For some, overclocking just isn't any fun if they can't hear themselves think, and gaming is a drag when they can't hear their opponent slinking up behind them. For these enthusiasts, the market has been inundated with new, quiet fans, video card coolers, and CPU coolers, but very few quiet, reliable power supplies have been available... until SilenX released its iXtrema line of power supplies, and SilenX's iXtrema Pro is aimed to meet the demand of PC enthusiasts who aren't enthusiastic when it comes to noisy computers.

Specifications (taken from the SilenX website):

• Dimensions: 150mm x 86mm x 140mm
• Input: 115/230V @ 50/60 Hz
• Output: 400W
• 3.3V - 30.0A
• 5.0V - 32.0A
• 12.0V - 18.0A
• <5% Load Regulation
• <1% Line Regulation
• Efficiency: 75% under load
• Over Voltage Protection: 3.3V/4V 5V/6V 12V/14V
• Over Power Protection: 105%~150% of max load

Connectors: 6 molex, 2 floppy, 2 S-ATA, sleeved 20-pin ATX power connector, 4-pin P4 connector, and AUX connector

The iXtrema Pro's molex connectors aren't normal white/clear connectors. SilenX used the kind of connector that has finger tabs on the top and bottom of the connector to push against the female molex during disassembly, which is very helpful when dealing with a stubborn connection in a hard to reach place.

80mm Hypro Bearing Exhaust Fan

Hypro Bearing Fans are modified sleeve bearing fans that use a magnetic field to prevent friction between the bearing and fan hub. Compared to sleeve bearing fans, hypro bearing fans are much quieter and last longer because of the reduced friction involved when the fan spins.

Silicone Vibration Dampening Fan Mounts

SilenX's silicone fan mounts prevent vibration noise traditionally caused by a running fan mounted on metal casing.

Is it quiet?

Yes.

In fact, when we shorted pin 14 and a ground on the ATX power connector to see how loud the PSU really was, we weren't sure whether it had turned on or not because the fan was so quiet. According to SilenX, the fan inside the iXtrema Pro emits around 6-8 dBA when it first turns on.

Once things in the case and power supply start to heat up, however, the PSU's fan speeds up a little to produce just 14 dBA at full speed. The SilenX fan emits no air noise, mechanical noise, or vibration. Simply put, this is the quietest power supply we've ever heard (or barely heard), and SilenX's rating of a peak 14 dBA is, surprisingly, very accurate.