Tests
This machine normally runs with a Antec NeoHe 550W so it was the logical choice to get baseline numbers for vs. the Silencer 610. Its a few (60W) less than the Silencer, and a bit cheaper so we have to take that into account when we make the comparison overall. The main point of running these tests its to compare fluctuation between each power supply on each rail, and of course accurate rail wattage between the two. On to the tests.


Stock system performance sees the Antec performing very well giving us reasonably solid numbers. They aren't quite on the dot and there is slight fluctuation but it's not quite perfect. Either way a system should hold up well running with these numbers. We see a fluctuation of .04V on the 12V rail, .01V on the 3.3V rail, and a change of .03 on the 5 volt.


As we OC our testbed we find that the numbers dip slightly and the fluctuation increase a bit more also. It's not at disaster-for-your-PC level yet but its something to keep in mind. When OC'd we see a .05V fluctuation which is a bit higher then at stock, and oddly enough, the change in fluctuation increases by .01 in each rail when overclocked. When this exact power supply was reviewed last year it was on a totally different system so we want to remind you that comparing its numbers now to then aren't really valid. The NeoHe performs admirably and is well within spec for performance.

Silencer 610 EPS12V

On to the Silencer. If price and quality of components has anything to say about our tests should show the PC Power unit on top when it comes to performance. But we know that cost and word of mouth tales don't always live up to the hype, and that folks is why we do the tests. The load placed on the Silencer is a lower percentage of the total output than it is on the NeoHe. But with neither PSU being stressed to its max we shouldn't be hitting any performance limits on either unit.


A mere .02V differentiate the Silencer 610 between idle and full load. To quote my favorite movie, "impressive, most impressive". The numbers continue to hold up on the other rails and we begin to see why PCP&C is regarded so highly, these readings are more stable then a burger flipping job at McDonald's. On top of that the rail's actual voltage is closer to specification then the Antec 550W.


We move on to OC'ing the rig with the Silencer 610. Pushing our CPU to 3.6GHz to try to get some sort of variance on this power supply. However yet again the Silencer comes through like Jordan in the post season and again puts up rock stable numbers and a "game winning" performance. The rail voltages show no more than a .02 difference again and all three rails show nearly the same stability they did when running at stock. It seems PC Power & Cooling has another winner on their hands here.

The main point we need to make again after doing these tests is the fact that we are not fully stressing either power supply. As we saw with Thomas' review of the 750W when pushed with more demanding components the discrepancy between a Silencer and our other NeoHe was even further. Thus either way you cut it it seems the Silencer series comes out on top of Antec's NeoHe and at the same times gives stability that we have seen in hardly any power supplies.