Fanless PSUs

[NeilT]

Hey all,

I'm just wondering if anyone has a fanless psu? What are they like. Do they increase case temperatures by a huge amount? I'm thinking about the Thermaltake purepower 350 for my HTPC.

I'm thinking of adding it to my Silverstone lc-17 case along with a new core 2 duo though I'm not sure which one though.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Shadowknight]

I haven't used mine in a normal atx case in forever; I've been using a P180 for awhile now. But I didn't seem to have any issues in my old case with a Phantom 350w that caused an increase in temps. My original Phantom died, but that's because it was from the original "Bad batch." the current one's been going strong for over a year now. I would recommend going with a silverstone over a Thermaltake, if you want to go passive though. Alternatively, if you're really nervous, just get a Seasonic; it's the quietest fanned PSU maker out there.

 

[dBTelos]

My advise is if you get one, get a good one. Kind of like modular cables, if you get a bad PSU with modular cables it will suck terribly, if you get a good PSU with modular cables, it will work great. An Antec Phantom or this: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-ST30nf.htm
should do well.

 

[Howard]

I don't like them because they won't last as long as a fanned PSU (by necessity). If you do use one, make sure you have plenty of intake flow.

 

[VinDSL]

Heh! I'm with Howard!

They didn't come up with 'mega-hurts' and 'killer-watts' by accident... :laugh:

 

[Zap]

I have an Antec Phantom and in the one system I ran it in, case temps got pretty high and the temp-controlled blowhole fan would totally ramp up in speed. Ended up swapping it with a Seasonic S12 and it runs cooler and quieter. Go figure.

Oh yeah, I got this Phantom from a friend. They used a lot of them where he worked, and ended up replacing all of them because quite a few died from heat.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Zap, the 500W Phantom does have a low speed 80mm fan inside...does it not?


OP, for fanless there is just one worth a hoot, the 300W from Silverstone, it's built by Etasis and it's good gear.



...Galvanized

 

[Zap]

Mine is the 350W Phantom. The 500W Phantom does indeed have a low speed 80mm fan that shuts off if not needed, thus it is pseudo-passive.

 

[NeilT]

Thanks guys for the help. In the end I've gone for a Seasonic S12 as it seemed like a good compromise between noise and reliability.

 

[VinDSL]

Originally posted by: NeilT
In the end I've gone for a Seasonic S12 as it seemed like a good compromise between noise and reliability.

Good choice! And, your comment applies to all Seasonic PSUs...

Our Mission Statement

• Noise
• Reliability
• Compromise

😉 j/k