be quiet System Power 8 600W PSU Review

Introduction & Packaging

be quiet! are one of the biggest and best names in the PC component market, having created a huge range of award winning products over the years, such as their power supplies, coolers, and more recently, their chassis. Today, we’ll be taking a look at one of their more affordable products, the be quiet! System Power 8, a modest PSU that can provide a cost effective solution for system builders and system integrators. We know that be quiet! can produce premium quality and premium priced products, but how well do they fare when things get a little more cost effective? That’s what we aim to find out.

“Especially designed by be quiet! with the price-conscious PC builders in mind – the new be quiet! System Power 8 600W, featuring true be quiet! reliability with two 12V-rails and rock-solid voltages. The series is certified 80PLUS® efficient and able to support multiple GPUs with four PCIe connectors. System Power 8‘s combination of power, quietness for its class and efficiency is far beyond ordinary, letting you build cost-effective and reliable systems – a key differentiator in these days of identical commodities.” – be quiet!

While this PSU is targeted heavily at retailers who build systems, it will be available to consumers too, so don’t be put off by the business to business ideal behind it. If it does a great job at a great price, then be quiet! could be onto a winner here, so let’s jump right in and take a closer look at what it has to offer.

Features

• 600W of continuous power and two 12V-rails ensure rock-solid voltage stability for powerful multi-GPU systems
• 80PLUS® certification and up to 87% power conversion efficiency
• Quiet operation for its class achieved by an array of careful optimizations, including the use of a quiet 120mm fan
• Attractively sleeved cables simplify component installation, increase airflow and improve cooling
• Product conception, design and quality control in Germany

Engineering

• Full suite of top safety protections defends against over-currents, over- and under-voltages, short circuits, overheating and overloads, thus safeguarding your valuable components
• Two independent 12V-rails improve power signal stability
• High-quality sleeved cables simplify component installation, increase airflow and improve cooling
• Four PCI express connectors for multi-GPU system configurations
• Compatible with 230V AC power mains

Energy Efficiency

• 80PLUS® certification means operating efficiency for its class of up to 87%
• High efficiency means cost savings, reduced heat wastage and overall quieter operation
• Standby drain of less than 0.13 watts
• Meets Energy Star 6.0 guidelines
• Fulfills ErP 2014 guidelines
• Zero Load design supports Intel®’s Deep Power Down C6/C7 mode

Quiet Operation

• High-quality 120mm fan is thermally controlled to strike the best balance between proper cooling and quietness
• Efficient PSU design produces low operating temperatures

Outstanding Service and Support

• 3-years manufacturer’s warranty
• Quick support is available via our international hotline, Mondays to Fridays from 9:00am to 5:30pm CET: +49 (0) 40-736 76 86 – 98

The packaging is typical be quiet! with all black and a small image of the PSU on the front. As you can see, we have the 600W model today; more than enough for most mid-to-high end gaming and work systems.

Around the back, a quick technical run-down, as well as a listing of all the available cables; we’ll take a closer look at these shortly.

In the box, aside from the PSU, you’ll also find a power cable, four fitting screws and a simple user manual.