Verdict: Hot stuff, but not good stuff

Apart from the label, the 520W SilenX is externally identical to the 600W model, which failed to deliver anywhere near its claimed 600W.

This model has also just one 12V rail, rated at 28A, while the 3.3V rail is rated at 32A and the 5V rail at 36A. Connectors are provided for 20- and 24-pin motherboards, while the 8-pin EPS12V connector means it's also compatible with dual-core CPU and dual-CPU motherboards. Eight Molex, two FDD and two S-ATA connectors are also supplied. The inner workings are cooled by a temperature-controlled 80mm fan.

This SilenX passed the 50 and 75 per cent load tests without any problems, but when we tried to draw the combined maximum load, a claimed 260W, from the 3.3V and 5V rails together, the PSU shut down immediately. At least it can output the claimed 28A on the 12V rail while maintaining a stable output. However, just like its 600W sibling, this SilenX gets very hot. At 100 per cent load, the external case temperature reached 70ûC, so it will conduct a huge quantity of heat into your PC.

Although this SilenX PSU is extremely quiet, it can't produce its claimed maximum power and gets ludicrously hot - not a good combination for a high-end PC. Considering that there are cooler, more stable and more powerful PSUs available for less, this PSU isn't a good option.

• Cases - 21st November 2008
• Motherboards - 24th October 2008
• Gaming Headsets - 26th September 2008
• Dream PCs - 24th September 2008
• Headphones - 12th September 2008
• Media PC components - 22nd August 2008
• PSUs - 14th July 2008

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