Lian Li Silent Force 850W PSU

Comparative Efficiency

Compared to previous PSUs we've tested, the Lian Li hits about mid-table in terms of efficiency. While others dip strongly for the 3.3V and 5V values, the Silent Force doesn't quite so badly.

Compared to other ~850W PSUs like the OCZ EliteXStream, the BFG ES Series and the Silver Power 850W, the Lian Li hits a reasonable middle ground again - the premium BFG and OCZ sit comfortably above by a few percent, whereas the value-concious Silver Power is actually about the same.

It can't match the Corsair TX750W at 50 and 100 percent loads either, but it's a few percent better at their respective 75 percent loads. All in all, Lian Li has a good product that matches the competition, but it doesn't come close to setting new records.

Value and Conclusions

At a $210 MSRP this PSU is really very expensive, especially if we compare it to the OCZ EliteXStream 800W PSU which can be bought for $139.99 or $109.99 after a mail-in rebate. The BFG ES Series is even less at $109.99 before rebate and $69.99 after, while the more powerful Corsair HX1000W is only a little more at $259.99 or $239.99 after rebate.

We're still waiting for Lian Li to bring the unit to the UK, but with the poor USD to GBP exchange rate giving UK Sterling less strength, this will cause higher prices anyway - if the Silent Force is already expensive in the States we can't see the end result being positive in an already overly competitive UK market. Lian Li will have a hard time convincing people it's better value when the efficiency is marginally lower than the cheaper and more established BFG and OCZ units, even if it is marginally quieter than them both. In terms of noise, we actually only think it's only second to the awesome and genuinely silent Be Quiet! Dark Power Pro 650W that uses a fluid bearing fan.

The end result is that the Lian Li Silent Force 850W does what it says on the tin perfectly well, and while it may not be the most efficient, it is still highly efficient and makes up for the slight difference with a complete lack of noise, a solid table of voltages and some good quality cable and connector choices. We do like the Lian Li Silent Force a lot, and for a first try it's a fantastic effort, but for our cash we'd plump for the more popular OCZ or BFG units, even if the BFG is expensive by UK terms, it seems our US brethren have it better than we do.

• Efficiency/Voltages
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

• Noise/Heat
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• 10/10

• Features
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

• Value
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• -
• -
• -
• 5/10

• Overall
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• x
• -
• -
• 8/10

Score Guide