SilverStone Strider Plus 500 W Power Supply Review

Conclusions

The SilverStone Strider Plus 500 W is a good option if you are looking for a 500 W power supply with a full modular cabling system. It can really deliver its labeled wattage at high temperatures, positive voltages are closer to their nominal values than required (3% voltage regulation), noise and ripple levels are low (except for the +5VSB output), and it provides terrific efficiency for the market to which it is targeted, between 83% and 86% when we pulled between 20% and 80% of the unit’s labeled power (i.e., between 100 W and 400 W). Another highlight of this unit includes the presence of six SATA power connectors and two video card power connectors.

However, this
unit is not flawless, as during our full load tests at high temperatures efficiency was at 80% instead of 82% as promised (which, unfortunately, happens often with 80 Plus Bronze power supplies), and noise level at +5VSB was touching the allowed limit, at 49 mV.

At USD 80, this unit may seem expensive for a 500 W unit, but is only USD 5 above the PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk II 500 W, which has similar performance but no modular cabling system. (However, you can get this PC Power & Cooling model for USD 55 after a mail-in rebate.) It is USD 15 more expensive than the OCZ ModXStream Pro 500 W, but the reviewed model from SilverStone presents higher efficiency. 

In summary, the SilverStone Strider Plus 500 W provides a good value for users looking for a 500 W power supply with a full modular cabling system and good efficiency.