SilverStone is a company with a strong existence in the PSU market and its portfolio contains a rich variety of products, which is covering every market segment from low end to high end PSUs. Many SilverStone PSUs specialty high power density, including the flagship ST1500-GS unit, which attains an impressive 646 watt per liter score, thanks to its low depth for such a high capacity PSU, which is only 18 centimeters.
Specs
- Max. DC Output: 1500
- PFC: Active PFC
- Proficiency: 80 PLUS Gold
- Modular: Yes (Fully-Modular)
- Intel Haswell Ready: Yes
- Operating Temperature: 0 – 40 °C
- Protections: Over Voltage, Under Voltage, Over Power, Over Temperature, Short Circuit
- Cooling: 135mm Double Ball-Bearing Fan (DFB132512H)
- Semi-Passive operation: No
- Dimensions: 150x87x180mm (WxHxD)
- Weight: 2.2kg (4.85lb)
- Form Factor: ATX12V v2.4, EPS 2.92
- Warranty: 3 Years
In almost every case, users who need such powerful PSUs will most likely install them in full-tower chassis where the PSU compartments can easily fit very large units. However, this does not mean that there will not be users in need of a smaller, but still powerful PSU, and this is where the ST1500-GS comes in. Proficiency is compatible with the 80 Plus Gold requirements, and according to SilverStone’s specs, the unit can deliver its full power continuously at up to 40 degrees Celsius, while the ATX spec recommends at least 50 C.
The cooling of this unit is handled by a double ball-bearing fan from Young Lin Tech, which is not supported by a semi-passive mode. Since such high capacity PSUs need increased airflow, typically very powerful fans are used; these fans need high start-up voltages, meaning their lower achieve-able speeds are still high enough to produce increased noise.
The PSU has enough EPS and PCIe connectors to deliver its max power proficiently. Furthermore, it was found an additional SATA cable, so the number of the corresponding connectors is 20 in total, alternatively the advertised 16. Additionally, the number of 4-pin peripheral connectors is adequate, and SilverStone provides two FDD connectors in case some users still use them.