Does this annoy anyone else?

[The Crazed Child]

When your power supply is advertised as a 600W unit yet it only outputs 42 amps on the +12V rail, which technically makes it a 500W unit. This is what happened to me, I purchased a Silverstone Strider Plus ST60F-P 600W not knowing this. I'm pretty fucking annoyed right now, because it's basically no better than my old 550W Thermaltake unit except for the fact this one is 80+ Bronze rated. I pretty much have no headroom to upgrade if I wanted to.

 

Now, I know that it's advertised as a 600W because that's the combined wattage of the main rails, but look at Corsair's PSUs. They don't do this. Their RM-650 actually outputs 650W on the +12V rail. And there is plenty of other examples. Be Quiet advertises their PSUs based on their +12V rail output.

 

I actually thought I was getting a 600W unit when I bought this PSU, but I didn't. Do your research when buying PSUs and multiply the +12V rail amperage by 12. If the answer is what is advertised on the product page, you are getting what you pay for. Don't buy this PSU. Seriously.

[TheKDub]

Thats why you get high quality PSUs instead of cheap ones.

[alby800]

How would I figure this out for mine?

Nevermind, it is on the website, mine outputs 588 watts on the +12V

[The Crazed Child]

Thats why you get high quality PSUs instead of cheap ones.

I know at the time I was looking for something that was fully modular and 80+ Bronze rated. It doesn't even have all-Japanese caps, only the main ones are.

[Faceman]

Should have done more research?

 

I'm not sure what to say.. its very good that you bought a PSU that is at least bronze rated.  Also, a single CPU + GPU both overclocked doesn't require more than 375w.  I'm not sure what you mean by no room to upgrade?  If you wanted to add a 2nd GPU, 600W is too low to add a 2nd GPU, so.. not sure where you're coming from.  You made the right choice by buying a PSU that is Bronze Rated, that is a bare minimum these days.  600W or 42A on the 12v is plenty for a single CPU + GPU, both overclocked.

[The Crazed Child]

Should have done more research?

 

I'm not sure what to say.. its very good that you bought a PSU that is at least bronze rated.  Also, a single CPU + GPU both overclocked doesn't require more than 375w.  I'm not sure what you mean by no room to upgrade?  If you wanted to add a 2nd GPU, 600W is too low to add a 2nd GPU, so.. not sure where you're coming from.  You made the right choice by buying a PSU that is Bronze Rated, that is a bare minimum these days.  600W or 42A on the 12v is plenty for a single CPU + GPU, both overclocked.

I didn't do my research when I bought it, yeah. At least I know now.

 

I'm running a 280X and a Core i7 2600 which I plan to overclock to 4.2GHz once I get a decent cooler. Silverstone is a good brand most of the time though, I don't know whey they would do this.

[Faceman]

I didn't do my research when I bought it, yeah. At least I know now.

 

I'm running a 280X and a Core i7 2600 which I plan to overclock to 4.2GHz once I get a decent cooler. Silverstone is a good brand most of the time though, I don't know whey they would do this.

They are a good brand, and that is a good PSU.  I have no idea what you're complaining about, that PSU is more than enough for your system, you can make any upgrades you want except adding a 2nd GPU.

[The Crazed Child]

They are a good brand, and that is a good PSU.  I have no idea what you're complaining about, that PSU is more than enough for your system, you can make any upgrades you want except adding a 2nd GPU.

I know that 500 watts is enough, I just didn't get what I paid for. 

[Faceman]

I know that 500 watts is enough, I just didn't get what I paid for. 

You did, and you made a very smart purchase by getting a Bronze rated PSU.

[connorpiper]

Yey! Someone didn't shit talk the RM650!

[The Crazed Child]

You did, and you made a very smart purchase by getting a Bronze rated PSU.

I suppose, but Silverstone should at least edit their product page.

[quan289]

Personally, I'd never been in a situation where I have bought a unit with a lower +12v rating and got annoyed by it. 

 

Now, I know that it's advertised as a 600W because that's the combined wattage of the main rails, but look at Corsair's PSUs. They don't do this. Their RM-650 actually outputs 650W on the +12V rail. And there is plenty of other examples. Be Quiet advertises their PSUs based on their +12V rail output.

 

If you have a PSU that have the 3.3v/5v rails generated from the +12v output via DC-DC, the +12v rail are generally rated for their advertised wattage or rather Wattage / 12 rounded down (the Seasonic X 750w is rated for 62A on the +12v: 750/12=62.5 rounded down). This means that this PSU is design with the capability to output the entirety of its rated wattage on the +12v without having any loads on the 3.3v/5v. However, you can't do this on more basic, group-regulated PSUs, as you would be putting the PSU in a crossload situation. Because of this, the wattage rating has to take into account not just the +12v rail, but as well as the 3.3v/5v rail.

 

It's not too surprising to see the Silverstone ST60F-P +12v rating to be lower than the rated wattage. Although, it is a bit low for a 600w unit. It more closer to >~550w unit.