SilverStone Nightjar 500 W Power Supply Review
Ripple and Noise Tests
Contents
Voltages at the power supply outputs must be as “clean” as possible, with no noise or oscillation (also known as “ripple”). The maximum ripple and noise levels allowed are 120 mV for +12 V and -12 V outputs, and 50 mV for +5 V, +3.3 V and +5VSB outputs. All values are peak-to-peak figures. We consider a power supply as being top-notch if it can produce half or less of the maximum allowed ripple and noise levels.
The SilverStone Nightjar 500 W provided ripple and noise levels inside specifications, but during test five, the +5VSB output presented a noise and ripple level above the maximum allowed. At the +12 V output, it presented a very high noise and ripple level, although still inside the proper range.
| Input | Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 | Test 4 | Test 5 |
| +12VA | 34.0 mV | 52.6 mV | 69.8 mV | 84.6 mV | 109.6 mV |
| +12VB | 32.2 mV | 48.4 mV | 63.6 mV | 75.2 mV | 104.3 mV |
| +5 V | 13.2 mV | 16.2 mV | 21.2 mV | 25.4 mV | 31.2 mV |
| +3.3 V | 15.2 mV | 18.6 mV | 25.4 mV | 27.8 mV | 35.2 mV |
| +5VSB | 23.2 mV | 26.2 mV | 31.4 mV | 38.2 mV | 55.2 mV |
| -12 V | 17.2 mV | 18.4 mV | 23.4 mV | 27.8 mV | 31.6 mV |
Below you can see the waveforms of the outputs during test five.
Figure 21: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 495.6 W (109.6 mV)
Figure 22: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 495.6 W (104.3 mV)
Figure 23: +5V rail during test five at 495.6 W (31.2 mV)
Figure 24: +3.3 V rail during test five at 495.6 W (35.2 mV)
Let’s see if we can pull more than 500 W from this unit.