Enermax "Whisper" Series is a joke.

[SmirnoffIsTasty]

I just got my Zalman Noiseless 300W PS-ST300BLP installed in the system to replace the loud ass enermax. The Zalman is so much quieter.

 

[fkloster]

<< ...to replace the loud ass enermax. >>



Isn't that an oxymoron?

 

[chickendinner]

i cant even hear mine, so i dont know what you are talking about

 

[spanner]

My enermax is super quiet especially considering it is a 430watt power supply!!!

 

[ripthesystem]

does anyone know the life expectancy of a sleeve fan vs. a ball bearing fan? Just curious because the Zalman uses a sleeve fan with tons of heatsinks to run 'silent' and just wondering what the life difference would be between that and my Enermax whisper...

ripthesystem

 

[BlitzRommel]

<< My enermax is super quiet especially considering it is a 430watt power supply!!! >>



Same here. Before I threw in an 80mm Delta on my AthlonXP, I had a plain-jane case fan on there which was relatively quiet, churning out 45CFM. I couldn't hear my Enermax fans. The 92m and the 80mm are both very quiet.

 

[BlitzRommel]

<< does anyone know the life expectancy of a sleeve fan vs. a ball bearing fan? Just curious because the Zalman uses a sleeve fan with tons of heatsinks to run 'silent' and just wondering what the life difference would be between that and my Enermax whisper...

ripthesystem >>



In general, ball-bearing are more durable. They last longer, especially in high-heat environments, have a higher heat endurance level, and are quieter at high speeds. Well here, check out this link.

 

[JellyBaby]

<< My enermax is super quiet especially considering it is a 430watt power supply >>

FCA model with the fans dialed down to the low range. Vewwy Qwuiet.

 

[SmirnoffIsTasty]

Have you heard the Zalman for a comparison?

 

[ripthesystem]

thanks Blitz!
nice info there. So ummm... wouldn't a PSU be considered a dense electrical component that generates a fair amount of heat? If so (with that article in mind) wouldn't you choose a ball-bearing fan?

That said, although the db level may be non-exisistant.. the PSU lifespan might not be as long..

is that a fair statement?
or perhaps the power consuption regulation features of the Zalman, accompanied by the differetn circuitry, and the variable speed fan would make up for that difference and meet or beat the life expectancy of the Enermax...?

shots in the dark
ripthesystem

 

[SmirnoffIsTasty]

Rip, I think it's quieter because it's got more/larger heatsinks in it. And it has a near silent 80mm fan.

 

[MasterHoss]

Ah, noise is not an issue... whatever makes my computer happy... I sacrifice my ears for the sake of my computer being cool and running solid.

 

[powerMarkymark]

<< Ah, noise is not an issue... whatever makes my computer happy... I sacrifice my ears for the sake of my computer being cool and running solid. >>



I second that.

 

[Sundog]

Hmm.....I chalk it up to user error.LOL

 

[MazerRackham]

<< Ah, noise is not an issue... whatever makes my computer happy... I sacrifice my ears for the sake of my computer being cool and running solid. >>



True dat... true.

As long as you don't need to run a Delta 7K RPM fan or something worse, I think your system can't be THAT loud... you have to expect a device to generate some noise sometimes.

 

[soulm4tter]

i have an enermax 430w thats rather loud, so its sitting in my closet right now and i'm using my 300W Lite-On which is much quieter.

 

[MrDudeMan]

as long as you can still hear yourself think, then who really cares? was it at 25dba instead of 22dba? ooohhh big difference!

 

[McCarthy]

I don't pretend to understand people who aren't bothered by noise. It's a personal thing, for me noise is very annoying. But plaid isn't. Go figure.

The "joke" of it is Enermax advertises quiet power supplies, to the point they call them Whispers. I'm sorry, but my 365 isn't any quieter than other power supplies I've had and louder than most. I understand it has two fans the others just had 1, but if it's not quieter don't say it is. Not deafening. Just not quieter - and since that's the reason I bought the thing it's something of a letdown here as well.

Add in the 5v rail always running at 4.3x and I'm hard pressed to find a reason to buy another of this brand. Yup, it works, powering the computer as I type this, but then so do others.

--Mc

 

[shawnman]

I agree with what has been said here about Enermax - I dont think it is any quieter than any other PSU i've had. Have you heard a newer Dell? They are virtually silent.

What did you get your Zalman, I'm looking to replace my enermax..

 

[oldfart]

I just replace the stock fan with a Panaflow L1A and *poof* instant quiet power supply. Works every time.

 

[MrDudeMan]

yeah the panaflo L1A's are a perfect solution for noise, however

they seem to fit the bill perfectly for this


and yeah a 4.3x voltage on the aux 5 volt rail is not good....i guess the enermax series has been a let down afterall

 

[bbarnes]

I have a 530W Enermax, the voltages have always been perfect, and it is quiet. I didn't buy the whisper one (not sure if they make em in the 530s or not) but I can't hear it over anything else in my room...

 

[fatbaby]

<<

<< does anyone know the life expectancy of a sleeve fan vs. a ball bearing fan? Just curious because the Zalman uses a sleeve fan with tons of heatsinks to run 'silent' and just wondering what the life difference would be between that and my Enermax whisper...

ripthesystem >>



In general, ball-bearing are more durable. They last longer, especially in high-heat environments, have a higher heat endurance level, and are quieter at high speeds. Well here, check out this link. >>



I agree, but you don't really have to spend the extra $$ (if the ball bearings cost more than sleeve) for the ball bearing fans unless you plan on keeping your computer for at least 4 years

 

[amdskip]

but some speakers

 

[Huma]

I'm in. The enermax (whisper) I bought was way too loud. Much louder than my previous psu.

I ended up just putting a panaflo in my powerman psu and it was much much quieter than the enermax.