Review: PSU roundup (11 PSUs)

***Zardon*** · Dec 7, 2003, 12:57 PM

Some components in your computer you are less aware of and often not too willing to pay a lot of money for. One of these is the PSU that despite keeping a low profile is a very important component in your system.
Six months ago we took a closer look on 6 PSUs to see if there were any differences between the models and manufacturers available on the market.
It turned out that you can save some money by exploring the alternatives a bit extra before investing a new PSU, to avoid unstable and unreliable systems.
A few months after our first PSU roundup, we feel that its time once again to see what there is to buy.
This time we test a whole of 11 PSUs to provide you with with as much information as we can.

"It is time to have a look at PSU's again, and this time we have brought eleven different models that will be tested. There are three from the new manufacturer Hiper, two from Levicom, two from Antec and one from FSP Group, Tagan, Q-Tec and ToPower respectively. The PSUs are from all kinds of power classes, this to be able to cover most segments. Some of them do also have special functions and features that make this roundup a little more interesting. Totally we are testing as much as 4800 watts today."

Read here

-={420}=- · Dec 7, 2003, 01:32 PM

My personal favorite (out of those listed).

tek · Dec 7, 2003, 01:36 PM

Also the best PSU out of those 11 if you go to the Conclusion section.

Very nice PSU, I'm going to go check how much $$$ it is,

oh by the way Antec Truepower 430W = kickass PSU.

-={420}=- · Dec 7, 2003, 01:40 PM

And it looks so cool!

That would look so sweet with my blacklight, plus my mobo is already UV compatible. And it also has a SATA power connector!

It costs 90 euro according to the site, which is about $109. That's about how much my current 450W power supply cost. Nice!

The_Neon_Cowboy · Dec 8, 2003, 05:15 AM

you know you can buy leds and clear covers for you power suppys right?

also a pc test method is poor you need a true test system that lets you push the limits as tomshardware has done ... and giveing alot better compairison, max out put watta, max cosntant loads etc

look here
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20030609/index.html

and here
http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html

-={420}=- · Dec 8, 2003, 09:56 AM

I'm not buying a PSU anytime soon so I'm just saying that that one looks cool, that's all. If I was buying one, I would do more research.

EcPercy · Dec 8, 2003, 01:11 PM

I am about to buy an Antec True480... thanks to reviews like these I have decided not to go with generic crap anymore...

you get what you pay for... its gonna cost me $89 for the True480, but that should satisfy my power needs for awhile.

BWX · Dec 8, 2003, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by The_Neon_Cowboy

also a pc test method is poor you need a true test system that lets you push the limits as tomshardware has done ...

I noticed that too- It didn't have any fans or cold cathodes or anything. He should have hooked up about 6 80mm fans and one light of some kind at least - but he did hook up 3 fat HD's.
Still an interesting review though. Those Antec's do look really good. I've never heard of any of most of the other brands though.

Dec 7, 2003, 12:57 PM	#1
*Zardon* enchanted Join Date: May 2002 Location: Driverheaven Posts: 32,285 Rep Power: 3150	Review: PSU roundup (11 PSUs) Some components in your computer you are less aware of and often not too willing to pay a lot of money for. One of these is the PSU that despite keeping a low profile is a very important component in your system. Six months ago we took a closer look on 6 PSUs to see if there were any differences between the models and manufacturers available on the market. It turned out that you can save some money by exploring the alternatives a bit extra before investing a new PSU, to avoid unstable and unreliable systems. A few months after our first PSU roundup, we feel that its time once again to see what there is to buy. This time we test a whole of 11 PSUs to provide you with with as much information as we can. "It is time to have a look at PSU's again, and this time we have brought eleven different models that will be tested. There are three from the new manufacturer Hiper, two from Levicom, two from Antec and one from FSP Group, Tagan, Q-Tec and ToPower respectively. The PSUs are from all kinds of power classes, this to be able to cover most segments. Some of them do also have special functions and features that make this roundup a little more interesting. Totally we are testing as much as 4800 watts today." Read here

Dec 7, 2003, 01:32 PM	#2
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	My personal favorite (out of those listed). __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]

Dec 7, 2003, 01:36 PM	#3
tek DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Boston, US Posts: 2,103 Rep Power: 0	Also the best PSU out of those 11 if you go to the Conclusion section. Very nice PSU, I'm going to go check how much $$$ it is, oh by the way Antec Truepower 430W = kickass PSU. __________________ [COLOR=White][/COLOR]

Dec 7, 2003, 01:40 PM	#4
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	And it looks so cool! That would look so sweet with my blacklight, plus my mobo is already UV compatible. And it also has a SATA power connector! It costs 90 euro according to the site, which is about $109. That's about how much my current 450W power supply cost. Nice! __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]

Dec 8, 2003, 05:15 AM	#5
The_Neon_Cowboy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,135 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	you know you can buy leds and clear covers for you power suppys right? also a pc test method is poor you need a true test system that lets you push the limits as tomshardware has done ... and giveing alot better compairison, max out put watta, max cosntant loads etc look here http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20030609/index.html and here http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/20021021/index.html __________________ Last edited by The_Neon_Cowboy; Dec 8, 2003 at 05:21 AM.

Dec 8, 2003, 09:56 AM	#6
-={420}=- DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,095 Rep Power: 0	I'm not buying a PSU anytime soon so I'm just saying that that one looks cool, that's all. If I was buying one, I would do more research. __________________ [COLOR=red]My eBay Auctions[/COLOR]

Dec 8, 2003, 01:11 PM	#7
EcPercy DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,529 Rep Power: 49	I am about to buy an Antec True480... thanks to reviews like these I have decided not to go with generic crap anymore... you get what you pay for... its gonna cost me $89 for the True480, but that should satisfy my power needs for awhile.