Xilence Performance C Series XP400R6: “peak power” deception (update)

Introducing the Xilence XP400R6

The Xilence Performance C Series XP400R6, codenamed “XN041”, is a very interesting unit. It bears a basic resemblance to the previous Red Wing series. Previously, there were the R3 models, and than the Performance A Series are R5 (but they skipped “R4”), so naturally it’s expected that this generation bears the “R6” mark in its name, being a successor to previous generations. However, I should add that unlike the previous models, and despite being produced by the same OEM (Huizhou Sinhuiyuan Technology Corporation Limited), it is essentially a slightly different platform than the Red Wing, and more importantly, unlike previous models, the model number is not indicative at all of the units overall power output. Indeed, you may have noticed that Xilence is very cautious in describing this model not making any specific mention of a supposed 400 watt rating, but rather it’s suggested by the model number itself, albeit very subtly. Unfortunately, this hasn’t stopped many sellers who don’t have a clue from labeling this a 400W unit.

But Xilence have made sure to cover their own backs by carefully omitting this fictitious 400W moniker from this product’s literature. On their website, they only write “XP400”. And there’s nothing on the box itself which suggests 400W. It’s only when you scroll way down to the “Technical Data” when there’s a remote mention of this unit having a “peak power” of 400 W. So why all the obfuscation? I’ll tell you: It’s because the real continuous power is – wait for it – only 250 W! Summing up all the advertised power figures for all the rails, we get to around 280 W, which unsurprisingly also corresponds to the value given by the manufacturer (and not Xilence themselves) for this particular platform on their website (270 W). Xilence even tells us that this has over-power protection! I guess that’s a must lest some innocent person wonder why their brand new “400 W” (or 500/600 W for other models of this series) burned up on the first try while loading it at its rated value.

So the XP400R6 is actually a 250W unit which is priced at slightly over 800 CZK, while in Germany it can be purchased for as little as 25 Euro (27 USD, 37 AUD). With no 80 PLUS certification and only a one year warranty (with the second year granted only upon immediate registration after purchase), customers in South-East and Eastern Europe ought to be careful. In Central Europe however where this unit is mostly sold, they are bound by law to honor a two-year warranty in all cases. The warranty has been confirmed by Xilence to be 2 years for everybody. The source (Realhardtechx’s database) is wrong here.

Packaging and accessories

The box is rather small and besides informing us of the unit’s basic features, half of which are already required by new UESR EU regulations anyways, it also claims to possess Superior Airflow (Superior to what?) and that it is Graphics Card Ready (oh yes please). The XP400R6 chassis itself is packed inside a bubble-wrap bag…but that’s it. There’s also a small piece of foam by the exhaust grill, but I have no idea why.

Oh look, on the back here they’ve given us the cable lengths and a power distribution table. Nothing about the power output there! Ha ha, nice one Xilence. That part is conveniently hidden in the right bottom corner – “400W Peak Power”. Great. How much can it do continuous? Oh damn, that little bit of crucial information is nowhere to be found on the box…

Only hidden away in the datasheet on their website is the actual 250W continuous rating mentioned. In the box there’s also a manual, power cord and 4 black screws.

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