SilverStone Strider Platinum 1200W (ST1200-PTS) Power Supply Review

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Build Quality

As we already know the SilverStone ST1200-PTS features a single 120mm fan design like many other offerings on the market that has come to be the preferred standard for quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan. While great for quiet computing environments the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient, not necessarily it’s sound level or form factor.

External Build Quality

The external build of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS is identical to the recent ST1000-PTS we reviewed. As such, there is little new here today as we, once more, see a single overhead fan design with APFC and modular cables. The finish is, again, a slightly textured black finish that should be durable and the unit carries the SilverStone branding. The modular interface is fully labeled with a sticker indicating which connector is for which cable type.

The SilverStone ST1200-PTS comes in at a total length of ~5 1/2 inches while the cables come in at a length of ~23″ to 31″ to the first or only connector. Additionally, the cables are all the FlexForce style cables.

Internal Build Quality

Once we open the top of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS, we see the same compact design from Enhance that we saw with the ST1000-PTS. The topology is again a full bridge resonant LLC primary and a secondary where we have synchronous rectification with DC-DC VRMs for the minor rails. The heatsink layout features three finely machined heatsinks that we are used to seeing from Enhance. These heatsinks are paired with a 120mm “improved” sleeve bearing type fan (HYB) from Yate Loon. When we look at the back of PCB, we see the 12v MOSFETs here using the housing as an addition heatsink. The soldering here is outstanding.

On the primary side, the ST1200-PTS input filtering begins loosely attached to the housing itself with some X capacitors and Y capacitors but then trails onto the main PCB. This is the same interesting layout that we found with the ST1000-PTS where the filtering is more along the side of the main PCB as opposed to the rear. The bridge rectifier is next and it is attached to a fairly large aluminum heatsink. As we move on to the primary side proper, we find a coil followed by the APFC power components and the main switchers on a heatsink. Next to this heatsink are the main input capacitors which are provided by Nippon Chemi-con. These capacitors are rated at 450v 560uF 105C. Interestingly, this is the same ratings we had with the input capacitors on the 200W smaller ST1000-PTS.

On the secondary side of this unit, we see the same crowded layout today as we did with the ST1000-PTS. In this area, we find the main transformer on the front edge of the main PCB. In addition to this, we then find the +5VSB circuitry, protection IC, and of course the DC-DC VRMs. However, the DC-DC VRMs are housed on their own PCB which spans just about the length of the main PCB and it is located next to the modular PCB. The solid capacitors throughout the secondary are a mix of CapXon and Unicon capacitors. Additionally, there are a few small Nippon Chemi-con and Suncon capacitors scattered throughout the secondary in various places and roles. Moving on to the modular PCB, we see that the PCB construction looks very nice once more.

Build Quality Summary

Today’s SilverStone ST1200-PTS is the largest capacity power supply we have seen here at TheFPSReview. However, it is based off of the same platform as the ST1000-PTS that we saw previously. Like that unit, this unit is an ATX12v form factor power supply that is much shorter than normal. Also, like the ST1000-PTS, this unit starts the day off by looking like a very well built unit. The exterior is well done, and it looks like most modular overhead fan units these days with its black slightly textured finish. This is coupled with FlexForce style cabling which is nice to see.

When we move to the interior build quality, we see a modern design again that is generally well-executed. The integration is very well done (especially the soldering). The component selection is excellent as we see Nippon Chemi-con and Suncon standard capacitors as well as CapXon and Unicon solid capacitors today; though the CapXon capacitors are not as nice as the others. So, as was the case with the ST1000-PTS, this all looks hard to top except for maybe the fan selection. Let’s move on now to the load tests and see how this unit does there!

Paul Johnson
Paul is a long time PC hobbyist and tech enthusiast having gotten his start when he broke his first C64 quickly followed by breaking his first IBM XT. Most notably however, for 12 years, he served as the Power Supply Editor for one of the truly early, groundbreaking, and INDPENDENT PC enthusiast sites ([H]ardOCP) until its mothballing in April of 2019. Paul now brings the same flair and style of his power supply reviews to The FPS Review.

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