SilverStone Decathlon SST-DA750 750W PSU review

SilverStone has a new lineup of power supplies for enthusiast users, the Decathlon series. Currently, this series features two models: a 750W and a 1200W power supply. The Decathlon series power supplies have only one +12V rail, but it's very powerful. Many other power supplies feature two or four +12V power rails with on average 20A per rail, but the SilverStone Decathlon SST-DA750 750W power supply I'll be looking at in this review has one badass 60A +12V rail while the 1200W model features 90A. One of the advantages of this is that you don't need to worry about overloading a single rail.

The new SilverStone Olympia series also features this single-rail approach but what separates the Decathlons is the 100% modular cables system. This allows you to only connect the cables that you really need to reduce cable clutter and to improve the air flow in your case. Another nice feature is the high efficiency rating of over 80%.



Lets take a look at all the special features as listed on SilverStone's website:
  • Class-leading single +12V rail with 60A!
  • 100% modular cables for maximum flexibility
  • Max output up to 750W even at 50°C operation temperature
  • Low resistance of capacitors, very low and stable ripple noise at high operating temperatures
  • Four PCI-E 6-pin connectors support NVIDIA SLI / ATi Crossfire
  • New PCI-E 8-pin connector for support of upcoming ATI R600 series
  • Over 80% Efficiency at 50%~100% Loading
And here's a more detailed look at the specifications of the SilverStone Decathlon 750W PSU:

Max. DC Output 750W
Load Range
 
+3.3V
+5V
+12V
+5VSB
-12V
-5V
Max.(Amps)
28A
30A
60A
4.0A
0.5A
/
Peak (Amps)
/
/
/
/
/
/
Min.(Amps)
0A
1A
3A
0.1A
0A
/
Range(%)
+/-3
+/-3
+/-3
+/-5
+/-10
/
Line Reg.(%)
±1%
±1%
±1%
±1%
/
/

Ripple
(mVp-p)

50mV
50mV
120mV
50mV
120mV
/
combined+3.3 , +5V 180W
combined +12V 720W/ 60A

Input Voltage 90V ~ 264V ( Auto Range )
Input Frequency Range 47Hz ~ 63Hz
PFC Active PFC (PF>0.99 at full load)
Efficiency >80%
MTBF 100,000 hours at 25°C, full load
Operating temperature 0 ~ 50°C
Protection Over current protection, Over power protection, Over voltage protection, Short circuit protection

Connectors 1 x 24/20-pin motherboard connector ( 550mm )
1 x 8-pin EPS12V connector ( 550mm )
1 x 4-pin ATX12V connector ( 550mm )
1 x 8-pin PCI-E connector ( 550mm )
2 x dual 6-pin PCI-E connector ( 550mm )
2 x triple SATA power connectors ( 500mm + 250mm + 250mm )
2 x triple 4-pin IDE & single floppy power connectors
( 500mm + 250mm + 250mm + 150mm )

Color black (lead-free paint)
Cooling System Single 120mm ball bearing fan
Noise Level 22 dBA minimum
Weight 2.6 kg
Dimension 150 mm (W) x 86 mm (H) x 150 mm (D)



Is 750W overkill?
The answer to that question depends on what you want to do with your PC. If it's just for doing some office work you'll be fine with even a 350W power supply but if you're a gamer with plans to build a uber high-end overclocked quad-core system with a CrossFire R600 setup it may not even be powerful enough. It's kinda sick but the fastest ATI R600 based graphics cards will have a max power consumption of 240W or even 270W for the 12.4" model. For most people, 750W will be overkill, but this 750W PSU and even his 1200W brother certainly have their uses for a small number of people.



The DA750 PSU arrived well-packed in this nicely designed box. When I opened the box I first found a short manual with even more details and specifications about this power supply, under a cardboard I then found the power supply, a pouch for storing unused cables, and a power cable. Inside the power cable bag, I also found a smaller plastic bag with two black zip ties and four black screws.





The DA750 ships with a pouch, you can use this to keep all your unused cables nicely together. This is pretty nice from SilverStone, now I can keep those cables all together instead of just stuffing them somewhere randomly between my stock of old/unused hardware and accessories ;-)

Added: March 20th 2007
Product reviewed: SilverStone Decathlon SST-DA750 750W PSU
Reviewer: Thomas De Maesschalck
Score: 8/10
Page: 1/4



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About the Author

Thomas De Maesschalck

Thomas has been messing with computer since early childhood and firmly believes the Internet is the best thing since sliced bread. Enjoys playing with new tech, is fascinated by science, and passionate about financial markets. When not behind a computer, he can be found with running shoes on or lifting heavy weights in the weight room.



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