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

The FPS Review may receive a commission if you purchase something after clicking a link in this article.

Load Testing

For those of you that are curious as to some of the reasoning and equipment behind our PSU testing program here at TheFPSReview, we have put together an introduction for you. This program is based on what the author developed at [H]ardOCP and utilizes the equipment bequeathed to the author by Kyle Bennett. The testing we are conducting today is exactly as described in that document and start with our 120v, 100v, Torture, and 80 Plus Tests.

120v and 100v Load Testing Results

Test #1 is equal to approximately 25% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 303W by loading the 12v rail to 23a, the 5v rail to 2a, the 3.3v rail to 1a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. The results of Test #1 show the main positive DC output rails starting off right around nominal. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in excellent shape at a value of 92.52% at 120v AC input and 91.13% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is 48C at 120v AC input and 51C at 100V AC input.

Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 595W by loading the 12v rail to 46a, the 5v rail to 4a, the 3.3v rail to 3a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #2 sees across the board declines in DC output voltages relative to what we saw with Test #1. The largest changes are up to 0.07v on the 12v rail and 0.04v on the minor rails. The efficiency has barely moved up to 92.89% at 120v AC input and 91.89% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 53C at 120v AC input and 57C at 100V AC input.

Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of SilverStone ST1200-PTS at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 897W by loading the 12v rail to 70a, the 5v rail to 7a, the 3.3v rail to 5a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #3 sees across the board declines in the main DC output voltages. The 5v and 3.3v rails have dropped by 0.04v and 0.05v respectively. The 12v rail has dropped by up to 0.16v (depending on the connector). The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 91.65% at 120v AC input and 90.54% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 60C at 120v AC input and 63C at 100V AC input.

Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 1177W by loading the 12v rail to 95a, the 5v rail to 5a, the 3.3v rail to 4a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. In the final regular test, we see the 12v rail drop by up to 0.08v. The minor rails, however, see decreases of just 0.01v each. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 90.65% at 120v AC input and 89.41% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 64C at 120v AC input and 67C at 100V AC input.

Torture Test

The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone ST1200-PTS at 45C. This makes the Torture Test equal to 944W by loading the 12v rail to 72a, the 5v rail to 11a, the 3.3v rail to 6a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. At the end of the Torture Test, the ST1200-PTS is still doing fine. The DC output voltages are generally in line with what we have been seeing in the 120v load tests. The efficiency is good as we see a value of 90.82% and the exhaust temperature is 68C.

80 Plus Load Testing Results

As we see here, the ST1200-PTS posts efficiency values of 92.81%-93.31%-91.08% efficient using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit easily in the 80 Plus Platinum standards. However, we do use different equipment than 80 Plus for our testing and there is always a bit of component variation.

Load Testing Summary

Today, the SilverStone ST1200-PTS proved to be a good power supply with the same ups and downs that we saw from the ST1000-PTS. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the ST1200-PTS had peak changes of 0.24v on the 12v rail, 0.09v on the 5v rail, and 0.1v on the 3.3v rail. Now, while we do not have comparable products to look at today, these absolute values are in specification and they do align with the general values we would have extrapolated given what we saw from the ST1000-PTS (which shares a platform with this unit). The 12v rail, however, is the doing the least well among these and there are certainly 1200W units out there that will give better voltage regulation than this unit on the 12v rail. However, we do have to frame all of this by saying that SilverStone has crammed this unit into a smaller housing than is normal and, to get a large capacity high powered platform into a smaller enclosure, some things will have to be sacrificed.

When we look at the efficiency side of things, we see that the ST1200-PTS ranged from 90.65% to 92.89% efficient at 120v AC input and 89.41% to 91.89% efficient at 100v AC input which is outstanding. On that same note, this unit also hit its advertised 80 Plus efficiency values. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 64C at 120v AC input, 67C at 100v AC input, and 68C during the Torture Test. With very good starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.

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.

Recent News