PSU BUYER’S GUIDE Thermaltake SMART 730W $99.99 www.thermaltakeusa.com BUYER’S GUIDE PC Power & Cooling Silencer Mk III 600W $89.99 www.pcpower.com Why You’ll Dig It: The SMART Series from Ther- maltake drops many of the bells and whistles you’ll find on higher-end Ther- maltake models, but it still provides the reliability you want in a PSU. For example, double-forward switching circuitry lowers power loss to improve lifespan, and active PFC delivers clean, reliable power. You’ll also enjoy overcurrent, overvoltage, overpower, and short-circuit protection. Who Should Apply: Those looking for a new power supply (or want replace an existing PSU) that will work for the life- time of their computer. Total Power: 730 watts Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (56A) 80 PLUS Certification: Standard PSU PSU Why You’ll Dig It: The Mk III in- troduces modular cables to PC Power & Cooling’s popular Silencer lineup. This 600W PSU features two 4+4-pin +12V CPU cables and two 6+2-pin PCI-E power connectors to provide compatibility with high-end components. PC Power & Cooling indicates that the Silencer Mk III offers up to 90% less noise per watt than traditional power supplies. Who Should Apply: Those building a system with a single, high-power GPU and want consistent and quiet performance from their PSU. Total Power: 600 watts Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (46A) 80 PLUS Certification: Bronze BUYER’S GUIDE PSU BUYER’S GUIDE Logisys AT750BK Rosewill HIVE-550 $79.99 www.elogisys.com $79.99 www.rosewill.com Why You’ll Dig It: This power supply features an elegant wrinkle black finish. It offers a 6+2-pin and 6-pin PCI-E cable to pro- vide support for a high-end graphics card (or two mid- range graphics cards), as well as six SATA connectors and four Molex connectors. Logisys tests the AT750BK at 50 C, and it’s also 100% hi-pot and function (Chroma) tested. Why You’ll Dig It: The single- rail HIVE-550 provides you with 38A, as well as two 6+2-pin PCI-E connec- tors to power one high-end graphics cards or two GPUs that each require only one PCI-E connector. The HIVE- 550 offers a maximum efficiency of 87%, a high efficiency rating for such an affordable power supply Who Should Apply: Occasional gamers and everyday users. Who Should Apply: PSU buyers looking for a good value that will still support a high-end graphics card. Total Power: 750 watts Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (62A) 80 PLUS Certification: Standard 64 March 2012 / www.computerpoweruser.com Total Power: 550 watts Number Of +12V Rails: 1 (38A) 80 PLUS Certification: Bronze