PSU
BUYER’S GUIDE
Thermaltake SMART 730W
$99.99 www.thermaltakeusa.com
BUYER’S GUIDE
PC Power & Cooling
Silencer Mk III 600W
$89.99 www.pcpower.com
Why You’ll Dig It: The
SMART Series from Ther-
maltake drops many of the
bells and whistles you’ll
find on higher-end Ther-
maltake models, but it still
provides the reliability you
want in a PSU. For example, double-forward switching circuitry
lowers power loss to improve lifespan, and active PFC delivers
clean, reliable power. You’ll also enjoy overcurrent, overvoltage,
overpower, and short-circuit protection.
Who Should Apply: Those looking for a new power supply
(or want replace an existing PSU) that will work for the life-
time of their computer.
Total Power: 730 watts
Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (56A)
80 PLUS Certification: Standard
PSU PSU
Why You’ll Dig
It: The Mk III in-
troduces modular
cables to PC Power
& Cooling’s popular
Silencer lineup. This
600W PSU features
two 4+4-pin +12V CPU cables and two 6+2-pin PCI-E power
connectors to provide compatibility with high-end components.
PC Power & Cooling indicates that the Silencer Mk III offers up
to 90% less noise per watt than traditional power supplies.
Who Should Apply: Those building a system with a single,
high-power GPU and want consistent and quiet performance
from their PSU.
Total Power: 600 watts
Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (46A)
80 PLUS Certification: Bronze
BUYER’S GUIDE
PSU BUYER’S GUIDE
Logisys AT750BK
Rosewill HIVE-550
$79.99 www.elogisys.com
$79.99 www.rosewill.com
Why You’ll Dig It:
This power supply
features an elegant
wrinkle black
finish. It offers a
6+2-pin and 6-pin
PCI-E cable to pro-
vide support for a
high-end graphics
card (or two mid-
range graphics cards), as well as six SATA connectors and four
Molex connectors. Logisys tests the AT750BK at 50 C, and it’s
also 100% hi-pot and function (Chroma) tested.
Why You’ll Dig
It: The single-
rail HIVE-550
provides you
with 38A, as well
as two 6+2-pin
PCI-E connec-
tors to power one
high-end graphics
cards or two
GPUs that each require only one PCI-E connector. The HIVE-
550 offers a maximum efficiency of 87%, a high efficiency
rating for such an affordable power supply
Who Should Apply: Occasional gamers and everyday users.
Who Should Apply: PSU buyers looking for a good value that
will still support a high-end graphics card.
Total Power: 750 watts
Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (62A)
80 PLUS Certification: Standard
64 March 2012 / www.computerpoweruser.com
Total Power: 550 watts
Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (38A)
80 PLUS Certification: Bronze