W1zzard
07-03-2004, 12:51 PM
[PAGE=Introduction, Packaging & Inside Shots]
Introduction
I would like to thank HEC for supplying me with the unit for review.
Founded as vehicle components manufacturer in 1979, HEC has grown to a supplier of PC components since 1989.
HEC is one of the world leading companies of computer housing and switching power suppply products with offices in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, Spain and China. The companies headquarters are located in Taiwan.
HEC's core values are "High Quality", "Evolution" and "Commitment" - the first letters of these words form the company name. The company is able to produce 500,000 power supplies and 500,000 PC cases every month in a total of four factories.
This is our first PSU review, we have been trying a few things to give you all the information you need for your buying decision - if you have any comments or suggestions please use the "Discuss this article" link at the bottom of the page (registration is not required).
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package2.jpg)
Box contents:
Power Supply Unit
Manual
Screw Package
Please note that the scratched away paint on top of the PSU is not a problem in retail versions. The package the samples were sent in had a few clamps going all the way inside.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psu_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psu.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cabling1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cabling1.jpg)
<table class="resulttable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<th rowspan="2">Connectors</th>
<th align="center">Main Power</th>
<th align="center">5.25"</th>
<th align="center">Floppy</th>
<th align="center">4 Pin CPU</th>
<th align="center">SerialATA</th>
<th align="center">PCI-E Aux Power</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">ATX 20 Pin + 6 Pin Aux</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">-</td>
</tr>
</table>
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cablelength.gif
Inside
If you open your PSU your warranty is gone. HEC has done a pretty good job to make sure no PSUs have been tampered with, opening it requires that you destroy two stickers because screws are hidden under them.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside2.jpg)
Looks all well cleaned up to me. A word of warning: the shorter heatsink will carry 220V when the PSU is switched on.
[PAGE=Performance, Value & Conclusion]
Performance
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/label_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/label.jpg)
<table class="resulttable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<th colspan="7">HEC Silent 385W</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>AC Input</th>
<td colspan="6">180V-264V 8A, 50-60 Hz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>DC Voltage</th>
<td align="center">+3.3V</td>
<td align="center">+5V</td>
<td align="center">+12V</td>
<td align="center">-12V</td>
<td align="center">-5V</td>
<td align="center">+5VSB</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th rowspan="2">Max. Output</th>
<td align="center">35A</td>
<td align="center">36A</td>
<td align="center">18A</td>
<td align="center">1A</td>
<td align="center">1A</td>
<td align="center">2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center">195 W</td>
<td align="center">216 W</td>
<td align="center">12 W</td>
<td align="center">5 W</td>
<td align="center">10 W</td>
</tr>
</table>
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psugraph.gif
Tested on: P4 2.4C @ 3,5 Ghz, 1.7V. ABIT IC7, Radeon X800 Pro, WD Raptor, WD 1600PB, SCSI CD-ROM, SCSI Burner.
The 5V and 3.3V lines are exceptionally stable. The 12V line tends to fluctuate a bit, but stayed above 12V at all times. All lines are well within the limits set by the ATX Specification.
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The HEC Silent 385 is selling for about $45 which is a fair price for this PSU.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Very quiet (temperature-controlled 20-30 dbA)
Stable voltages
Pretty black paint
SATA Connector
Screw package included
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Unsleeved cabling
Cables could be longer
Paint job takes fingerprints very easy
Only 220V AC supported, no mains power cable included
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.5</th>
<td>The Silent385 is a good allround PSU for the normal user and seasoned overclocker. Hardcore people probably want to choose a PSU with a >400W rating.
The tested 220V version is only available for the european market. A 110V version with the same specs is available for the U.S. market.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td></td></tr>
</table>
Introduction
I would like to thank HEC for supplying me with the unit for review.
Founded as vehicle components manufacturer in 1979, HEC has grown to a supplier of PC components since 1989.
HEC is one of the world leading companies of computer housing and switching power suppply products with offices in the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, Spain and China. The companies headquarters are located in Taiwan.
HEC's core values are "High Quality", "Evolution" and "Commitment" - the first letters of these words form the company name. The company is able to produce 500,000 power supplies and 500,000 PC cases every month in a total of four factories.
This is our first PSU review, we have been trying a few things to give you all the information you need for your buying decision - if you have any comments or suggestions please use the "Discuss this article" link at the bottom of the page (registration is not required).
Packaging
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/package2.jpg)
Box contents:
Power Supply Unit
Manual
Screw Package
Please note that the scratched away paint on top of the PSU is not a problem in retail versions. The package the samples were sent in had a few clamps going all the way inside.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psu_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psu.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cabling1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cabling1.jpg)
<table class="resulttable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<th rowspan="2">Connectors</th>
<th align="center">Main Power</th>
<th align="center">5.25"</th>
<th align="center">Floppy</th>
<th align="center">4 Pin CPU</th>
<th align="center">SerialATA</th>
<th align="center">PCI-E Aux Power</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center">ATX 20 Pin + 6 Pin Aux</td>
<td align="center">6</td>
<td align="center">2</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">1</td>
<td align="center">-</td>
</tr>
</table>
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/cablelength.gif
Inside
If you open your PSU your warranty is gone. HEC has done a pretty good job to make sure no PSUs have been tampered with, opening it requires that you destroy two stickers because screws are hidden under them.
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside1_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside1.jpg) http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside2_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/inside2.jpg)
Looks all well cleaned up to me. A word of warning: the shorter heatsink will carry 220V when the PSU is switched on.
[PAGE=Performance, Value & Conclusion]
Performance
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/label_small.jpg (http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/label.jpg)
<table class="resulttable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5">
<tr>
<th colspan="7">HEC Silent 385W</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>AC Input</th>
<td colspan="6">180V-264V 8A, 50-60 Hz</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>DC Voltage</th>
<td align="center">+3.3V</td>
<td align="center">+5V</td>
<td align="center">+12V</td>
<td align="center">-12V</td>
<td align="center">-5V</td>
<td align="center">+5VSB</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th rowspan="2">Max. Output</th>
<td align="center">35A</td>
<td align="center">36A</td>
<td align="center">18A</td>
<td align="center">1A</td>
<td align="center">1A</td>
<td align="center">2A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" align="center">195 W</td>
<td align="center">216 W</td>
<td align="center">12 W</td>
<td align="center">5 W</td>
<td align="center">10 W</td>
</tr>
</table>
http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/HEC/Silent385/images/psugraph.gif
Tested on: P4 2.4C @ 3,5 Ghz, 1.7V. ABIT IC7, Radeon X800 Pro, WD Raptor, WD 1600PB, SCSI CD-ROM, SCSI Burner.
The 5V and 3.3V lines are exceptionally stable. The 12V line tends to fluctuate a bit, but stayed above 12V at all times. All lines are well within the limits set by the ATX Specification.
Value and Conclusion
<table width="100%" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" id="result">
<tr><th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/dollar.gif</th>
<td>
The HEC Silent 385 is selling for about $45 which is a fair price for this PSU.
</td>
</tr><tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbup.gif</th>
<td>
Very quiet (temperature-controlled 20-30 dbA)
Stable voltages
Pretty black paint
SATA Connector
Screw package included
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>http://www.techpowerup.com/images/thumbdown.gif</th>
<td>
Unsleeved cabling
Cables could be longer
Paint job takes fingerprints very easy
Only 220V AC supported, no mains power cable included
</td></tr>
<tr><th>7.5</th>
<td>The Silent385 is a good allround PSU for the normal user and seasoned overclocker. Hardcore people probably want to choose a PSU with a >400W rating.
The tested 220V version is only available for the european market. A 110V version with the same specs is available for the U.S. market.
</td></tr>
<tr><th></th><td></td></tr>
</table>