INTRODUCTION

   The power supply unit is without doubt one of the most important hardware components for gamers, enthusiasts and professionals so it doesn’t' come as a surprise that in the market currently one can even find ATX form factor models with outputs of up to 2000W and a plethora of power connectors. Not everyone however is building a gaming or a high/ultra-high end rig, some people are actually into small desktop systems housed inside HTPC cases and to them size comes well before output and available connectors. For such use almost two decades ago the industry (more specifically Intel) released the SFX form factor (followed by several revisions) and the rest as they say is history. SilverStone just recently updated their growing SFX line of power supply units with the SST-ST45SF V3.0 model and as usual we decided to take a closer look.

   Founded in 2003, SilverStone is an established leader in its field, with an elite team of engineers; we started our quest of providing products that create inspirations. We have since expanded the lines of products as well as types of products we produce, giving our customers a wide selection of choices. With distribution centers in different areas of the globe, SilverStone products can be seen all over the world, not just for computer users but also for home entertainment use. Providing leisure with integration of advanced technologies that is functional and making them enjoyable to use. Here at SilverStone Technology, we continue to pride ourselves in providing the highest level of standards in designing and manufacturing computer enclosures, power supplies, and accessories. Our pursuit for the first class aesthetic appeal is relentless; our teams of devoted engineers are constantly searching for the best technologies that suit end-users with different needs and will make our products as technologically sound as they are beautiful.

   The SST-ST45SF v3.0 is a SFX form factor 80 plus bronze certified (82%+ electrical efficiency) power supply unit that features a single +12V rail (37.5A), 92mm "silent" intake fan and a total output of 450W (578.6W peak). Of course as expected really because of its rather low output unlike its larger cousin the SST-SX600-G (600W max/690W peak) the SST-ST45SF is not modular so all of its available power connectors are hardwired into the main unit. Along with the main 20/24 pin power connector the SST-ST45SF also features an 8/4 pin EPS connector, 8/6 pin PCIe connector, three SATA connectors, two 4 pin Molex connectors and a 4 pin Floppy connector. The SST-ST45SF v3.0 has a reported MTBF of 100.000 hours and also features several electrical protections including OCP (over-current protection), OVP (over-voltage protection), SCP (short-circuit protection), OPP (over-power protection) and UVP (under-voltage protection).