Performance (40% of the final score) - the Coolermaster Silent Pro M 600W set out to kung fu its way to victory today, and for the most part did exactly that. It regulated exceptionally well for a group design, maintained some nice efficiency numbers, held up to 43 degree ambient temperatures, and kept the ripple way way down there with the best I've seen. The only time I really found a lot to complain about was in the overshoot transient testing, where the unit exhibited less than spectacular results, but even then it was in spec so I can't come down on it too hard. 9.
Functionality (20% of the final score) - flat black modular cables are good. You can take off the ones you don't need and it's easier to route them in your case. It's also nice that this unit had the sleeving on the hardwired cables go right up inside the case. And I like the way they threw in not one but two of those silencing grommet things. The fan was nice too - couldn't hear it at any time. I can't really think of anything to complain about, so I guess I'll have to fork out a 10.
Value (30% of the final score) - Provantage is offering this right now for $103.07. That's... uh... not quite what I was hoping to see on this unit, frankly. Think of it this way... you have a 600W modular unit for a hunnert smackers out there competing with the Corsair HX620, which is barely $15 more money. Think about that... 40A @ 12V for this one, 50A for that one. Group regulated here, indy regulated there. Sure, this unit is targeted at the silent crowd, but is it really going to be quieter than the Corsair? I have to wonder. 7.
Aesthetics (10% of the final score) - I love me my matte black. Coolermaster has it going on here, from the sleek appearance of the unit to the box it comes in. 10.
| Performance | 9 |
| Functionality | 10 |
| Value | 7 |
| Aesthetics | 10 |
Total Score
| 9
Summary
Coolermaster has something here in the Silent Pro M 600W. What they have is a nice, well performing, efficient power supply that doesn't make a lot of noise. As most other units I've looked at there are some drawbacks like the cheap group regulated design and the not so stellar performance in the overshoot transient testing, but things like the above average regulation for a group design and the awesome ripple suppression goes a long way. Would I buy one of these? Yes I would. The Good:
- very good regulation for a non-indy unit
- efficient
- looks good
- flat black modular cables
- sleeving goes all the way into the case
|
