SilverStone Strider ST56F 560W

Since SilverStone Technology was founded in 2003 with a few lone products, they have proven to be an authority in the PC chassis and power supply industry. In fact, three of SilverStone's power supplies are certified by NVIDIA for official SLI usage and the same has begun with ATI for CrossFire certification. In addition, SilverStone has received honors at various trade shows and events, as well as numerous publications including Phoronix when we had examined such past products as the Strider ST405 and Sugo SG01. In addition to their well-rounded platter of PC cases and power supply units, they have also ventured into CPU cooling and have recently begun in the areas of storage and audio. The single product right now in SilverStone's audio collection is the Ensemble EB01, which is slated to be a premium USB digital to analog converter, while no products are publicly listed in their storage section. Speaking with a SilverStone Technology representative, he had informed Phoronix that they would introduce external hard disk drive enclosure products sometime after the start of 2006. Among the Element, Strider, Zeus, NightJar, and Gemini series, the latest product to have been released is the Strider ST56F 560W power supply, which is the focus of this article today. Although the ST60F was greatly praised in the media with its SLI certification, modular abilities, and quad +12V rails, the ST56F has the advantage when it comes to power efficiency, as it is the first product in the SilverStone Strider series to boast a level greater than 80%.

Features:

· Efficiency over 80%
· Dual +12V rails for advanced systems
· Dual PCI-E connectors (Certified by ATI CrossFire)
· Silent running 120mm fan
· Support for ATX 12V 2.01 & EPS 12V
· Active PFC
· Maximum DC Output of 560W

Contents:

Like the previously reviewed SilverStone Strider ST405, the ST56F ships in the same general package design as its sibling. On the front of the cardboard unit is an image of two of the 560W parts, a list of features, and various other marketing gimmicks. On the sides are additional specifications and special features to the particular unit. Opening up the packaging, we found four mounting screws, one ST56F user's manual, one US power cable, and the actual power supply. Unlike some manufacturers who preciously pack the actual PSU in a great deal of foam, or other protective material, SilverStone simply slides the unit into a plastic bag and has the external cardboard packaging of adequate size so it won't shake around too much.