High-end PSU king PC Power & Cooling - owned by OCZ - has finally announced a new line of PSUs, in the shape of the Silencer MKII. In the process, it's broken the habit of a lifetime, shifting away from the 80mm cooling fan PC Power insisted was optimal for a high-end PSU.
The new model is its first PSU to utilise a larger fan, opting for a 135mm model.
It's no secret out here in Taiwan that OCZ has struggled financially recently, but it just undergone restructuring and secured extra funding. Its renewed interest in PC Power would seem to show that OCZ is broadening its focus and trying to get maximum value out of its brands. While we're happy to see PC Power return, unfortunately, arguably too much old-school influence remains though, as there's still no modular cable option for the new PSUs - the entire range is still captive cable only.
On the plus side, the MKIIs keep the single 12V rail and the premium 950W includes more cables than you'll probably ever need, but will actually require to use all that power.
All the PSUs are rated 80Plus Silver except the 500W alone which is 80Plus Bronze. They also claim "Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt". We're wondering whether that actually means it's just lower noise than a-n-other brand, or whether it's actually 10dB during operation?
Since Seasonic hasn't manufactured Silencers for a while (and has been re-using the PC Power PCBs elsewhere), we're wondering who OCZ has hooked up with now to manufacture its parts.
No word yet on a replacement for the TurboCools though, or if PC Power is interested in lower wattage parts for budget builds.
Is this a resurgence of the PC Power brand name with a competitive product? Or is it too little, too late? Let us know your thoughts, in the forums.
The new model is its first PSU to utilise a larger fan, opting for a 135mm model.
It's no secret out here in Taiwan that OCZ has struggled financially recently, but it just undergone restructuring and secured extra funding. Its renewed interest in PC Power would seem to show that OCZ is broadening its focus and trying to get maximum value out of its brands. While we're happy to see PC Power return, unfortunately, arguably too much old-school influence remains though, as there's still no modular cable option for the new PSUs - the entire range is still captive cable only.
On the plus side, the MKIIs keep the single 12V rail and the premium 950W includes more cables than you'll probably ever need, but will actually require to use all that power.
All the PSUs are rated 80Plus Silver except the 500W alone which is 80Plus Bronze. They also claim "Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt". We're wondering whether that actually means it's just lower noise than a-n-other brand, or whether it's actually 10dB during operation?
Since Seasonic hasn't manufactured Silencers for a while (and has been re-using the PC Power PCBs elsewhere), we're wondering who OCZ has hooked up with now to manufacture its parts.
No word yet on a replacement for the TurboCools though, or if PC Power is interested in lower wattage parts for budget builds.
Is this a resurgence of the PC Power brand name with a competitive product? Or is it too little, too late? Let us know your thoughts, in the forums.
RELATED ARTICLES
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review
October 14 2021 | 15:04
Want to comment? Please log in.