Test – Silverstone SX500-LG – Conseil Config : Specs | CPU | Hashrate | Review | Config

Health!

We are continuing the power supply tests with today a rather particular product from Silverstone, in fact the German brand offers several power supply formats ranging from SFX (like the excellent SX600-G tested here) to the classic ATX format. (in different lengths) through the SFX-L which is a longer format than the classic SFX. Today’s test power supply is a 500 Watt model, I named the SX500-LG! Bearing the 80Plus Gold label promising it an excellent performance and therefore a measured heat release and in SFX-L format it arrives in a segment which is really not very populated, let’s see what this little one has in the belly!

The front of the box is rather loaded with information, there is a photo of the power supply profile, the brand, model and logo of the 80Plus Gold certification, the power, the mention of semi-fanless operation as well as a list of the strong points of the small SX500-LG such as the silent 12cm fan, the SFX-L format etc.

On the back is a graph of the performance of the 80Plus Gold certification, a diagram of the rear of the power supply showing that it is completely modular, a graph showing the ventilation curve (the fan only starts at internal temperature of 41 °) as well as the same listing of the strong points as before.

On the sides we find all the technical information on the one hand, such as dimensions, weight, sound level and a power distribution table and on the other hand the number of connectors available.

When opening the box we find the manual, under the latter the power supply is in a bubble wrap bag surrounded by a piece of cardboard, the modular cables and the power cord are around it.

The bundle consists of:

• 1 x SX-500LG power supply
• 2 x manuals
• 1 x SFX-L adapter -> ATX
• 8 x fixing screws
• 1 x power cord
• Modular cables

As we can see the bundle is very satisfactory, especially at the level of the SFX-L -> ATX plate which will prove to be very practical if ever you want to install the power supply in a normal size box even if the interest of a such power will be reduced to nothing in this case.

Silverstone is sober here, on the side of the fan we are entitled to a grille with the brand’s logo in its center screwed to the carcass. The paint is matt black and of very good quality. The fan is a 12cm model and covers all of the available space. Below, as usual at Silverstone, the brand’s logo and the name are engraved directly into the metal.

On the side is the eternal label with the power distribution table, as well as a warning against opening the power supply for any unauthorized person and of course all the certification logos. The other side is empty with the serial number, the version of the block and the warranty sticker.

Behind the eternal honeycomb ventilation grid, everything is very well ventilated and should in no way obstruct the air flow. Note that unlike the SFX version Silverstone has added an On / Off switch here which may be practical.

As for the connectors, we can clearly see that the power supply is 100% modular, 1 24-pin connector, 1 8-pin processor connector, 2 connectors for IDE and Sata peripherals as well as the blue 8-pin / 6-pin PCIe connector.

The fan is a S1201512MW model from Globe fan, 12cm and 1.5cm thick, rotating at a maximum speed of 1800 RPM, consumption is 4.5 Watts.

Silverstone let Sirfa take care of the power itself, the interior is very well built and the capacitors are 100% Japanese which is a very good sign! Note that v1.0 is composed of a mixture of Japanese and Chinese capacitors (Teapo) while v1.1 is 100% Japanese!

Modular cables

The cables are really well designed for use in a very small box, out of the question here to install the LG SX-500 in an ATX box under penalty of not being able to connect anything, and this is not its first use!
The number of connectors is quite sufficient, 2 PCIe, 2 Molex as well as 4 Sata and of course the obligatory 24-pin and 8-pin CPU, it will be possible to connect a large configuration on the small one!

The LG Silverstone SX-500 is as I said an 80Plus Gold certified power supply, i.e. it will have a maximum efficiency of 92% at 50% load (European standards), which should greatly limit the heat to clear by the 12cm fan. One of the strengths of our small test power supply today is semi-passive operation, i.e. the fan will not run until the internal temperature reaches 41 ° (which should however happen). very quickly), once the fan is on, the maximum noise pollution would be 36dB according to Silverstone. All electrical protection is of course required on the LG SX-500!
The LG SX-500 is available for around $ 100, which puts it in the mid-range of 80Plus Gold certified power supplies, but the SFX-L format could make it a must-have for anyone looking to mount a mini PC in a narrow and SFX-L compatible box (like the future Silverstone FTZ01 for example).

The test platform

The Silverstone SX-500 LG power supply has been tested on the configuration below:

• Processor: Intel Core i7 875K @ 3,2 Ghz
• Motherboard: Asus P7P55D
• Memory: Kingston HyperX 4 x 2 Go 1600Mhz
• Hard disk: WD Raptor 150 Go
• Graphic card: Sapphire Toxic 5850

The test protocol

The core i7 875K has been slightly overclocked to 3.2Ghz. The readings in charge were taken during an OCCT Power Supply test, the readings at rest were taken after 15mins on the desk.

The power supply has been tested against:

• Antec Edge 650 (tested here)
• be quiet! E9 580CM (tested here)
• be quiet! L8 Pure Power 500 (tested here)
• be quiet! Straight Power 10 500 CM (tested here)
• Corsair CS450M (tested here)
• Seasonic S12 600 (de 2006)
• Seasonic G550 (tested here)
• Seasonic X650 (v1 de 2010)
• Seasonic X650 KM3 (tested here)
• Seasonic P660 (tested here)
• Seasonic Platinum 460FL (tested here)
• Silverstone NightJar 520 (tested here)
• Silverstone SFX SX600-G (tested here)
• Silverstone Strider Essential 600 (tested here)
• Silverstone Strider Plus 600 (tested here)
• Silverstone Strider S 1500 (tested here)
• Silverstone SX-600 G (tested here)
• XFX TS-550 Bronze (tested here)

The consumption

Before starting, let’s take a look at the performance of the power supplies compared to the Silverstone SX-500 LG, indeed the different 80Plus certifications will directly influence the consumption, so this will be a good way to have concrete results. Only the S12 600 does not have an 80Plus certification because it did not yet exist at the time of purchase (but the following versions of this power supply had the classic 80Plus certification, so 80% / 80% / 80% to 20% respectively / 50% / 100% load).

The contract is perfectly respected here, the Silverstone SX-500 LG does as well as all the other 80Plus Gold power supplies in the comparison with 78 Watts at rest for 349 Watts in load! The small size of the beast really doesn’t seem to be the slightest problem, and it really doesn’t have to be ashamed of the “big” ones in the test.
Note that consumption has been recorded to take for the complete configuration.

The tensions

The voltages are very stable here with a 3.3V which goes from 3.36V at rest to 3.34V under load, from 5.03V to 5.01V for 5V and 11.98V to 11.92V for 12V. One thing is certain the small SFX-L power supply from Silverstone has it in its belly and does not disappoint!
For the moment we can say that there is really nothing to worry about, the fact that it is one of the only power supplies of this format on the market does not fail to make the performances shine even more.

Noise pollution

Attention : Part to be taken with a grain of salt, unfortunately not having access to the appropriate equipment and using an android application to take the readings the measurements below are only indicative! The readings were taken 15cm from the feed.

Often problematic for “small” power supplies, noise pollution is generally linked to the amount of heat to be dissipated. Since the 80Plus certifications are on the market, the efficiency increases and therefore the heat to be dissipated is in free fall, which reduces the speed of rotation of the fans and therefore noise pollution. What about the LG SX-500? Well we must admit that it’s really good here, at rest the fan does not turn and no electrical noise is to be deplored so it is really inaudible, under load and with 33 dB it is clear that it is silent and will not disturb the person using the PC!
In addition, the fan reacts really well, no engine noise or clicking to note, it is very pleasant to the ear.

Here we are at the end of this test, what about the Silverstone SX-500 LG?
To begin with, the build quality is really very good, the paintwork and the chassis are of very good quality. Silverstone has equipped its SFX-L format power supply with all the latest technology and features, the 80Plus Gold certification ensures very good performance and therefore very low power consumption at the socket, total modularity allows only the necessary cables to be connected and the semi-fanless mode allows passive operation at rest. In addition to all this the voltages are stable and the charging power is really silent!
To avoid spoiling the recommended price of around 100 € is not excessive when you see what the competition offers, it will be really perfect as long as the box has a location for a power supply of this format, the future power supply. of your mini-ITX gamer config?

A big thank you to Marie from Silverstone who allowed me to do this test.

Where to find the LG Silverstone SX-500?

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