The SilverStone Nightjar NJ450-SXL 450W SFX PSU Review: Passive Excellence

Conclusion

SilverStone's PSU division places a lot of their R&D efforts into the advancement of small form factor systems, and the Nightjar NJ450-SXL is testament to that fact. The Nightjar NJ450-SXL is the first (and currently only) advanced fully passively cooled PSU in SFX form factor, designed to power truly quiet SFF PCs.

The electrical performance of the Nightjar NJ450-SXL is impressive, especially for a passively cooled PSU of this size. We recorded excellent power quality figures, with the PSU showing outstanding voltage line stability. There is very low voltage ripple on all lines, with Enhance designing the platform so as to perform best when it's normally loaded. The PSU easily meets its 80Plus Platinum efficiency requirements at both common input voltages and, as we expected from a passively cooled unit, it is measurably more efficient than the average 80Plus Platinum-certified PSU.

SilverStone backs the NJ450-SXL with a three-year warranty, which is acceptable but not really impressive by today’s standards. Nevertheless, the design and overall quality of the PSU appears to be excellent. Enhance did not cut any corners, performing an exceptional assembly job and using top quality parts all around. We do not foresee any quality-related issues, except perhaps from cases where the PSU may remain significantly and continuously loaded for long periods of time at high ambient temperatures.

When using a passively cooled PSU, there are certain implications. The major point that requires consideration is the fact that the heat generated by the PSU (i.e. its thermal losses) will be released inside the system itself, whereas typical PSUs would actively vent most of that heat to the outside of the case. This means that the system itself will get hotter and may require better cooling in order to sustain its overall performance. Even the PSU’s overall performance will degrade if the ambient temperatures inside the case rise, impacting its own efficiency and longevity. This will probably not be a problem with modern systems that are built with efficiency in mind, but the specifics of this must be considered and weighted by the system’s builder in building a balanced system. After all, it would not make any sense to use a passively cooled PSU only to replace it by another noise source, such as additional case fans.

With the Nightjar NJ450-SXL SilverStone is seeking to satisfy the craving of those who are obsessed with absolute silence, allowing experts to design truly tranquil living room entertainment systems. The performance of the Nightjar NJ450-SXL is excellent and will leave nobody disappointed. However, the design of a truly silent PC requires expertise and the PSU alone is but a small factor. For example, the noise coming from typical gaming GPU will greatly exceed that of the PSU, making its purchase pointless to begin with. The Nightjar NJ450-SXL is a specialized product meant to offer advanced users and experts the ability to design near or fully silent systems, but buyers will want to keep in mind that making the most of the passive PSU will require a bit more than a basic level of user/builder experience.