Anyone familiar with SilentMax LC-B400 PSU?

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Doc

Just got this computer with this unit in it, anyone familiar with it? I
can't find a single reference to it anywhere. I find several LC-B400 models
with different brands - VPower LC-B400, L & C Technology LC-B400, MGE
LC-B400, Raptor LC-B400, but no SilentMax. Possibly all the same unit,
relabeled?

I'm going to replace it with a PCP&C Silencer anyway, but just curious.
 
Doc said:
Just got this computer with this unit in it, anyone familiar with it? I
can't find a single reference to it anywhere. I find several LC-B400 models
with different brands - VPower LC-B400, L & C Technology LC-B400, MGE
LC-B400, Raptor LC-B400, but no SilentMax. Possibly all the same unit,
relabeled?

I'm going to replace it with a PCP&C Silencer anyway, but just curious.
Click to expand...

You can usually find the true manufacturer of a PSU from the UL safety
certification number printed under the funny "RU" symbol ("R" is
backward) if you visit www.ul.com and check their online certification
directory. If the PSU has a CSA safety registration, you can check its
number at www.csa.ca.

I hate to tell you, but the "LC" at the start of the model numbers
indicates that the manufacturer was Deer, AKA L&C, Codegen, Logic,
Eagle, Allied, Hyena, US-Can, PowerUp, and several other brands.
www.jonnyguru.com found that a 500W Deer couldn't put out even 300W,
although it simply shut down when overloaded and didn't suffer damage
the way several 500W Powmaxes in a row did.

You don't need to spend anything close to the price of a PC Power &
Cooling PSU to get first-rate quality. Here are some other first-rate
makes:

Fortron-Source: AKA Sparkle, PowerQ, Hi-Q, Trend, Powertech, and about
anything whose model number starts with FSP. Very conservatively rated
- JonnyGuru and Tom's managed to get over 450W from 350W models. Also
unusually cheap, like $40-50 for 400-450W.

Enlight: the newest are by Delta, the biggest PSU maker in the world
and producer of some of the best. However check the UL certification
number because other Enlights have been made by Sirtec (not so good) or
Enhance (excellent). The Deltas I've seen had Japanese capacitors.

Seasonic: some PCP&C models are based on Seasonics (others by Win-Tact
or Zippy-Emacs), and Seasonic power ratings are specified at 50C, not
the usual 25C, meaning the ratings are very conservative. Also I
believe Seasonic uses Japanese capacitors Antec's NeoHE series are
made by Seasonic (look for verson A3 or later).

Antec: TruePowers are very good, SmartPowers are pretty good, and
apparently units made since July were made with Japanese capacitors,
not the usual Fuhjyyus.

Xclio: Same as TruePower and SmartPower.
 
Just got this computer with this unit in it, anyone familiar with it? I
can't find a single reference to it anywhere. I find several LC-B400 models
with different brands - VPower LC-B400, L & C Technology LC-B400, MGE
LC-B400, Raptor LC-B400, but no SilentMax. Possibly all the same unit,
relabeled?
Click to expand...

I purchased a SilentMaxx PSU from Quiet PC USA about a year ago. The problem I
had was heat. I returned the $300.00 PSU for a refund. It was sure quiet, but
nearly fried my system.

Quiet PC USA is one of the American distributors for SilentMaxx PSUs (made in
Europe). Apparently they have a new water-cooled version of the SilentMaxx now.

http://www.quietpcusa.com/

I purchased a Vantec Stealth VAN-520A 520-Watt PSU instead, which has worked
well, except for the outlet on the back of the unit which is for plugging in
ancillary stuff like a monitor that powers on/off when the PC is turned on/off.
It worked properly at first, but after about 8 months it failed and no longer
powered up and down with the PC power switch. The outlet just went dead.

At this point I've resigned myself to the fact that the more CPU power you have,
the noisier your PC is going to be (due to the extra fans needed for cooling).
seems to me that they just can't make a proc that runs faster than 4Ghz due to
heat limitations. And dual core is worthless unless your apps are
multi-threaded. So my current 3.6Ghz P4 is going to last me a while. When they
do come out with a faster proc, I'll probably go with a liquid-cooling solution
(CPU and case), but not necessarily a SilentMaxx PSU.
 
At this point I've resigned myself to the fact that the more CPU power you have,
the noisier your PC is going to be (due to the extra fans needed for cooling).
seems to me that they just can't make a proc that runs faster than 4Ghz due to
heat limitations. And dual core is worthless unless your apps are
multi-threaded. So my current 3.6Ghz P4 is going to last me a while. When they
do come out with a faster proc, I'll probably go with a liquid-cooling solution
(CPU and case), but not necessarily a SilentMaxx PSU.
Click to expand...


If you pick a 3.6GHz P4, of course you'll have heat and
power problems (higher than average) unless all your ducks
are in a row.

You could today, randomly pick a Core 2 Duo or Athlon X64
system and it will not have as high a power or cooling
requirement.

Your system need not be noisey, you simply need a case with
ample intake and exhaust area (actual area, not just tiny
holes stamped out of a large area) and large low RPM fan(s).
Of course a reasonable room, ambient temp is complimentary
to low noise too.
 
Your system need not be noisey, you simply need a case with
ample intake and exhaust area (actual area, not just tiny
holes stamped out of a large area) and large low RPM fan(s).
Of course a reasonable room, ambient temp is complimentary
to low noise too.
Click to expand...

Large, low RPM fans *are* generally the quietest - and that's what I started
with, along with the SilentMaxx PSU. Even after I replaced the PSU my system
(full-tower Antec case) was still too hot. I have other high-end components,
but the proc was mostly to blame. So I had to replace my quiet fans. I'm now
using 80mm Panasonic "Panaflow" fans and everything is fine. But my initial
goal of a silent (or at least very quiet) PC had to be sacrificed because of
cooling requirements.

For a truly quiet PC, liquid cooling is the way to go. Zalman's Reserator 1 V2
is, IMHO, one of the best solutions available:

http://www.zalmanusa.com/

Even with liquid cooling, you'll still need some kind of fan in the case. But
when it comes to noise, fans are the enemy.
 
Large, low RPM fans *are* generally the quietest - and that's what I started
with, along with the SilentMaxx PSU. Even after I replaced the PSU my system
(full-tower Antec case) was still too hot. I have other high-end components,
but the proc was mostly to blame.
Click to expand...

Are you certain the case was too hot, or was it only the
CPU? If the CPU, it suggests a different heatsink or at
least remount of the current heatsink may help.

So I had to replace my quiet fans. I'm now
using 80mm Panasonic "Panaflow" fans and everything is fine. But my initial
goal of a silent (or at least very quiet) PC had to be sacrificed because of
cooling requirements.

For a truly quiet PC, liquid cooling is the way to go. Zalman's Reserator 1 V2
is, IMHO, one of the best solutions available:

http://www.zalmanusa.com/

Even with liquid cooling, you'll still need some kind of fan in the case. But
when it comes to noise, fans are the enemy.
Click to expand...

Liquid cooling will not result in a quieter system.
A _good_ CPU heatsink can run silently, as can adequate
sized chassis fans. You can achieve this with liquid
cooling too, but at a higher cost, shorter maintenance
interval, and no benefit unless it's a highly overclocked
system.
 
Are you certain the case was too hot, or was it only the
CPU? If the CPU, it suggests a different heatsink or at
least remount of the current heatsink may help.
Click to expand...

It was the CPU. Even with a quality copper heat sink I was seeing temps in the
upper 60s under sustained load. Higher-end P4's are notorious for running hot.
The bottom line was the "quiet" fans just couldn't handle it.
Liquid cooling will not result in a quieter system.
A _good_ CPU heatsink can run silently, as can adequate
sized chassis fans. You can achieve this with liquid
cooling too, but at a higher cost, shorter maintenance
interval, and no benefit unless it's a highly overclocked
system.
Click to expand...

Liquid cooling *in and of itself* does not necessarily mean a quieter system,
but a *good* liquid cooling system will always be more effective for dissipating
heat and will run quieter than any air cooled system. There are a number of
sites out there that document this by way of comparison.

The extra cost and hassle of a radiator is a price I'm very willing to pay for a
cool and quiet system, especially considering my investment in the proc/mobo and
other high-end components (graphics card, sata disks, etc.). But technology
changes quickly. Who knows what the latest and greatest will be a few years out.
But as long as more processing power generates more heat, my guess is liquid
cooling will continue to be popular with system builders who want low noise and
high-end performance.
 
It was the CPU. Even with a quality copper heat sink I was seeing temps in the
upper 60s under sustained load. Higher-end P4's are notorious for running hot.
The bottom line was the "quiet" fans just couldn't handle it.
Click to expand...

No, a quality copper heat sink will keep it cooler. You are
trying to compare merely median heatsinks with more exotic
cooling. No wonder you don't understand.


Liquid cooling *in and of itself* does not necessarily mean a quieter system,
but a *good* liquid cooling system will always be more effective for dissipating
heat and will run quieter than any air cooled system.
Click to expand...

No, the effectiveness is only necessary to keep parts cool
enough, and it will not run quieter.

There is no part you can be rid of in a good air-cooled
system (moving to liquid cooling) that makes audible noise
outside of the chassis, BUT you must have a good case.

There are a number of
sites out there that document this by way of comparison.
Click to expand...

Sure, and a really poor water cooler may not do as well or
make less noise than a poor sink. You're not using a decent
case or not making a reasonable comparison.

There is no part you can get rid of using water cooling that
makes an audible sound if set up properly.

The extra cost and hassle of a radiator is a price I'm very willing to pay for a
cool and quiet system,
Click to expand...

You're not paying it for a cool and quiet system, you're
paying it (if you do) because you lack the ability to source
good parts and set them up properly towards low noise.

especially considering my investment in the proc/mobo and
other high-end components (graphics card, sata disks, etc.). But technology
changes quickly. Who knows what the latest and greatest will be a few years out.
But as long as more processing power generates more heat, my guess is liquid
cooling will continue to be popular with system builders who want low noise and
high-end performance.
Click to expand...


Actually liquid cooling is mostly a toy for young men. For
a "PC", the vast majority of them that run as quiet, don't
use liquid cooling.
 
The extra cost and hassle of a radiator is a price I'm very willing to pay for a
cool and quiet system, especially considering my investment in the proc/mobo and
other high-end components (graphics card, sata disks, etc.). But technology
changes quickly. Who knows what the latest and greatest will be a few years out.
But as long as more processing power generates more heat, my guess is liquid
cooling will continue to be popular with system builders who want low noise and
high-end performance.
Click to expand...


Liquid cooling can even be louder, because you have the pump
noise. Not all are loud but some are definitely audible
while the CPU/other fan being removed, wasn't when set up
for quiet operation.
 
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