Intel and AMD have genuinely focussed on improving power efficiency for their latest round of mid-range processors. Both companies now employ a CPU-and-GPU architecture - AMD with Llano and Intel with Sandy Bridge - and the silicon-level integration means that power consumption has dropped markedly when compared to processors and motherboard-based IGP solutions from just a couple of years ago.
Indeed, run an AMD A8-3850 with the onboard graphics active and system-wide power-draw is unlikely to approach 100W. The same is true when looking at an Intel Core i5 2500K. Heck, add a powerful Radeon HD 6950 2GB card into the mix and at-mains consumption won't exceed 300W, going by our previous testing.
This reduction in mainstream PC power-draw has knock-on effects on the PSU market. SilverStone is taking advantage of the move to lower-power PCs and associated quietness by bringing a passively-cooled PSU, rated at 500W, to market this week.
The ST50NF (Nightjar) is certified with 80 PLUS Bronze efficiency. Looking closer, SilverStone claims it delivers up to 88 per cent efficiency at half-load (250W) and 87 per cent when operating at 500W.
12V juice is provided from a single rail, up to 38A (456W), and it has both an 8-pin and 6-pin PCIe connectors for power-hungry graphics cards - or two. Six SATA and six Molex connectors should give you all the flexibility you need for a mainstream build.
Clearly, the standout feature here is the lack of fans, as the aluminium chassis is designed to act as a massive heatsink. Reckoned to retail for £100 when it officially hits retailers' listings in a few days, it's worth bearing in mind if you're planning on building a near-silent PC.
