{"id":11064,"date":"2009-09-02T04:14:09","date_gmt":"2009-09-02T04:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/?p=11064"},"modified":"2009-09-02T20:41:26","modified_gmt":"2009-09-02T20:41:26","slug":"high-performance-gaming-on-a-budget-building-a-value-pc-with-cooler-masters-silent-pro-600-m","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alienbabeltech.com\/main\/high-performance-gaming-on-a-budget-building-a-value-pc-with-cooler-masters-silent-pro-600-m\/","title":{"rendered":"High Performance Gaming on a Budget: Building a Value PC with Cooler Master’s Silent Pro 600 M"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Power Supply: Cooler Master Silent Pro 600 M<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Welcome to our Value series, part 4.\u00a0 This review covers the power supply unit (PSU) of our new value build that we introduced here<\/a>.\u00a0 The second part of our \u201cHigh Performance Gaming on a Budget\u201d series of reviews, reviewed an extraordinary value case, \u201cBuilding a Value PC with Cooler Master\u2019s Gladiator 600<\/a>\u201d. The third part jumped ahead to the benchmarks<\/a>, comparing our new value PC\u2019s AMD Athlon II X2 and Phenom II X2\/X3 platform verses the much more expensive Intel Core2Quad setup.<\/p>\n

However, as important as saving money on hardware is, this editor believes that the choice of a power supply (PSU) is critical to any PC build. The PSU should never be cheap or generic. Too much depends on it to go bargain bin or generic hunting. I would recommend that you instead look for sales and perhaps even rebates to save money.\u00a0 At the time of writing this article, Cooler Master\u2019s Silent Pro 600 M has been on sale at NewEgg.com for the last few weeks for only $79.99 with free shipping!\u00a0 That is $40 off the regular price.<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.newegg.com\/Product\/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171036<\/a><\/p>\n

You also need to remember that a quality PSU will likely last through several builds if you plan ahead. Another thing to consider is \u201cnoise\u201d \u2013 ideally you do not want your power supply\u2019s cooling fan adding any<\/em>.<\/p>\n

We are not out of order by insisting on Cooler Master\u2019s Silent Pro 600 M.\u00a0 We are helping to get the word out that generic and cheap power supplies waste lot of electricity and thus your money.\u00a0 They also hurt your wallet by producing excess heat and costing you more electricity per month in cooling your room.\u00a0 Even worse, a cheap PSU may not provide stable power for your PC components and will perhaps even shorten their life; and they will certainly limit your overclocking potential.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_box\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Although we are planning a budget build, we have planned for at least a HD 4870-X2 or HD 4870 CrossFire and we require absolute stability from our power supply unit. We also plan a practical test of this PSU\u2019s stability that may blow your mind; something that we do not recommend that you attempt for yourself.<\/p>\n

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Specifications and Packaging<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Our Cooler Master Silent Pro 600 M arrived in this box with a Cooler Master business card and with these instructions in several languages on both paper and on CD to accompany the cables, screws and the PSU itself:<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_box_INS\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is the other side of the instructions, the warranty and also warranty information printed on the back of the card in English only.\u00a0 I am a little disappointed with the minimal instructions and the poor English translation but it is sufficient to be understandable and it does cover the basics of PSU installation.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_box_WARR\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is the label in its entirety which surrounds the box.\u00a0 The Silent Pro Series features and specifications are detailed right on the box.\u00a0 Silent Pro Series \u2013 M500\/M600\/M700, For more information, please visit our website: http:\/\/www.coolermaster.com<\/a><\/em> <\/em> \u2013<\/em> is repeated <\/em>in 16 languages besides English, which is a little strange but conveys an international feeling.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_Label\"<\/a> \"PSU_600_Label_lang\"<\/a> \"PSU_600_Label_lang1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are the specifications, right off the box and also in an easy-to-read chart:<\/p>\n

\"Specifications\"<\/a> \"Specifications_chart\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is what is included to make connections with your PC as shown on Cooler Master\u2019s own web site<\/a>.\u00a0 The cables are of a flat design which is becoming popular as they can restrict less airflow if laid out properly inside the case.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_included\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Cooler Master\u2019s Silent Pro 600 is a handsome all-black unit that appears well put together.\u00a0 The specifications are right on the unit as shown:<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_specs\"<\/a><\/p>\n

PCIe cabling allows for the most modern 6-pin plus 2-pin connectors for two videocards.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_PCIe1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is where you connect your PC to the Silent Pro 600 M.\u00a0 The modular design makes it impossible to mix up connections.\u00a0 The 6-pin gray sockets are for the PCIe connectors and the black 5-inline connectors are for the peripheral PC connector cables.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_mod_Conn\"<\/a><\/p>\n

As you can see, the modular design allows you to use only what you need.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_mod_asneed\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And here is the tangle of cables before they are neatly installed and routed behind the motherboard:<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_cableTangle\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are the same cables after they are organized a bit with a single HD 4870-X2 installed:<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_hideTangle\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Cooler Master\u2019s Silent Pro 600 M features 20 amps each on the 3.3 volt and 5 volt rail as well as 40 amps on the single 12 volt rail. It is rated for a total of 600 watts at 85% (plus) percent efficiency.\u00a0\u00a0 It is rated by a company,\u201c80 Plus<\/a>\u201d which tests (for a fee) power supplies from many vendors to certify that the submitted PSUs are actually over 80% efficient at 20%, 50% and 100% loads as claimed. 80 Plus has expanded their testing to include bronze (82%), silver (85%) and gold (87%) certifications for power supplies.\u00a0 The Silent Pro series at 85% efficiency by Cooler Master is rated only 2% lower in efficiency than their Ultimate series.<\/p>\n

Efficiency is the ratio between the useful output of a PSU and the input. For example, if your computer actually uses 600W but draws 800W from the outlet, then the PSU\u2019s efficiency is 600W\/800W, or 75%.\u00a0 It also means in this example, that 200W of AC power is not converted into DC and is wasted, usually in the form of extra heat dumped into your room.\u00a0 Older or generic computer PSUs are typically 75% or less efficient.<\/p>\n

The more efficient your power supply is, the less your computer will waste power. Since any AC power that isn\u2019t converted into DC is exhausted as heat into your room, a more efficient power supply unit will run cooler and your air conditioner will also not have have to work as hard.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the 135 MM fan used to cool the Silent Pro 600M. Because of the excellent efficiency of the PSU, it allows Cooler Master to use a slower and quieter fan to cool it.<\/p>\n

\"BigFan\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s now look at the cable and the installation of our Silent Pro 600 M.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Options for installing the power supply and cables<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Cooler Master\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_install_DustF1\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Notice the silicone pads that we slightly pulled away on the right to show it better.\u00a0 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<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_PCIe\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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 \u2013 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\u2019s supplied dust filter only with the PS fan facing downward.<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_DustFinst\"<\/a><\/p>\n

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 \u2013 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.\u00a0 If the dust filter starts to clog with dust, simply tip your PC on its side and vacuum the dust away.\u00a0 You can also use a brush to loosen the dust, if necessary.<\/p>\n

Note the honeycomb design (image below) at the back to allow a free flow of air to cool your power supply unit\u2019s internal components.\u00a0 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).<\/p>\n

\"PSU_600_HC_Back\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Silent Pro 600 M looks awesome and the specs are right on.\u00a0 So let\u2019s test it under a practical situation with gaming.\u00a0 Then let\u2019s get carried away and try to shut it down with an extreme situation.\u00a0 HD 4870-X3 Tri-Fire sounds about right for a showdown with this PSU.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

The Test<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Test Configuration – AMD Hardware<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n