Silverstone SX500-LG 500W Gold SFX-L

clockdogg said:
Was keen to get one of these for a silent-as-possible SFF build. Still am. Sort of.

Why is it so hard to add a few extra dollars to the BOM and put a decent fan with a decent profile in a power supply?

Would I pay $20-30 extra for a small, efficient and quiet supply with a Noctua in it? Why yes, I would!

Or even better, a modular power supply with modular fans. We spend hours tweaking our choice of case fans, but have zero choice when it comes to power supplies. These PS companies are missing some great co-branding/differentiation opportunities....
Click to expand...

FWIW, I couldn't be happier with my SX500-LG. I'm using a H100i in a push configuration (blowing the radiator heat outside the case) and the only time the PSU fan turns on is when my GPU heats up. The H100i does an exceptional job of keeping the PSU in silent fanless mode otherwise.

I also don't have any noise issues when the fan does start running. I feel like I'm in the minority here after reading these posts, but there is some hope for you.

Oh I should also add that I replaced the H100i stock fans with Noctuas because they were the loudest thing in my setup. Now my GPU blower is, but overall it's quiet enough for me.
 
I got my SX500-LG installed today in my SG05. Overall I'm mostly okay with it. I can hear the galloping sound from about three feet away when the room is quiet, but I'm hoping that it is something I'll get used to. I just now heard it tonight when I went looking for the sound. Playing games of course you can't hear it at all, and this PSU is much quieter then the 300-watt SFX that was previously in the rig.
 
2 feet away is "from a distance", 3 feet is a very reasonable distance that many will have their desktop PC in reference to their head. I don't know how one can consider that close-up. That's meant for less than 1 feet or 30cm away. That's not a normal sitting position so it's only relevant for the stats, not for the reality.

To me, silent is what I have with my current setup when I power it on: it doesn't make any noticeable noise when I power it on, only after being powered on a while, the fans start to slightly ramp up to a point I can hear them. But there is a difference between "able to hear" and "obnoxious to hear".
 
Voted, thanks for making the poll.

Has anyone looked at finding a different slim fan to go in there? I found some specs via another forum / review:

Manufacturer Globe Fan
Model S1201512MW
Bearing Type Plain bearings
Rated voltage 12 V
Start voltage
6 V
Current 0.35 A
Size 120 mm
Speed ​​(Max)
1800 r / min
Throughput
61 CFM
Volume
32.3 dBA

From: http://www.hartware.de/review_1783_6.html. The review is for the Chieftech SX500 which I thought was identical to the Silverstone SX500.

My concern is how low the start voltage is on the Globe Fan based on the testing posted earlier. I've seen some fans that start that low and some that don't want to kick in until 5-6 VDC. I guess if this fan is rated to start at 6V then we might be able to gloss over that... ;)
 
Silverstonetek.com/product.php?scase=&pid=499&area=en

120mmx15mm
32cfm
1.52mmH20
23dBa
Start voltage 5v
 
phillyboy said:
Voted, thanks for making the poll.

Has anyone looked at finding a different slim fan to go in there? I found some specs via another forum / review:

Manufacturer Globe Fan
Model S1201512MW
Bearing Type Plain bearings
Rated voltage 12 V
Start voltage
6 V
Current 0.35 A
Size 120 mm
Speed ​​(Max)
1800 r / min
Throughput
61 CFM
Volume
32.3 dBA

From: http://www.hartware.de/review_1783_6.html. The review is for the Chieftech SX500 which I thought was identical to the Silverstone SX500.

My concern is how low the start voltage is on the Globe Fan based on the testing posted earlier. I've seen some fans that start that low and some that don't want to kick in until 5-6 VDC. I guess if this fan is rated to start at 6V then we might be able to gloss over that... ;)
Click to expand...

The fans aren't identical between the chieftec and the silverstone unit. The motor may be the same but I don't know but the fan blades are definetly different. The Silverstone ones are semi transparent, have more blades and the blades are a different shape.
 
Don't forget the huge hub on the Globefan that's basically wasted efficiency.

This PSU seems to have the exact same issue as the SX600-G: the linear voltage ramp is causing unexpected noises below a certain voltage. Most likely because most fans are made to work between 7-12V or use PWM for their modulation.

If they just made the voltage stay at 6V (not lower, not off) and ramp up from there, they could have made a truly quiet SFX PSU. I know that there are voltage step-up modules that will take a low voltage like 2-3V and transform them to 5V constantly, I use one in an R/C car with Li-ion batteries to stabilize the voltage to 5V regardless of battery power. So I guess it won't be impossible to have it do the same for 6V. But I don't know what can be done if the voltage goes over 6V. I'm not that well-knowledged about electronics.
 
hm a few pages back it seemed that the consensus was that everyone's fan had a galloping sound but no one was really bothered by it...
 
What is actually causing the 'galloping' or clicking noises? Shouldn't that only happen if something was physically interfering with the fan? Such as a cable hitting it.

This is very disappointing. Not all that surprised really, considering the SX 600G..

And to think they delayed it all that time to 'fine tune' it's quietness. I was ready to buy one today actually but I don't really need one right now. I'll just stick with an ATX size PSU.

If I could disable the fan (without opening the case) I would stick a fan on top of the grill and a smaller one as exhaust for the PSU. Both controlled through a fan controller.
 
^
Forgot about that point. Didn't Tony say they delayed release to make sure it was going to be quiet?

I want one too, but I'll wait until people start reporting that they're getting a higher revision than 1.0.
 
i don't know if i got really lucky with mine or if we're just too picky about these things :p
 
flod said:
i don't know if i got really lucky with mine or if we're just too picky about these things :p
Click to expand...

It may be that the galloping only happens at certain range of temp/load conditions. For me the galloping almost never happen now.
 
It would be great if it was possible to order just the new SFX-L mounting bracket that comes with the rev 3, since I have a SFX-L :). I love my Ncase and feel a second one just for a sufficient mounting bracket is a tad redundant.


Long time reader. Ncase owner. First time poster. Also; king of the andals and the first men.
 
NCASE did originally have a few extras, but they sold out. Also note I don't really know if you'd consider it a "SFX-L" bracket; SFX-L PSUs still barely fit, it just gives you a couple extra millimeters so there is slightly less pressure on your video card.

Have you heard about user Aibohphobia's SFX-L bracket? If not take the poll!
 
goodbyegalaxy said:
NCASE did originally have a few extras, but they sold out. Also note I don't really know if you'd consider it a "SFX-L" bracket; SFX-L PSUs still barely fit, it just gives you a couple extra millimeters so there is slightly less pressure on your video card.

Have you heard about user Aibohphobia's SFX-L bracket? If not take the poll!
Click to expand...

I know that it wont move mountains, but 3 mm is all i need! I looked for a angled connector, which would be pretty ideal but couldnt find any... I've ordered some 24,8,6-pin PSU connectors to try and cut away about 5mm of the plastic and then re-attach the pins. Another thing that could be done would be to shave of 3-4mm of the top and then drill new holes on the current bracket. Some sleeved cables and a shorter connector would resolve the issue also. Anyway, a big thanks for the Aibohphobia thread it is by far the best soulution ive seen so far! :)
 
IIRC there was a site selling custom cables with shorter connectors for the SX600-G. Anyone know where those were, and if they're compatible with the SX500-LG?
 
wovie said:
IIRC there was a site selling custom cables with shorter connectors for the SX600-G. Anyone know where those were, and if they're compatible with the SX500-LG?
Click to expand...

Are you thinking about the PP05-E short cable kit? It could be used with the ST45SF-G, but I believe both the SX600-G and the SX500-LG already come with similar cables.
 
wovie said:
IIRC there was a site selling custom cables with shorter connectors for the SX600-G. Anyone know where those were, and if they're compatible with the SX500-LG?
Click to expand...

goodbyegalaxy said:
Are you thinking about the PP05-E short cable kit? It could be used with the ST45SF-G, but I believe both the SX600-G and the SX500-LG already come with similar cables.
Click to expand...

The Silverstone PP05-E is the same flat ribbon style as the the kits included with the SX600-G and SX500-LG, only shorter (see length comparison here) and *should* be compatible between all of their modular SFX PSUs afaik. I highly recommend it (5-thumbs up :p).

You can buy the PP05-E set from Amazon for $30 (LINK).
 
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
I recorded noise from my SX500-LG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qguAlvb6JMA

This SX500-LG galloping sound is really not that bad, H220 pump is definitely more annoying. I usually can barely hear it from my sitting position (~3 feet). But sound is definitely noticeable and I haven't heard sound like this from fan before.

There is not GPU in the system and the load was only 3-4 hours of light 2D gaming. Once started spinning after an hour of usage it just never stops, even in idle... So much for fanless.

I wonder if putting PSU with fan facing inside will make things better, since it would be blown by side bracket fan.
 
Yeah, it's not loud, just very noticeable when the rest of my rig is so quiet. With two noctua fans, a GTX 970 that idles with the fans off, and only having SSDs means this little box only has one standout point and unfortunately it is the PSU fan.

If there is any other background noise then you can't hear the fan at all. Just on those quiet nights in the man cave... :). Probably doesn't help that it is hardwood flooring in the room either.
 
Last edited:
yolostrats said:
What is actually causing the 'galloping' or clicking noises? Shouldn't that only happen if something was physically interfering with the fan? Such as a cable hitting it.

This is very disappointing. Not all that surprised really, considering the SX 600G..

And to think they delayed it all that time to 'fine tune' it's quietness. I was ready to buy one today actually but I don't really need one right now. I'll just stick with an ATX size PSU.
Click to expand...

The galloping is probably just a side effect from running at low voltage.

To be fair, in a typical office environment the SX500-LG is very quiet.

I think the only way to really address the strange fan noises would be to use a more sophisticated fan controller that jumps from 0V to 5V or whatever at the appropriate temperature to avoid the oddities that happen right at the starting voltage.

But that would increase cost and from what Tony has hinted at the higher-ups at SilverStone don't feel that SFX-L is worth spending the extra money on. But hopefully as the market for SFF grows that will change.
 
although the noise on mine is completely tolerable, i'm going to take it apart and see how effective using a side intake fan would be for cooling it. i guess i'll remove the slim fan and connect the header to a multimeter and see what voltage the psu wants to drive the fan at; that should give some indication of the temperature
 
Leksys said:
I recorded noise from my SX500-LG:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qguAlvb6JMA

This SX500-LG galloping sound is really not that bad, H220 pump is definitely more annoying. I usually can barely hear it from my sitting position (~3 feet). But sound is definitely noticeable and I haven't heard sound like this from fan before.

There is not GPU in the system and the load was only 3-4 hours of light 2D gaming. Once started spinning after an hour of usage it just never stops, even in idle... So much for fanless.

I wonder if putting PSU with fan facing inside will make things better, since it would be blown by side bracket fan.
Click to expand...

Maybe I'm too sensitive, but that would drive me loopy in my quiet space at night. Sounds like a mutant alien gallop code transmission. ;-) What was the chirp at 16 sec? The alien return code?

It sounds like this fan doesn't play nice when undervolted...bummer.
 
flod said:
although the noise on mine is completely tolerable, i'm going to take it apart and see how effective using a side intake fan would be for cooling it. i guess i'll remove the slim fan and connect the header to a multimeter and see what voltage the psu wants to drive the fan at; that should give some indication of the temperature
Click to expand...

Voiding the warranty for the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Thank you, flod!

And Silverstone, in case you're following this thread, I would pay another $20-30 more if you could ship this unit with a silent, non-clicky, de-wobbled fan.
 
flod said:
although the noise on mine is completely tolerable, i'm going to take it apart and see how effective using a side intake fan would be for cooling it. i guess i'll remove the slim fan and connect the header to a multimeter and see what voltage the psu wants to drive the fan at; that should give some indication of the temperature
Click to expand...
dam so a ap-14 at full speed on the radiator bracket in my m1 isn't enough to cool the psu down.

it hasn't gone into the overtemp protection thing yet but my multimeter reads 12v
 
flod said:
dam so a ap-14 at full speed on the radiator bracket in my m1 isn't enough to cool the psu down.

it hasn't gone into the overtemp protection thing yet but my multimeter reads 12v
Click to expand...

If you disconnect the fan there will be no load on the circuit and it may just go to 12v.

Does the PSU detect the fan speed, if so it will detect 0 rpm and increase the voltage until it starts.
 
Padraig said:
If you disconnect the fan there will be no load on the circuit and it may just go to 12v.

Does the PSU detect the fan speed, if so it will detect 0 rpm and increase the voltage until it starts.
Click to expand...

There are only two wires to the fan. It doesn't detect fan speed, there is just a simple circuit to translate the resistance from the thermistor into a voltage for the fan.

Therefore, if it's reading 12V, then the heatsink the thermistor is connected to must be very hot.
 
yea

k i dont understand this shit. i taped a ap-14@full speed directly onto the psu, and it's still hitting 12v when running x264. hwinfo shows my cpu as using <50W. there's no way this isn't enough airflow

i guess i'll need to access the thermistor or whatever directly in order to get a sense of how the temperatures in there
 
anyway here's my ghetto solution for anyone who's not happy with the fan: http://imgur.com/LbmNR0W

the slim fan is pretty easy to remove. just use tweezers to rip off the glue and cut the ziptie
 
WiSK said:
There are only two wires to the fan. It doesn't detect fan speed, there is just a simple circuit to translate the resistance from the thermistor into a voltage for the fan.

Therefore, if it's reading 12V, then the heatsink the thermistor is connected to must be very hot.
Click to expand...

It's simpler than I thought, but he may need to load the circuit either with the fan or an equivalent load.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the investigation. Later in the week I might swap the fan out with the slim one that came with my GeminII cooler and see if that one has the same issue. Looks to be the same fan but a slightly lower top speed based on the curve shown earlier. I found a few on FrozenCPU that might be worth trying as well.
 
For simple resistive loads, V = IR

If there's no current (or very little in the case of a volt meter) flowing across the thermistor, the voltage drop across it would be very low. I would hook the fan up as a load but put it outside the case so it doesn't affect the temps.
 
Just picked up the 500w sfx-l myself. After changing the fan to some 80mm delta fan in my 450w gold sfx it was better, but still as loud if not louder than my ek vardar f5 fan with v reducer on a ph-tc12ls cooler. The 500w is a huge improvement very quiet for me. I do hear a slight ticking sound, this is with my ear against the grill so under normal conditions is in audible also the noise went away maybe once the fans rpm went up. Also my fan looks a little wobbly as well. I also use a 40mm or 60mm noctura fan in the 450w exhaust grill that I've transferred over to the 500w. It just sits on top, and keeps a little extra airflow at lower rpm to keep quiet it helps keep it in fanless mode a lil longer it isn't needed though. The fanless mode does work for me though it has turned on, and off but I can't hear it. I put a demci filter on the ncase side panel instead, and the filter definitely cuts some of the airflow down making the fan spin more. Definitely don't regret my purchase so far, but would have spent a little more for that extra quality that silverstone didn't think I wanted.
 
Talon720 said:
Definitely don't regret my purchase so far, but would have spent a little more for that extra quality that silverstone didn't think I wanted.
Click to expand...

This makes me believe there's a market for someone to buy up all these SFX power supplies and fit them with better fans and a reasonable fan controller/profile :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top