High Performance Gaming on a Budget: Building a Value PC with Cooler Master’s Silent Pro 600 M
Options for installing the power supply and cables
Cooler Master’s Silent Pro 600 M is installed with silicone rubber fittings on the sides to keep it from conducting vibrations to the case and it really works to keep noise down. This is an extraordinarily quiet PSU with an almost silent 800 RPM 135 MM variable speed fan.
We note that the PSU can be installed so that the intake fan can be up or down. There are advantages and disadvantages either way. We have dropped screws inside the PSU when the fan faced up. As a tip, cover your open PSU with a cloth when you are adding a video card, for example.
Notice the silicone pads that we slightly pulled away on the right to show it better. The insulation is installed on both sides of the power supply unit and it helps to isolate any vibration and dampen noise as well as to keep your PSU (and case interior if it is painted) from being scratched
If the fan is down, it draws air in from below the bottom of the case and exhausts it out the back of the PSU – outside of the case airflow completely. If the fan is facing up, it draws warm air from inside your PC and exhausts it out through the PSU back grille. We used the Gladiator 600’s supplied dust filter only with the PS fan facing downward.
Facing downward with the fan drawing air in, the screen does not allow the PSU to become clogged with dust; however to keep the PS cool and with good air flow, the dust filter itself may need to be cleaned – especially if you are in a dusty environment. Simply place the dust filter in the case clips and you will now protect your power supply unit from choking with dust drawn in from beneath your case. If the dust filter starts to clog with dust, simply tip your PC on its side and vacuum the dust away. You can also use a brush to loosen the dust, if necessary.
Note the honeycomb design (image below) at the back to allow a free flow of air to cool your power supply unit’s internal components. If your case is extraordinarily hot, consider turning the PSU over and drawing cool air in from below the case (in modern case setups where the PSU is on the bottom of the case).
The Silent Pro 600 M looks awesome and the specs are right on. So let’s test it under a practical situation with gaming. Then let’s get carried away and try to shut it down with an extreme situation. HD 4870-X3 Tri-Fire sounds about right for a showdown with this PSU.
