Antec's VP-350P is definitely not a quiet PSU

[mikeymikec]

I was looking for a quieter alternative to the Corsair CX430v2 (which is pretty quiet normally but I've bought it enough times to know that some of this model are noisier than others), and the Antec VP-350P is about the same price here and is 80-plus certified as well. I've used Antec's HCG range before and I would still be using it if I could find the HCG-400 in stock in the UK.

The VP-350P seems noisier than PSUs I've used for half its price. I have another of this model that I can try out in case the first one is somehow no good, but the noise from it doesn't suggest that it is faulty, more like a return to the days where 3-4k RPM CPU fans were en vogue.

- edit - I've just tried the spare VP-350P with a PSU tester and compared it to a CX430v2, and aside from an annoying harmonic from the latter (which sounds like a piece of paper making slight contact with the fan blades, but I can't see what might be making contact), the CX430v2 barely sounds like it is running at all, like say a 600-700rpm fan, whereas the VP-350P sounds like a 2000rpm fan to me even with only the PSU tester connected (it's not a stress tester, I think it only checks to see if the required voltage rails are working).

 

[lehtv]

The VP350P is not 80 Plus certified because it lacks active PFC, but it should be efficient enough to qualify (for 80 Plus, not Bronze).

That definitely sounds like it's noisier than I'd expect. I've regarded the VP series as good quality for the price based on hardwaresecrets' reviews (who don't test dBa), but if it's truly much noisier than the CX series, then it can't really compete. However, it's going to be pretty much impossible to find a properly quiet unit without going Gold efficiency.. although I'm quite sure that Antec Earthwatts Green units are very quiet. Maybe you should've got the Earthwatts 380D instead?

 

[mikeymikec]

Re: Earthwatts - yeah, probably. I'm pondering what to do with the two PSUs I have spare, because I really don't need any more spare PSUs at present and I don't use the spare that often as it is. I might put it on ebay for a minimum price.