSUs.
others like cooler master, gigabyte, thermaltake (though their 1kW+ PSUs are apparently solid.) and Mushkin which are still relatively new to the market, its really up to you to make that choice.
I'm not here to ban you guys from modular PSUs, just buy them from reputable companies that have been in this industry for a long time. they would have done all their research and stuff  oh yeah, and guys let me know what you want me to review from SIlverStone next. I'll see what I can do This post has been edited by DaRkSyThE: Nov 25 2007, 09:44 PM |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 26 2007, 09:11 AM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(168257061 @ Nov 26 2007, 02:32 AM) oh.this is the newer version ST56F, a stronger +12v rail than older one... @TS, whats the next review ? Olympia series ?  Hopefully but i know im getting he Zues 1200 Watts QUOTE(akachester @ Nov 26 2007, 08:41 AM) Yea, as i said, the buzzing sound is not something dangerous but it can be annoying at times. At least it scared me last time P.S: I would really love to see a review on the OP650 here. Cable management on modular PSU had been discussed before and it really depends on a persons rig. If you are owning a rig that comes with little hardware, yes, cable management on modular PSU is better as unused cables can be taken out easily. However, if you rig are full of hardwares and almost every single cable is occupied, then having a normal PSU would be better as all cables are coming out from a single place and thus, allowing better cable management. Regarding other issues, many enthuasist still doubts the reliability and capability of modular PSUs. Not sure how reliable are they.. you got it champ i'll see what i can do i actually wanna do a 1kW PSU |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 26 2007, 05:36 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(lehteck @ Nov 26 2007, 04:47 PM) When Bro? Looking forward to it.. op1000, st1000  you guys vote and let me know. ill just ask InterAsia to pass it to me |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 28 2007, 10:25 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(wodenus @ Nov 28 2007, 03:05 AM) What about the OP650 ? AnandTech implies that it's not actually a single-rail PSU, but actually a quad-rail one. Since it's marketed as a single-rail PSU, it would be interesting to find out if it's really just four rails instead of one. Source : http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/s...spx?i=3037&p=12hmmm this is something really interesting here though, i am still pondering on how to test or rather show that its a Quad railed PSU i shall keep ya updated |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Nov 30 2007, 08:47 AM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(Core_Trace(R) @ Nov 29 2007, 12:34 PM) looking 4ward to take this PSU.....yeah..... heard many superb reviews about it.... the price is also relatively low considering the whole average performance. remember that, but look ou for the version no. personally i dont feel that it has an impact V3.0 or 3.1. dont see any reports on which is first so im guessing the perform about the same |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Dec 1 2007, 11:02 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(terramatora @ Dec 1 2007, 08:13 AM) can dis psu handle quad n 8800gt sli? depends on the whole setup AFAIk yes it can if youre pairing it with a E6600 or something |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Dec 2 2007, 12:18 AM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(168257061 @ Dec 1 2007, 11:03 PM) this PSU dont have fan controller right ? nope. not like the enermax you mean? |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Dec 4 2007, 10:18 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(§layerXT @ Dec 4 2007, 01:35 AM) I-CUTE "true-power". The price already can grab Acbel... the strider also not that expensive. omg that brand should not be anywhere near my thread! i forbid that brand |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Dec 8 2007, 06:32 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(bryanyeo87 @ Dec 8 2007, 11:48 AM) nice review bro DaRkSyThE, i have this psu too  but i notice it does make a slight hissing noise which is barely audible if i stick my ear next to it. haha well the explanation was posted up a few pages back nothing serious |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Feb 6 2008, 10:24 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(kingmax @ Feb 6 2008, 10:12 PM) Thank you for all the comment reply Right now I'd like to know what are the difference between version ? 3.0 , 3.1 , 3.2 and others ? What is the price of ST56F ? I am worry with the buzzing noise too.Hoping to get a quiet/silent PSU. not much diff in all ther version. probably some new caps inside for improved stability. newer versions comes with stronger rails though. yeah, its a quiet psu |
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Feb 8 2008, 11:19 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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buzzing sound shouldnt be from the newer ones now
in any case, its not dangerous also
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TSDaRkSyThE
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Feb 15 2008, 09:48 PM
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Look at all my stars!!
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QUOTE(Oxburg @ Feb 13 2008, 01:47 PM) The 12V is depend on the Mobo.Mine is juz 11.71V no thats not true. its dependent on what you hook up to it. |
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