Comparison Of Some Quieter Mid-2003 PC Power Supplies

Maker Power Model Number Noise Fan Size(s) Fan Speed Efficiency Power Factor Correction Price
Zalman 300W NP ZM300A-APF 20-31dBA 80mm Fan Speed >75% at full load Yes $60 at SVC, $68 at QuietPC, $56 at Central Computer!
Zalman 400W NP ZM400A-APF 20-31dBA 80mm Fan Speed >75% at full load Yes $100 at SVC, $110 at QuietPC
Thermaltake 420W Silent Purepower W0009 17+? dBA dual 1300-2400 rpm >65% No $53 at SVC
Thermaltake 420W Silent Purepower W0008 17+? dBA dual 1300-2400 rpm >65% Yes $63 at SVC
Thermaltake 480W Xaser Silent Purepower W0013/W0014 17-45 dBA 80mm, 80mm 1300-4800 rpm >65% No $83 at SVC
Thermaltake 480W Xaser Silent Purepower W0010/W0011 17-45 dBA 80mm, 80mm 1300-4800 rpm >65% Yes $86 at SVC
Vantec 420W Stealth VAN-420A 20-28 dB 3 x 80mm 900-2500 rpm 68+% Optioned? $95 at SVC
Vantec 470W Stealth VAN-470A 20-28 dB 3 x 80mm 900-2500 rpm 68+% Optioned? $105 at SVC
Vantec 520W Stealth VAN-520A 20-28 dB 3 x 80mm 900-2500 rpm 68+% Optioned? $115 at SVC
Nexus 300W Nexus NX-3000 <20dBA Fan Size(s) Fan Speed 65-70% No $75 at QuietPC
Nexus 400W Nexus NX-4000 <22dBA in idle mode Fan Size(s) Fan Speed 65-70% Yes $100 at QuietPC
Enermax 350W Whisper EG365P-VE FC 23-37 dB 92mm, 80mm Fan Speed 70% at full load No? $67 at SVC
Enermax 460W Whisper EG465P-VE FC 23-37 dB 92mm, 80mm Fan Speed 70% at full load No? $89 at SVC

Power supplies from svc.com and quietpc.com with noise specifications.

Notes:

  1. All have thermally-controlled (automatic speed-adjusting) fans and support Pentium 4 and AMD processors.
  2. Measurement conditions are unknown, and the specifications are therefore dubious.
  3. Probably a marginally useful correlation to noise is fan size and speed, though fan designs (specifically blade and bearing designs) also affect noise significantly. That said, smaller, faster-turning fan will often be noisier.
  4. The only way to be really sure of noise levels would be put a dummy load on each supply in an anechoic chamber and measure with a calibrated meter.