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Spotlight March 2010 • Vol.10 Issue 3 Page(s) 54-70 in print issue |
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Time For A Power-Up PSU Buyer’s Guide |
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We’re all for a pullback from insanity, whether it’s in the news or in PSUs. Lately we’ve seen much of the focus shift away from spectacles such as 1,600W models and other oddities rated for more wattage than most home outlets can supply. Fittingly after the consecutive crises of energy pricing and financial slumpage, today’s power supply makers want you to know that their wares will save you money. Efficiency is the name of the game these days. Before you scoff, bear in mind that efficiency makes the difference between the 4-cylinder engines in a college commuter and a turbocharged rally racer—in other words, all the difference in the world. PSU contestants win medals for their energy efficiency based on the guidelines of the 80 Plus program (www.80plus.org). With a few exceptions, most PSUs on the market today are modular, so you can attach the device and accessory cables you need and leave out the rest. A few vendors even field fully modular power supplies, perhaps for upgradability reasons in anticipation of future motherboards that may use different main harness connections. However, the undeniable majority of modular units are only partly modular: They still have a few native (nondetachable) cables for at least the main power leads all compatible motherboards need. On the other hand, some users prefer natively cabled PSUs because they don’t suffer from the small bit of resistance introduced by a modular model’s extra connections. Several brands cater to these folks. Other common features in early 2010 include split connectors, such as 6-pin PCI-E plugs with an extra 2-pin clip-on for graphics cards with 8-pin sockets. Large, thermally regulated fans are de rigueur these days, with PWM (pulse width modulation)-controlled blowers being the most exciting because of their ability to spin at very low rpm. And after the traumatic experience of Capacitorgate in the early 2000s, PSU vendors will go out of their way to brag about their superbly reliable capacitors. There’s more going on, of course. In the following pages, we’ll touch on developments in transformers, VRMs (voltage regulation modules), fan bearings, and automatic fan speed controllers. Zalman has even dared to replace the time-honored aluminum heatsink with liquid-filled heatpipes in particular models. So far, there haven’t been many refinements in cabling, aside from modular vs. non-modular, despite the increasing popularity of custom sleeving. Of course, if you don’t want to sleeve your own cables, companies such as Performance-PCs.com can do it for you for a fee. Oh, and a note on SLI and Crossfire X certification: Just because a power supply’s specs don’t list one or the other doesn’t mean you won’t be able to use two or more Nvidia or ATI graphics cards with it. PSU makers must follow a procedure to submit their wares for official SLI and Crossfire testing, and they don’t always bother to do so with every model they make. In any case, SLI and Crossfire have evolved over the years to encompass the latest GPUs of the times, which has been an ever-changing procession. Moreover, the fine print of a particular power supply’s certification lists the top family of graphics adapters it was able to power during the testing process. For instance, a PSU might receive an SLI or Crossfire blessing for a pair of card X, but not for a duo of the more powerful card Y. Manufacturers don’t always mention that part, preferring to brand their PSUs with generic SLI or Crossfire X badges and leave it at that. As you can see, this issue is a can of worms, only twice as slippery. If you’re curious as to which contenders can reliably power which graphics cards, refer to tinyurl.com/2klo8h for Nvidia adapters or tinyurl.com/5t9l7w for ATI models. Finally, be aware that some manufacturers sell their PSUs by maximum power ratings, while others focus on the wattage their products can continuously supply (usually at 230V, which gives better numbers than the 115V power commonly on tap in wall outlets in the States). Therefore, we used price instead of power as the differentiator among our high-end, midrange, and budget categories. Several respondents alerted us to rebate offers, too, so shop wisely.  by Marty Sems HIGH END
Why we dig it: Smart Cable Management makes it easy to tailor this modular PSU’s wiring to your needs. It’s 80 Plus Bronze-certified to be energy efficient, and it can handle even Quad SLI, AeroCool says. It certainly has enough connectors for just about any combination of cards. Who should apply: Die-hard multi-GPU gamers and GPGPU enthusiasts with windowed PCs that can show off the look of LEDs over a carbon-fiber-style finish. Total power: 1,000W (800W version shown) Why we dig it: Top-flight capacitors, DC-to-DC VRMs, and Antec’s Power-Cache capacitor technology virtually eliminate brownouts. An 80 Plus Silver, 85% efficiency rating reduces heat output and electricity bills, while a PWM-controlled fan keeps things quiet. Who should apply: Enthusiasts withzero tolerance for power sags, instability, and noise. Total power: 1,200W continuous Why we dig it: BFG’s flagship power supply can automatically switch frequencies according to its load, even very light or heavy ones, and thus maintain the efficiency that earned it an 80 Plus certification. Who should apply: Power users looking for a modular PSU that can efficiently run graphics cards with 8-pin PCI-E 2.0 power requirements. Total power: 1,200W continuous (40 C) Why we dig it: Silicone rubber pads absorb vibration while a PWM-controlled fan minimizes fan noise. This modular monster has long, flat cables for high airflow and maximum manageability. Who should apply: Pros and gamers who insist on a single rail and build quality that merits a 5-year warranty. Total power: 1,000W continuous, 1,200W peak Why we dig it: Even if we hadn’t already experienced Corsair PSU reliability firsthand, this model’s 105 C solid-state capacitors and 50 C testing temperature would have tipped us off. Modular cabling and 80 Plus power efficiency certification round out the highlights. Who should apply: Users with a lot of hardware to run on a rock-solid foundation. Total power: 1,000W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: It’s 87% efficient or better, which means that this 80 Plus Gold-winning Enermax loses less energy as waste heat than just about any other PSU. It’s ready for not only 8-pin PCI-E-powered GPUs but also 10- and even 12-pin ones, should they appear in the future. Who should apply: Power users willing to spend a little more now to save a lot over time. Total power: 700W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: Sir, yes, sir! The funky military theme piques our interest in this all-out brawler. An astonishing brace of eight 6+2-pin PCI-E leads leaves no doubt that Quad SLI is easily within reach. This modular PSU’s cables feature In Win's own finger-friendly Molex connectors—they're patented. Japanese capacitors and other components tick off other checkboxes on your list. Who should volunteer: Martially minded multicard modders. Total power: 1,200W Why we dig it: That's a roger: This Commander echoes the warfare capability of its 1.2kW senior officer, but it won’t empty your treasury of war bonds. It conserves strategic resources with an 80 Plus rating and maintains radio silence with a stealthy 140mm fan. Who should apply: Gung-ho gamers and modders who don’t mind going Commander. Total power: 850W Why we dig it: It isn’t everyday that you can score a power supply with an efficiency of better than 90%, and thus an 80 Plus Gold rating. This enticing PSU is built to withstand testing under industrial conditions, so it’s more than solid enough for your LAN brawler or graphical workstation. The deathly quiet unit comes with a 5-year warranty with an easy exchange system. Who should apply: Discriminating upgraders who expect to get what they pay for. Total power: 1,000W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: As its name explicitly states, you’ll hear little or nothing from this high-wattage unit’s 135mm fan. And PC Power’s legendary heritage in no-compromise, industrial design should give you peace of mind long after the 5-year warranty period. Who should apply: Users who know that 80 Plus Silver power savings, quiet operation, bedrock stability, and nearly a kilowatt of energy are all they really need. Total power: 950W Why we dig it: Zalman means quiet. The manufacturer’s CNPS (Computer Noise Prevention System) endows this major PSU with dual heatpipes and a 140mm fan. Thick, 16AWG cabling reduces voltage loss, Zalman says, and dual 6+2-pin and twin 6-pin PCI-E connectors declare this unit ready to rock, Quad SLI style. Who should apply: Video editors, multimonitor hounds, and gaming freaks. Total power: 1,000W Why we dig it: This one supplies most of the great features of the modular Zalman ZM1000-HP in a regular SLI version for 6-pin PCI-E-powered cards. The dual-heatpiped ZM750-HP gets away with a slightly smaller 120mm fan and still earns an 80 Plus efficiency rating. Who should apply: Avid gamers and GPGPU enthusiasts to whom silence is golden. Total power: 750W MIDRANGE
Why we dig it: Aerocool invites you to “Feel the horsepower in silence!” A big 140mm fan with a blue LED accent is on deck to handle the heat without revving the engine, so to speak. Multiple GPUs are no problem with this modular PSU’s up-to-date connectors. Who should apply: Entertainment PC builders with some of today’s top hardware. Total power: 750W Why we dig it: A PWM-controlled 120mm fan on the outside—that’s right, we said the outside—frees up room on the inside, at least with a compatible Antec case. You probably never look behind your PC’s rear panel anyway, so why not? The net-net is thunderous wattage, whispering operation, and a double-take price. Moreover, a dual-circuit board design promotes ventilation and supports other reliability enhancements, such as bigger traces. Who should apply: Owners of various Antec Gamer and Performance One cases. Total power: 850W continuous Why we dig it: This TruePower New Series trouper features a stability boost in the form of DC-to-DC VRMs on the 3.3 and 5V rails. There’s a 5-year warranty behind the modular TP-650, which stays cool with an 80 Plus Bronze rating and quiet with a PWM-modulated fan. Japanese capacitors don’t hurt, either. Who should apply: Power users who value understated reliability. Total power: 650W continuous Why we dig it: “GX” stands for Gamers Xtreme, and this Cooler Master certainly delivers an extreme amount of wattage for the price. With a dual-layer EMI filter to cut the hum you might hear from a lesser PSU, plus a big, 120mm fan with PWM speed control, this vision in black will unobtrusively help your flashier hardware shine. Who should apply: No-nonsense builders who would rather spend the savings on a second GPU. Total power: 750W continuous Why we dig it: As with other components, many users begin and end their PSU shopping with Corsair. With one big +12V rail and solid-state capacitors rated for operation five degrees past the boiling point of water (105 C), this pro model boasts an 80 Plus Silver rating and a whopping 7-year warranty. Who should apply: Anyone foreseeing a need for six 6+2 PCI-E graphics card connectors. You know who you are. Total power: 850W (50 C) Why we dig it: Japanese capacitors like the TX650W’s are highly regarded among PSU buyers. So are dual ball-bearing fans like this Corsair’s 120mm with automatic speed control. Factor in super-long, native cabling that won’t fall short in a large case, along with a 5-year warranty and twin 6+2-pin leads, and you’re beginning to get the picture. Who should apply: Tower case owners on the prowl for stable, quiet power. Total power: 650W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: The hard-wired PRO87+ eschews modular cabling, which gives it a slight reduction in resistance and a bump in efficiency. (It’s 80 Plus Gold rated.) Enermax’s Dynamic Hybrid Transformer Topology and Hybrid Capacitor Array innovations help on the latter front, while special twister bearings and fuzzy logic speed control keep the cooling fan nice and quiet. Who should apply: Native cabling fans who want the utmost in power efficiency. Total power: 600W continuous Why we dig it: Pairing the convenience of mix-and-match cabling with the economic boon of an 80 Plus Gold certification, OCZ’s Z-Series seems to have something for everyone. The company takes no shortcuts with its heavy-duty testing, so you’ll know that the 5-year warranty is something this 850W character fully deserves. Who should apply: Enthusiasts building a champagne system on a beer budget. Total power: 850W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: It’s a natively cabled (non-modular), utterly quiet beast like the 950W version, but it’s less expensive. An 80 Plus Silver rating testifies that this is one efficient power supply. Who should apply: Multicore CPU owners who want a PSU that will cover their current pair of graphics adapters as well as the top single cards of tomorrow. Total power: 750W Why we dig it: With support for Core i7 and i5 Intel processors plus six PCI-E graphics card connectors (3x 6-pin and 3x 6+2-pin), this sleeved warrior is ready for combat. It’s an 80 Plus Bronze unit with a big, 135mm blower. Who should apply: Price-savvy users with more video cards than liquid assets. Total power: 1,000W continuous (40 C) $179.99 | www.seasonicusa.com Why we dig it: An 80 Plus Gold certificate indicates that this completely modular power supply is between 87% and 90% efficient under load, which means less heat and fan noise, along with lower electricity bills. There’s even a fanless mode. Note that Seasonic has constructed some of our favorite PSUs sold under other brand names. Who should apply: Enthusiasts who don’t want to compromise between their environmental awareness and their lust for power. Total power: 750W Why we dig it: This new Toughpower’s Zero Load feature lets it draw less than 1W when the computer is in hybrid graphics mode or the CPU is in a C6 sleep state. There’s a bank of LEDs along one side of the PSU’s case to inform you of the unit’s power and temperature status, too. Thermaltake even guarantees it to run continuously at 50 C and backs it with a 5-year warranty. Who should apply: Users who want power when they need it, but no waste when they don’t. Total power: 875W *775W model shown. Why we dig it: With such a striking exterior design, you might be forgiven for overlooking this contender’s super-tight ±3% voltage regulation tolerance and high-temperature testing regimen. Two of its four 6+2-pin PCI-E connectors are located on hard-wired cables, too. And then there are the polymer capacitors, 3.3 and 5V VRMs, 105 C Japanese capacitors, an 80 Plus Silver certificate, a 5-year warranty . . . Who should apply: The question is, who shouldn’t apply? Total power: 850W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: This PSU leaves out the solid-state capacitors of XFX’s Black Edition contenders, but it does come with 105 C electrolytic Japanese caps for stability. Likewise, it keeps a tight ±3% rein on voltage levels and features four PCI-E connectors for graphics cards (three of which are 6+2-pin, and two of which are natively wired instead of modular). Who should apply: A power user with today’s barnburners or tomorrow’s midrange gear. Total power: 650W continuous (50 C) Why we dig it: Zalman = quiet, for one thing. The 120mm fan spins on the vendor’s Hydro Bearing to help maintain this reputation. Another highlight is a Resonant Switching circuit that conserves power and cuts heat output, which contributes to the PSU’s 80 Plus Bronze rating. Who should apply: HTPC builders, musicians, and gamers who like to actually hear directional audio cues. Total power: 600W continuous BUDGET
Why we dig it: This value PSU cheerily invokes the image of a V12 racer, replete with a faux carbon fiber finish. Onboard are 6+2- and 6-pin PCI-E leads and multi-GPU blessings from both Nvidia and ATI. The modular cable connections and sculpted power switch both get a bit of colorful LED love. Who knows? A PSU like this could open up an entirely new personality for your heretofore staid productivity PC. Who should apply: Casual gamers and normal individuals that aspire to be such. Total power: 600W Why we dig it: For less than 70 bills, you get a true Cooler Master power supply with a hefty wattage rating and a 2-year warranty. This is a hard-wired PSU with a big, effective cooling fan. By the way, both of its PCI-E connectors are splittable, 6+2-pin numbers. Who should apply: Budget gamers and intermediate mainstream users. Total power: 600W continuous Why we dig it: The see-through case of this acrylic PSU is like a breath of fresh air. Priced for the value segment, this sharp-looking unit takes on a blue glow when it’s powered up. UV-reactive, green cable sleeving and dual 80mm fans round out the list of attractions. Who should apply: Modders with windowed or wholly transparent cases. Total power: 450W/550W (continuous/peak) Why we dig it: Seriously? You see OCZ, you see $39.99, and you have to ask why we dig this PSU? OK, let’s see: Here’s a modular product with 135mm worth of fan blades you’ll seldom hear. It’s an 80 Plus achiever with one 6-pin and one 6+2-pin PCI-E lead; these are attributes not every budget-priced power supply can claim. Oh, and OCZ tells us there are rebates available. Who should apply: Fixed-income souls crossing over between the mainstream and the gamer/power user realms. Total power: 500W continuous Why we dig it: With the PCP&C hallmarks of native cabling and one big 12V rail, this low-end model is proof that there are gems to be uncovered in the budget category sands. Think on industrial power with output so smooth as to be monotonous. Think on operation as quiet as the name. Think about lunch, as your shopping is now done. Who should apply: Media mavens, old-school gamers, and really, any user who doesn’t like nasty power surprises. Total power: 500W Why we dig it: Check it out—efficiency of up to 85%, four PCI-E connectors (two of which are 6+2-pin jobbies), and a modular design, all from Rosewill. A respectable power rating doesn’t hurt, either. Who should apply: Proud owners of Core i7, i5, and other Intel or AMD chips. Total power: 750W continuous (40 C) Why we dig it: Brand-spankin’-new from the stalwart Rosewill is this single-rail unit in the new Libertas Series. Details were understandably hard to come by at press time, but we can tell you about its Core i7/i5 compatibility, ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12V v2.92 support, and 80 Plus efficiency rating. Oh, and Rosewill tells us that it’s a fully modular design, too. Who should apply: Modders and others that are meticulous about the layout of the cabling in their cases. Total power: 650W continuous (40 C) Why we dig it: Shh! You’ll get rubber cushions for vibration absorption along with a temperature-controlled 120mm fan in this unassuming PSU from Seasonic. Brand-new with 105 C Japanese capacitors, this 80 Plus Bronze medal winner carries a 5-year warranty. Graphically speaking, you’ll get one 6+2-pin and one 6-pin PCI-E plug, too. Who should apply: Energy-conscious users who value peace and quiet. Total power: 620W Why we dig it: Despite its modest wattage rating by power user standards, Zalman confidently presents this value model as a dual-GPU solution. Indeed, it has two PCI-E plugs—one with a 6+2-pin terminus—for just such a setup. The ZM500-ST makes use of Japanese capacitors for first-stage smoothing. It comes with both an 80 Plus rating and a 3-year warranty. Who should apply: Those who will not go gently into the good night of fiscal responsibility. Total power: 500W continuous |
AeroCool V12XT-1000 
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