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- Date:
- Tuesday , January 22, 2008
- Author:
- Paul Johnson
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
SilverStone Strider ST400 400w Power Supply
SilverStone updates its mainstream Strider ST400 computer power supply. Last time SilverStone failed our low voltage test, critical in the USA. We find out whether or not this new version is up to our quality standards.
Build Quality
As we already know the SilverStone ST400 features a single 120mm fan design that has come to be the preferred standard for quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan. While great for quiet computing environments the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient, not necessary its sound level or form factor.
External Build Quality
The ST400’s exterior is very closely matched to that of the ST405 and features a 120mm fan that dominates the exterior of the unit. Otherwise the ST400 like the ST405 is a matte black that is resistant to scratching as opposed to a mirrored finish that many companies are producing these days. The rear of the unit features a voltage selector as the unit is not full range as the ST405 was advertised as being even though in reality was lacking APFC. Overall this is a very plain yet attractive looking unit all around.
The ST400 comes in at a length of ~5 ˝ inches while the cables stretch out to a respectable ~19 inches to the first or only connector. The only real downside here is the only cables that are sleeved are the ATX connector and the P4/AUX connector so there will still be some wiring spaghetti to deal with when using this power supply.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the ST400 we are greeted by a rather sparse FSP design featuring a 120mm overhead fan. While the Enhance built ST405 PCB appeared to have had a “bite” taken out of the main PCB on the primary side by the primary capacitors the ST400 has that section of PCB intact but it is devoid of components. The interior of this unit is about as well populated as the ST405 however it appears less so at first glance given the different heatsinks used. Where the heatsinks were “fingered” and bent over to maximize surface area in the ST405 the ST400 we have here today features heatsinks that look a lot less well matched to a single 120mm overhead fan. Instead of being fingered like the ST405 the heatsinks are mostly a straight slab of aluminum with a little bit of ridging that would line up well if the unit was cooled by 80mm fans mounted in a push/pull or a lone 80mm fan configuration. At the same time the perforated heatsink that is attached to the one slab looks almost like an afterthought to pay lip service to the overhead fan. We have, however, seen other FSP power supplies with this odd pairing of heatsinks to overhead fan and they have done fine so while looking mismatched this issue may be all for not. The fan charged with cooling this setup is Yate Loon rated at 0.30A at 12v.
On the primary side of the unit we see a pair of OST 200v 820uF 85c capacitors as the unit lacks APFC. We also see the limited input filtering for this unit on the PCB in front of the interesting heatsink with the great barren north behind the primary capacitors.
On the secondary side the first thing we notice is a pair of small printed circuit boards. The one that looks precariously perched on the crooked mount on the heatsink houses the fan controller while the upright one attached to the main PCB features the OCP and other protection circuitry. Filling out the capacitor selection on the secondary side are Teapo capacitors which were found along with Su-scon and Jamicon on the ST405. Finally, the wiring is bundled and exits the housing through a plastic wire guard.
Overall the build quality of the ST400 is simply “OK.” The exterior of the unit is well finished and attractive with the exception of the partially sheathed wiring. Once we open the unit though we are certainly a bit let down. There just is nothing stellar here to make a user stand up and take notice once we open the ST400. While sparse units can do well the ST400 just doesn’t seem to exude the quality of other SilverStone products with the OST primary capacitors, Teapo secondary capacitors, mismatched looking heatsinks, odd secondary fan controller PCB, and limited input filtering. However, it could be argued that this unit is being marketed to a price point so it is hardly going to be the same quality construction as the much more expensive SilverStone offerings. The real question though is, will pressure to meet a price point be the undoing of this unit? With that question in mind let’s move on and see how it does when pressed into service.