eTeknix » Power Supplies

Thermaltake Dr Power II Power Supply Tester Review

Jake Sedge — Fri, 25 May 2012 05:29:26 +0000

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Thermaltake is a company that has been around for over a decade and has rose to fame by producing high-quality, innovative PC power and cooling products. Well known for their iconic Level 10 chassis and enthusiast power supplies, Thermaltake has been leading the way in terms of cooling product, chassis and PSU design.

PSUs are the unsung heros of just about every PC, after all, they don’t have the most glamorous job! They don’t improve your FPS, they won’t make your PC more responsive nor will they allow your components to run faster- they do the very simple job of giving power.

Although the job of a PSU seems simple enough, but the way it carries out it’s job even more important as the way a GPU produces a video output.

If a PSU isn’t up to the job, it can have literally explosive consequences. Not only is there the issue of poor quality units going bang, but when your computer stops working properly, no POST error code, it causes a huge headache when it comes to fault finding. PSUs are notoriously difficult to test, even if you get the PSU up and running you don’ t know if it distributing power properly or within a safe voltage range.

This is where Thermaltake’s Dr Power II steps in! This device is designed to be easy to use and instantly tell you whether or not a PSU is doing it’s job properly or if it is operating outside of an acceptable standard.

It is a pocket sized device that has 5 connectors and a power button making it usable by anyone and useful to anyone from a from a first time PC builder to a PC repair service doing diagnostic testing on computers.

The design of the Dr Power II gives it two primary functions, to test whether a power supply is working or not, and to check that it is operating within a safe voltage. Although this device is no replacement for full load testing equipment as it is unable to place a load on the unit, it would be able to instantly tell you whether or not a unit is ‘any good’.

For example, I have an old OEM PC with a 300W PSU, despite the fact that this device didn’t put a load on the unit it could tell me it was operating outside of ATX spec.

In addition, it told me that my cheap iCute PSU was just within the margins, so I could tell that the unit was unreliable and wouldn’t be up to the task at high loads.

However, to really test the quality of a unit you would require a vast and expensive array of testing equipment like we use for our power supply reviews, in comparison the Dr Power II is a useful ‘rule of thumb’ for testing quality and an essential device for checking functionality.

On the front of the device we can see the large screen and a simple design which contains some degree of styling. When in use, it is illuminated with a bright blue blacklight that clearly displays the black text that shows the voltages of the power rails.

Although the unit cannot show the voltage of the different 12V rails at once, pressing the power button allow you to measure the voltages from each connector, allowing you to check every 12V rail.

The button at the side is the only input method which makes the device outrageously easy to use!

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At the bottom is the connector for a 20 or 24-Pin ATX power connector, plugging this in will cause the blue screen to light up.

At the top there are 4 connectors, an EPS power connector for 4-pin or 8-pin, a PCIe connector for 8-pin or 6-pin, a MOLEX connector and a SATA connector. I’d have liked to have seen the PCIe and EPS connectors labelled because it is very difficult to tell the difference. They are however colour coded.

There are two ways of testing- by holding down the button for more than 5 seconds the device will automatically cycle through the different connectors and display the voltages. Should the result be below standard, it will turn red and beep.

To test manually, just tap the button and you can flick through the different connectors by tapping the button. Same principles apply if the voltage is outside of ATX spec.

The only feature I would have liked to have seen would be an option to use it as a device for starting PSUs which would be a useful tool for PC enthusiasts, especially watercoolers, who would be likely to buy this product. As much as a paperclip does the job, something a little more refined wouldn’t go amiss and would be a useful and easy feature to implement.

In conclusion, the Thermaltake Dr Power II is in incredibly useful tool that allows users ranging from first time builders fault finding their system to PC repair people to quickly and easily test power supplies to check whether they are functioning and how well they are doing their job.

In my opinion, every PC enthusiast should own one of these- if you like to constantly upgrade and tweak your system, it’s inevitable that something is eventually going to go wrong which can be extremely stressful, especially when you don’t get any POST diagnostic codes or when the system will power on for a second and instantly switch off, in these instances it is often left down to intuition or guesswork and can often lead to expensive, time consuming and unnecessary RMAs of products that actually work fine.

Power supplies are notoriously difficult to test- the only indications that they are actually working is a spinning fan and a powered up system, so when your system does not power up you may know that the PSU is on, but whether or not is distributing it’s power correctly is a different matter.

Dr Power II is an invaluable tool to have when you are trying to fault-find your PC, even if you buy it and it lays in your drawer for two years and you only end up using it once, it is still worth it’s money as a non-starting system can cost a fortune in cash and aggravation RMAing working components where a simple tool such as this would be able to tell you the answer instantly.

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Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 800W Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 22:52:48 +0000

Thortech is a brand that I’m sure no one has heard of before and for good reason. Until recently, the Thortech team has been part of GeIL and has handled the R&D for their PSUs for over 15 years, however it is only recently that GeIL has taken the decision to launch a new series of PSUs under the subsidiary of Thortech. I am expecting this change in branding is a PR move that signifies a higher level of performance than what GeIL power supplies were offering. Being as this is a brand new series of power supply being launched under a new brand, we’re not quite sure what to expect from Thortech!

We recently took a look at Thortech’s standard unit- the Thortech Thunderbolt 1000W and found it to be a very stable and high quality unit aimed primarily at gamers. Their higher end series, the Thunderbolt Plus is targeted at the same audience and has more advanced features than the standard version. The question is, will gamers find these additional features useful enough to give this unit an edge over it’s competition? The only real fault we found with the standard unit is that it’s pricing was not competitive enough, but for only a marginal increase in price the Plus version offers a significant difference in spec and features.

The Thunderbolt Plus series is Thortech’s second line of PSUs designed for the same market as the standard Thunderbolt units but with a few improvements and added features designed to give it that edge which the standard version doesn’t really have.

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Enermax MaxRevo 1350W Fully Modular Power Supply Review

Jake Sedge — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:42:04 +0000

Enermax is my personal favourite PSU manufacturer- and with good reason. Enermax uses the right kind of design approach which keeps them extremely popular with enthusiasts and professionals, with the focus primarily on quality while building useful features and a good aesthetic design around it. They have created some very different PSUs over the years, ranging from cheaper models such as the NAXN to the MaxRevo we will be looking at today. But take the price point as low as you like, you will still receive the quality which has gained Enermax such acclaim from reviewers and enthusiasts alike.

As we have seen in the past, Enermax consistently produce high quality power supplies, however every now and again when Secunda and Masser align on a blue moon the engineers at Enermax decide to design something outstanding. The MaxRevo is the result of some of the best PSU designers in the world creating a power supply that is designed to be the best, with little consideration for silly things like money. To review something like this always makes me smile as it is a breath of fresh air from generic high-performance PSUs which are generally very similar- I’m sure that Enermax will be bringing something new to the table with this unit.

The MaxRevo is Enermax’s flagship unit and comes in three versions- 1200W, 1350W and 1500W which says a lot about the target user! This unit is clearly targeted towards professionals and true enthusiasts wanting the very best from their rigs which only the power and quality of such a PSU could provide.

The post Enermax MaxRevo 1350W Fully Modular Power Supply Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Corsair TX750M 750W Modular Power Supply Review

Jake Sedge — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:49:56 +0000

Corsair are widely renowned for their top-quality components ranging from RAM to cases that cater for the enthusiast market. One area where Corsair has always delivered are power supplies- Corsair has always provided high-quality units ranging from their budget Builder series all the way up the enthusiast AX-series.

In terms of power supplies, Corsair are famed for providing high-quality units for the enthusiast market, especially in the 1Kw+ range, which means that quite often Corsair units are chosen purely for the performance while price is put aside. However, the unit I’m going to be reviewing provides enthusiast-grade performance without the price premium one may expect. I believe that this is a smart move by Corsair as it allows their higher end products to be accessible by the mainstream market which increases sales for the manufacturer and results in more satisfied customers. However, to deliver enthusiast-level performance for a mainstream price must result in some corner cutting somewhere, surely? This, we will discover.

The Corsair TX-series is the company’s enthusiast line of PSUs, designed to provide high-performance PSUs for those who want to get the most out of their system whether it be by tweaking, overclocking or modding which will benefit from the clean power this unit can supply. The market is made very clear as it falls above the Builder and Gamer series and below the Professional and Professional Gold series, so very little perceptive thinking is required to deduce the target users- you may retire, Dr Watson.

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Thortech Thunderbolt 1000W Modular Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 05:38:01 +0000

Thortech is a brand that I’m sure no one has heard of before and for good reason. Until recently, the Thortech team has been part of GeIL and has handled the R&D for their PSUs for over 15 years, however it is only recently that GeIL has taken the decision to launch a new series of PSUs under the subsidiary of Thortech. I am expecting this change in branding is a PR move that signifies a higher level of performance than what GeIL power supplies were offering. Being as this is a brand new series of power supply being launched under a new brand, we’re not quite sure what to expect from Thortech!

I was surprised to see this unit being priced at around £150, especially for a new brand as it means that the unit will be competing with many of the more well known and time-tested units on the market, so Thortech should be ready to impress us with this unit. The unit has all the credentials of a high end PSU, solid caps, high temperature rating and high-end packaging, but will it perform when it comes to our tests? It’s very difficult to tell how Thortech will approach this unit- it’s not cheap and it hasn’t got much in the way of unique features, so I guess I should be expecting great performance? We shall see!

The Thunderbolt series is Thortech’s first line on PSUs released alongside their Thunderbolt Plus series. Don’t be fooled into thinking this unit is the same as the equivalent Thunderbolt Plus unit but without a power meter- the Thunderbolt Plus series uses completely different internals and a single rail design. It’ll be interesting to see how the two units compare with each other when I review their other offerings.

The post Thortech Thunderbolt 1000W Modular Power Supply Unit Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Cougar G800 GX-Series 800W Power Supply Review

Jake Sedge — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 08:42:24 +0000

Cougar is a company that few have heard of, even in Europe, a very small number would have them in their ‘recommended power supply manufacturer list’ which they would either consider for their own rigs or recommend to others. However, those who do recommend Cougar PSUs are the ones who have used them- and for very good reason! Cougar is actually a subsidiary of Compucase and handle all the power supply R&D work. They have gained a strong reputation for quality among the small but growing market they market to. I can foresee large orders of Cougar units hitting major UK retailers and the shores of the USA in the near future!

Cougar takes a slightly different approach to most manufacturers which is owed to their status as a true PSU manufacturer rather than a case manufacturer with a PSU branch. Cougar are able to build their PSUs from the ground up using their experience in PSU manufacturing. Cougar are going to be facing some very tough competition from the likes of Antec and Corsair who seem to be dominating the PSU market in Europe, however their main competitor will most likely be Enermax as both companies are dedicated PSU manufacturers and aim to supply high quality units, we’ll how they will compete later.

The GX-series is Cougar’s top-of-the-line family that features 80+ Gold Certification with up to 93% efficiency, a semi-modular design and many other features that are typical of a high end PSU. With the many technologies employed by Cougar, and the high build quality, we are expecting great things from this unit!

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Antec High Current Pro 1200W Modular Power Supply Review

Jake Sedge — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 00:02:01 +0000

As a reviewer, I always look forward to reviewing an Antec power supply, primarily due to fact that they really know how to make a good one! Antec has been around since 1986 and has risen to the elite class of PSU manufacturers for no other reason than quality. Antec has made a real mark on the hardware enthusiast market, primarily with their power supplies and cases, to a point where just about any enthusiast that has been building for a few years would have owned an Antec product at some point.

There are so many power supplies on the market that all perform just as well on paper that it is very difficult to pick one out from the group. However, as we move up to this high-wattage range the competition starts to thin out and the customers are more knowledgeable about what they are looking for in a power supply. This means that, in this 1kW+ market, high quality units will often sell over gimmicky or lower quality units as the user knows what to look for- which is where Antec comes into their own.

The Antec High Current Pro series distinguishes itself from the High Current Gamer series in a statement that these units exceed the needs and expectations of gamers, and instead provides the performance and reliability that an enthusiast or professional would demand. Antec entrusted this task to Delta Electronics, who are considered one of the best PSU manufacturers around.

The Antec High Current Pro 1200W unit is a result of a ‘no holds barred’ approach by Antec who have clearly designed this product for enthusiasts and professionals looking for the best power available for their high end system.

The post Antec High Current Pro 1200W Modular Power Supply Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Enermax NAXN 850W Modular Power Supply Review

Jake Sedge — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 07:39:21 +0000

When you think of quality power supplies, a few names always spring to mind- Antec, Corsair and of course, Enermax. They are one of the more established companies, being around since 1990, and have made a reputation by consistently producing some of the finest power supplies on the market such as the Modu87+ we reviewed previously.

The NAXN series, however, comes with a twist- Enermax is one of the few top manufacturers that make their own PSUs rather than rebranding OEM units. The NAXN series caters for the more budget-orientated enthusiast, so to keep costs down, Enermax has opted to use an OEM by the name of Sirfa which is a company from whom we have not yet seen produce any PSUs, although until recently they produced units as a part of Sirtec which are one of the most established manufacturers in the business. We have seen Enermax take this approach in the past with their other budget units, which have all kept up Enermax’s quality reputation.

Despite using an OEM to produce this unit, the NAXN is far from a budget power supply. It targets itself at the high end of the power supply market and being marketed as an ideal choice for gamers. However, at such a price point the NAXN will really have to prove itself in terms of performance and quality to remain a practical choice for gamers- competing with units such as the cheaper Corsar TX850 and XFX Pro 850W. Whether the NAXN pulls this off or not, we shall see later.

The unit we will be taking a look at is the Enermax Naxn 850W which seems to be the replacement for their old Pro 82+ PSUs with similar features but with more up to date wattages and all sorts of internal changes. Like the Pro 82+ units, this caters for the high-end gamer looking for a top quality PSU for a fair price.

The post Enermax NAXN 850W Modular Power Supply Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Corsair Professional Series HX1050 Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 22:34:56 +0000

Corsair are widely renowned for their top-quality components ranging from RAM to cases that cater for the enthusiast market. One area where Corsair has always delivered are power supplies- Corsair has always provided high-quality units ranging from their budget Builder series all the way up the enthusiast AX-series.

Both the high and mid range PSU markets are heavily saturated with the vast majority of case manufacturers jumping on the PSU bandwagon, as a result, many manufacturers looks to sell their products with various USPs such as the NeteQ unit I reviewed a while ago that had an advanced fan control system, or units that dress to impress bringing a vast array of LEDs and unique paint jobs to the table. What I respect Corsair for is sticking to their current market and trying to beat the competition with raw performance the old fashioned way rather than coming up with ‘innovative’ ideas that turn out to be useless. Because, let’s face it, a PSU has a boring job that does not require any additional accesories to operate more effectively, it just wants to be placed into the corner of the chassis and left to do it’s job! That is exactly what Corsair have been good at for many years, providing raw power and performace that will look pretty and give you no worries for many years to come.

The unit we will be taking a look at is Corsair’s HX1050 which is the replacement for the slightly aged HX1000 and provides a slight efficiency boost as well as a completely different power delivery method which we will take a look at later. The HX1050 is an enthusiast grade product that is delivered at a lower price point than the premium AX units, but what does this unit sacrifice to lower the costs? That, we shall find out later.

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NZXT HALE90 750W Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 22:17:00 +0000

NZXT is one of the better known case manufacturers, known for their unique aesthetic design and great looking cases. However, recently NZXT has been moving into the enthusiast end of the market- most notably with their new Phantom cases and high-end PSUs.

There is not much you can criticise modern power supplies for being, the efficiency is getting better and better, wattage and stability is increasing and more and more units are becoming modular. But their is one thing that 99% of PSUs are guilty of- being incredibly boring! Almost all units are plain black boxes which hide in the corner of your case working away. NZXT break this mould by going with the increasingly popular white and black colour scheme that sets it aside from the others in terms of aesthetics which hopefully signifies a new level of performance.

It seems that NZXT want to make a bold statement with their first PSU line, but as we know from experience, bold statements are not always the best ones! However, the brand new appearance is just concealing the beast within as the HALE90 packs a serious punch- on paper anyway. The most obvious feature is the 80+ Gold certification that instantly tells us that this is an enthusiast model. Not only will it be lighter on your electricity bills, the higher efficiency means that there will be less energy wasted as heat, which when combined with an NZXT-branded 140mm fan, means a very cool and quiet PSU. NZXT also takes on the credentials of all top-end PSUs by featuring a top quality construction made from Japanese solid capacitors and a well designed topography while featuring a modular design and many different protection capabilities for added reassurance. NZXT manage to deliver all of this at a low price point of around £120 which makes it the cheapest 80+ PSU in that range of wattage.

So, the HALE90 certainly seems to offer a lot at a good price point, but how will it fare in our new extremely rigorous test procedure that can be explored further by reading our Power Supply Testing Methodology.

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eTeknix Power Supply Testing Methodology

Jake Sedge — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:29:00 +0000

Here at eTeknix, we take our PSU reviews very seriously! I have always considered the power supply to be the most important part of a PC, although it does not have a very glamorous job like a graphics card or CPU- it has an extremely important one. As you know, the power supply has to provide power to your components; however you may not know just how precise and accurate the power being supplied has to be. In short, if you start feeding components with poor quality power, the results will be either devastating or silent- as a bad power supply reduces the longevity of sensitive components. The results can also be dangerous to the user, which is something I hadn’t believed until a few days ago where I managed to give myself an electric shock by touching the chassis of a PC fitted with an X-branded’ PSU, but that is a story for another time! We have also seen the explosive results of the infamous Hiper Type-R Power Supplies which were notorious for going pop and taking many components with them.

Unfortunately, many consider their choice of PSU as an afterthought which is determined by the remainder of the budget after choosing their main components. However, what is more unfortunate is when people are misled into purchasing PSUs based on false facts such as when I built my first PC from a PSU I bought from a major highstreet electronics retailer which, after testing recently, I found to be outside of ATX voltage specifications and 80+ specs which is, put simply, very dangerous. This is why we are committed to providing you with accurate and reliable information on which you can safely base your product choice.

I have been working at eTeknix for a little while now and have reviewed many types of products; I also used to run the review site Gundog Reviews so I have reviewed just about every type of PC component on offer. Recently however, our glorious leader- Don Andy decided that, instead of reviewing odd bits and pieces, the reviewers should specialise on a certain type of product. I volunteered to do PSUs as I have a great interest in electronics and immediately saw the opportunity to take things apart and poke around inside of them. Not only that, but eTeknix has recently invested in a vast array of PSU testing equipment which I was even more interested to try- which is what this article is all about.

The post eTeknix Power Supply Testing Methodology appeared first on eTeknix.

Designcord 5 Metre Autorewind Cable Reel Extension Lead Review

Andy Ruffell — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 14:41:57 +0000

We are primarily a hardware review website, but from time to time we may take a look at a gadget or electrical product that isn’t made as such for computers but still has a good connection with the principle behind them. Our curiosity is always peaked when we see an item that is different from the norm and breaks the mould as they say.

Today certainly does that as we take a look at a very unique item from the Netherlands. Designcord are a fairly new company who believe they can offer a solution to some of the most common faced problems with power extension leads and cable reels.

That brings us on to the product we’re looking at today. Designcord have come up with a autorewinding cable reel extension lead that has a lot of unique features including fixed sockets and overheating protection but is this really an answer to what consumers want or is it just a fad that no one really wants?

Features

Stop cables from being tangled

Simple to use

Automatic rewind

Fixed sockets

Child and overheating protection

Specifications

[TABLE=class: grid, width: 100%]
[TR]
[TD]Model[/TD]
[TD]AR-EUC-5-UKB[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Socket[/TD]
[TD]Type G (UK)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Plug[/TD]
[TD]Type G (UK)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Length[/TD]
[TD]5 metres[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Wire[/TD]
[TD]H05VVF3G 1.0 mm2[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Specification[/TD]
[TD]220V/-250V~50HZ, 10A/230V~2200W[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Warranty[/TD]
[TD]24 months[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]EAN barcode[/TD]
[TD]8717371695859[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

The post Designcord 5 Metre Autorewind Cable Reel Extension Lead Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Nesteq ASM Xzero 600W Semi-Fanless Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Tue, 31 May 2011 22:16:00 +0000

Compared with companies such as Corsair and Enermax, NesteQ is a relatively small company when it comes to PSUs. When I told a few of my friends about this PSU, the majority of them had never even heard on NesteQ. However, for those of us who have been following PC hardware for a while will know that NesteQ is famed for their quiet PSUs and other products aimed at reducing noise from your system. This new PSU is no exception.

Modern PSUs are generally made from the same mould; a large fan on the bottom, a grill at the back, a power switch and the necessary internals. Although one manufacturer will sometimes bring new aesthetic designs to the table the general functionality of a PSU remains fairly standard. However, NesteQ have set these guidelines aside and have crafted a truly unique product.

In this review we will be taking a look at Nesteq’s Xzero PSU and what it can offer in comparison to the vast majority of power supplies on the market. And most importantly, are these new features genuinely useful or just gimmicks to raise the price? We shall be finding out about that and more later on.

Features

Highly efficient heat pipe cooling

Active PFC (Power Factor Correction)

Up to 89% Efficiency

ATX12V Version 2.2

EPS12V Version 2.91

BTX Version 1.0a

+12V Power – Plus Technology

Advanced Silent Mode Technology

Stack Effect Cooling Solution (SECS)

Power Monitoring Panel

Enhanced Easy Connecting System

Over Power / Voltage / Current / Temperature protection

Short Circuit Protection

Specifications

This unit comes in 4 flavours, 400,500,600 and 700W which all have different power characteristics. We will be testing the 600W model. NesteQ clearly take muli-rail technology seriously as all versions of the Xzero have 4 rails apart from the 700W version which has a massive 6 rails! Take note that on the 600W version the amperage on 12V rails 3 and 4 are lower that 1 and 2 so be sure to balance them accordingly.

The post Nesteq ASM Xzero 600W Semi-Fanless Power Supply Unit Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Antec TruePower New 750W Power Supply Unit Review

Jake Sedge — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 22:22:00 +0000

Antec are one of the oldest suppliers in the market today, celebrating their 25th year in the business. They are famed for their high quality PSUs and cases, of which their popularity has stood the test of time. In this review we will be seeing if one of Antec’s newer PSUs is a testament to the reputation Antec has earned.

There are a ton of power supplies on the market today all claiming to have various features and specifications that they may or may not have. Now people are becoming more aware about the importance of their power supply they are looking for good quality units rather than the cheapest or prettiest. Antec certainly have experience behind them, but how will their TruePower New 750W match up to the competition from competitors?

We will be taking a very close look at Antec’s Truepower New PSU and if it matches up to the superior reliability and stability that the previous generation Truepower PSUs offered. The unit is manufactured by Seasonic and uses a similar internal design to Seasonic’s own M12D which offers the same stability that the TP-750 is expected to have. Seasonic have been around even longer than Antec and are also famed for top quality PSUs. Considering this, we are expecting the TP-750 to be a quality performer.

Taken from the Antec website:

Antec, Inc., is the leading global brand of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) markets. Founded in 1986, Antec is recognized as a pioneer in these industries and has maintained its position as a worldwide market leader and international provider of efficient, quiet, and reliable products. Antec has also achieved great success in the distribution channel, meeting the demands of quality-conscious system builders, VARs and integrators.
Antec’s offering of enclosures includes a large range of cases, such as its technically advanced Performance One Series, cost-effective New Solution Series and server grade cases designed for the needs of all workstation and server markets. Antec’s products also include front line power supplies such as its TruePower Trio series, Quattro series, and EarthWatts, the most environmentally friendly power supplies available. PC gamers are an increasingly significant consumer of performance components, and many Antec products are geared toward the gaming demographic, like the Nine Hundred, the premier gamer enclosure. Antec also offers a computing accessories line comprised of many original products, including its patented LED Fans and Notebook Cooling solutions.

Features
[HR][/HR]

NVIDIA SLI – ready certified

80PLUS® Bronze Certified

DC to DC voltage regulator modules

120mm PWM fan

Advanced Modular Hybrid Cable Management

Double layer PCB

Universal Input and Active Power Factor Correction

Supports dual GPUs and multi core CPUs

4x 12V Rails

ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12V v2.91

2 x 6 pin and 2 x 8 (6+2) pin PCI-E graphics card connectors

Industrial grade protection

Designed my Seasonic

Specifications
[HR][/HR]

The specs are pretty tasty boasting four 25A 12V rails with strict regulation and equally powerful 5V and 3.3V rails which are produced by a DC-DC conversion system which has been proven to be very efficient.

The post Antec TruePower New 750W Power Supply Unit Review appeared first on eTeknix.

Enermax MODU87+ 800W Modular Power Supply Unit Review

Andy Ruffell — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:57:00 +0000

Enermax have been in the market for quite some time and have earned their rightful place as a market leader when it comes to power supplies offering up units suitable for every type of system. With entry level 350W power supplies to 1250W premium class sporting 80 Plus efficiency ratings, you’ll be hard pressed to fault their product selection.

Once you’ve decided on the amount of juice needed to power your rig, you then have more choice as to what style of power supply you’d like from a fixed cable solution to the more favoured modular. With all this in mind, you also have to think about price.

Today sees us taking a look at the Modu87+ 800W power supply with its 80PLUS gold certification aimed at users wanting the very best features and the cleanest form of power.

Taken from the Enermax website:

Enermax Technology Corporation was founded in Taiwan in 1990 and today is one of the leading manufacturers of PC components (power supplies, PC cases, cooling fans, keyboards, HDD enclosures and other peripherals). Since 2000 the head quarter is located in Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Six subsidiaries and numerous affiliates around the world provide an excellent network for ODM/OEM and retail business. Enermax has subsidiaries in Germany, France, Italy, USA, Japan and China. Worldwide, over 600 employees work for Enermax. Since 2004, the Enermax Technology Corporation is listed at the Taiwanese stock exchange.

Features

80PLUS® GOLD

87 to 93 percent efficiency @ 230V and 20 to 100 percent load. 80PLUS® Gold certified

Dynamic Hybrid Transformer Topology

Technological breakthrough topology using a staged dynamic transformer array for extremely high efficiency with the most durable and stable output at any load

Intel ATX12V v2.3

Compliant with latest desktop power supply design guide. Full support of most current CPU: Intel® Core 2 Duo / Quad / Extreme / i7 / i5 / i3 and AMD® Athlon 64X2/X4 or Phenom X3/X4

Stable and reliable power

Up to four high-performance and massive 12V rails. Extremely low ripple noise

Future ready and flexible

All-round modular cable management. 10/12P sockets for possible connector changes of upcoming high-performance CPU and graphics card generations

DXXI ready!

Full support of most current DX11 graphics cards due to minimum two 6+2P (8P) PCI-E connectors

Full graphics power

Supports SLI and CrossFireX systems

C6 & Hybrid Support

Supports energy saving modes of current and future CPU & GPU generations (C6 & Hybrid Mode) due to ZERO LOAD Design (no minimum load)

Fit4Server (only Modu87+ 800/900W)

SSI PSDG 2009 Support for latest Intel® and AMD® processors. Downward compatible with SSI PSDG 2008 1.0, EPS12V 2.92, 2.91 and 2.8

Air Cooling by Enermax

Integrated 13.9cm fan with patented Twister Bearing Technology ensures efficient and ultra silent cooling and long lifetime (100,000 hours MTBF)

SpeedGuard

Unmatched 330RPM at low loads. Path breaking and leading patented fan control for optimal cooling and minimum noise (Modu87+ 800/900W: 700-1.800RPM)

HeatGuard

Keeping PSU fan running for 30-60 seconds after shut down to dissipate the remaining system heat and prolonging system lifetime

Hybrid Capacitor Array

High-performance capacitor array of heavy-duty solid state capacitors and Japanese electrolytic capacitors to ensure tightest DC stability and regulation

SafeGuard

Industry-leading octuple protection circuitry of OCP, OVP, AC UVP, DC UVP, OPP, OTP, SCP & SIP

CordGuard

Fixing the AC cord tightly to avoid accidental shutdowns of your PC

Non-stop @ 50°C

Non-Stop industrial class performance at 50°C ambient

Worldwide Compatibility

100-240V AC input with automatic adjustment and up to 99% active Power Factor Correction (PFC) for global usage

ENERGY STAR 5.0 ready!

Support computer system to meet ENERGY STAR 5.0 standard.

Dimensions (W x H x D)

500/600/700W: 150mm x 86mm x 160mm / 800/900W: 150mm x 86mm x 175mm

Warranty

5 years vendor warranty

Specifications

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