In this current society, most people don’t realise how much power is actually needed to power a high-end or even a modern PC. There are standard default models which are around 100-150 Watts for small standalone computers which are purely used to connect you to the internet to watch music or watch movies. That being said there are also computers which require ten times the standard PSU with multiple 12 Volt lines for over one hundred pounds at least for the computer enthusiasts. The ‘class’ of PSU recommended for most self-built systems of mid to high end rigs are around 500 Watts, so for this review we had an interesting 500 Watt PSU, presenting the Silver Power SP-SS500 500W. This PSU was tested in a mid-end computer using triple core AMD processor.

For most, Silver Power is an unrecognised hardware producer but they are affiliated with MaxPoint. MaxPoint just happens to be a well known distributer in the hardware industry (owning a fair amount of the well known ones such as Tagan – PSU’s for computer enthusiasts and gamers). With that mentioned, Silver Power finally represents the latest brand with a wide array of powerful PSU’s which have well balanced capabilities, quiet cooling and optimal, well balanced prices for what is given.

Specifications

The Silver Power SP-SS500 gives the following specifications:

• 500W Max power, 2x 12V lines, each of up to 17A
• Compatible with Intel ATX 12 V Ver. 2.2
• 80 Plus certified, high efficiency
• Environmental friendly “Super Low Noise” fan control
• Excellent thermal management with high quality ball bearing 12 cm fan
• Active Power Factor Correction with high PF value of >0.98
• Low power consumption in stand-by mode, meets Energy Star 4.0 requirements
• 2× built-in PCI Express graphics card connectors, 1× 6 Pin & 1× 6+2 Pin
• 6× serial ATA hard disk connectors for your SATA drives
• Stable output voltages under any load condition
• Protection against over voltage, over power and short circuit
• 24 months warranty

Source: MaxPoint website.

Introduction

Quite some time ago we were kindly given the chance to review the OCZ Fatal1ty 700 Watt. Today, OCZ have kindly let us take a look at the 600W ModXStream Pro. Will this 600W Modular power supply perform to the standards of the other units we’ve tested? Time to find out…

About OCZ

“Entering the memory market in August 2000, OCZ Technology was built around the determination to manufacture the best high speed DDR and RDRAM. OCZ was founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and our commitment to the end-user has not digressed.”

Features

• 500W, 600W, 700W Configurations
• OCZ PowerWhisper Technology
• Internal 135mm fan (500W,600W,700W)
• SLI™ Certified
• 3 year warranty backed by OCZ’s exclusive PowerSwap™ Warranty replacement program. No more endless return-for-repair loops!

Specifications

• 150 x 160 x 86mm (W x L x H)
• ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V
• Typical load 86% Efficiency
• 80+ Certified
• Overvoltage/OverPower/Short-Circuit protection
• (.99)Active PFC
• MTBF: 100,000 hours @ 25C

]]> http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/ocz-modxstream-pro-600-watt/feed/ 0 http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/tuniq-potency-550w-psu/ http://tech-reviews.co.uk/reviews/tuniq-potency-550w-psu/#comments Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:27:33 +0000 Andrew http://tech-reviews.co.uk/?p=1430

Introduction

Recently at Tech-Reviews we’ve been reviewing a lot of high wattage power supplies. We haven’t however looked at the lower range units. Luckily today though, we’ve been handed a Tuniq Potency 550W to review. Can it live up to the same performance standards as higher wattage units? Well there is only one way to find out, introducing the Tuniq Potency 550 Watt…

About Tuniq

As a division of Sunbeamtech, Tuniq considers itself in the fashion business of computing industry. We are committed to bring stylish, durable and high performance equipments to the world of computer modding. Our members consist of those who have more than 10 years experience in the industry and enthusiastic young designers full of innovative ideas.

Features

• 80 PLUS Certified
• SLI Certified
• Active PFC
• Support 9800 GX2
• Full Circuit Protection (OCP/UVP/OVP/SCP/OLP)
• Silent 120mm Sleeve Bearing Fan
• 3-year Warranty: we will replace new one when the power supply was broken within 3-years.
• Size: 140x150x86 mm

Specifications

OCZ Fatal1ty 550w PSU

Introduction

There are many components inside a PC which seem to be requiring increasing amounts of power as they seem to require huge wattages to function correctly. This is why the PSU market has advanced massively in recent years with PSU’s with wattages up to 1200 watts and beyond not uncommon. Most PC’s however will not require such a huge amount of power which is why there are many high performance, lower wattage PSU’s currently on offer. With this in mind I introduce the: OCZ Fatal1ty 550w PSU.

Features and Specifications

• 550W Modular Configuration
• OCZ PowerWhisper Technology
• "EZMod Technology" for custom cabling
• Internal 135mm fan
• SLI™-Ready
• 80+ Certified
• 3 year warranty backed by OCZ’s exclusive PowerSwap™ Warranty replacement program. No more endless return-for-repair loops!

  Technical specifications:

• 5.9in x 3.4in x 6.3in (W x H x D)
• ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V
• up to 82% Efficiency
• Overvoltage/OverPower/Short-Circuit protection
• (.99)Active PFC
• MTBF: 100,000 hours @ 25C

Introduction

Recently we reviewed the Turbo Cool from PC Power and Cooling which entailed very impressive performance results. Fortunately, PC Power and Cooling have sent us another one of their PSU’s to take a look at: the Silencer 750 Watt. Let’s take a look and see if this power supply performs as well as the other ones in our roundup.

About PC Power and Cooling

On April 19, 1985, PC Power & Cooling began operations in a small warehouse just outside of San Diego, CA. Founded by Doug Dodson, a commodity trader and electronic hobbyist, the company’s first products were custom fans to cool and quiet computers.

If you aren’t already aware, PC Power and Cooling is now part of the OCZ Technology Group.

Features

• 750W Continuous @ 40C (825W Peak)
• Up to 90% (10dB) Less Noise per Watt
• NVIDIA SLI Certified (Dual 8800 GTX)
• 80+ Certified (83%); .99 Active PFC
• +12VDC @ 60A (Powerful Single Rail)
• Rock-Solid, Super-Clean DC Output
• 24-pin, 8-pin*, 4-pin M/B Connectors
• Quad PCI-E and 15 Drive Connectors
• Automatic Fan Speed Control Circuit
• 5-Year Warranty and Tech Support

Specifications

Introduction

Back in November 2008 we were lucky enough to get our hands on the Antec TruePower Quattro 850 Watt power supply for review. Today however, Antec have kindly sent us the 1000W model of the TruePower Quattro to add to the PSU roundup we’re currently conducting. Let’s see how it performs…

Features

• NVIDIA™ SLI™-ready certified
• 80PLUS® Bronze Certified
• Universal Input, automatically adjusts for 100V to 240V power grids
• Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) helps reduce electrical waste
• Supports EPS12V v2.91 and ATX12V systems
• Four 12V output circuits provide supreme system stability
• Accurate power rating allows TruePower Quattro to deliver its full rated power (24 hours a day rated at 50ºC)
• Up to 85% efficient
• 80mm low noise cooling fan
• Heavy duty protection circuitry prevents damage resulting from short circuits (SCP), over voltages (OVP), under voltages (UVP), and over current (OCP)
• 2 x 8-pin PCI-E connectors and 2 x 6-pin connectors for PCI-Express graphics cards
• MTBF: 100,000 hours
• Safety approvals: UL, CUL, FCC, TÜV, CE, C-tick, CCC, CB
• Gold plated connectors for superior conductivity
• AQ5 -Antec Quality five-year parts and labor warranty
• Unit Dimensions:
  • 3.4″(H) x 5.9″(W) x 7.1″(D)
  • 8.6cm(H) x 15cm(W) x 18cm(D)
• Package dimensions:
  • 9.4″(H) x 11.6″(W) x 5.4″(D)
  • 23.88cm(H) x 29.46cm(W) x 13.72cm(D)
• Weight:
  • Net: 5.75 lbs / 2.6 kg
  • Gross: 8.4 lbs / 3.81 kg

Specifications

Introduction

Love him or hate him, Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendal certainly has a nice range of products. One such company who make a power supply for his Fatal1ty series of products is OCZ, and today, we’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on a 700W OCZ Fatal1ty power supply. Is this 700 watt PSU really as good as it’s made out to be? Read on and you’ll find out…

About OCZ

Entering the memory market in August 2000, OCZ Technology was built around the determination to manufacture the best high speed DDR and RDRAM. OCZ was founded by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts, and our commitment to the end-user has not digressed. OCZ Technology has been an innovator in many areas. We were the first manufacturer to make Dual Channel optimized memory available to the public, which originally took advantage of nVidia’s Twinbank or Dual DDR architecture, found in their nForce chipset. We have now taken that technology and tailored it for the Canterwood, and Granite Bay chipset’s. OCZ developed and was the first to implement ULN technology, which has been a critical element in our manufacturing process for some time. We at OCZ diligently work to improve communication with CPU and motherboard chipset manufacturers prior to the release of their products. Only in this manner can we fine-tune our memory’s SPD settings, ensuring a synergistic relationship between the memory module, memory controller, and microprocessor. In today?s rapidly evolving semiconductor industry, such communication is not simply research, but a necessary component of our manufacturing process.

Features

• NVIDIA® SLI™-Ready Certified
• 700w Configurations
• OCZ PowerWhisper Technology
• 80+ Certified for high efficiency
• Internal 120mm fan w/ red LEDs

Specifications

• 5.9in x 3.4in x 6.3in (WxHxD)
• ATX12V v2.2 and EPS12V
• Overvoltage/Overcurrent/ShortCircuit protection
• Active PFC
• MTBF: 100,000 hours

Introduction

Enermax is a company renowned for their high performance power supplies. Here at Tech-Reviews, we’ve kindly been sent the Revolution85+ 950W power supply to take a look at. Let’s take it to the battlefield and compare it up against some of the other top PSU’s in our roundup. Read on and find out if the Enermax Revolution 85+ is victorious.

About Enermax

The Enermax Technology Corporation was founded in Taiwan in 1990 and today is one of the leading producers of PC power supplies, PC cases and other peripheral stuff. Since 2000 the head quarter is located in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Founded by a group of high-tech oriented young professionals Enermax gained an excellent reputation over the last almost 20 years.

Features

Specifications

Introduction

Seasonic is a company we’ve never worked with before. They produce solely power supplies and so it would seem they are experts at it. In this review which carries on from our current roundup of power supplies, we will be reviewing the Seasonic M12D PSU. So what are we waiting for? Let’s take a look…

About Seasonic

Since the incorporation of Sea Sonic Electronics Co., Ltd. in 1975, we have maintained our focus on research and development and the production of quality power conversion products.

For the past decades, supported by cutting edge technology based upon a strong research and development team, Sea Sonic Electronics has provided timely and professional solutions to meet many of the IT industry’s requirements.

Features

• Super High Efficiency [up to 90%]
• DC to DC Converter Design
• Practical Dual +12V Rails
• Tight Voltage Regulation
• High Reliable 105°C Japanese Capacitors
• Solid Caps on 12Vs for Extreme Stress Operation Conditions
• Active Power Factor Correction [99%PF]
• Dual Sided PCB Layout
• Detachable Modular Cable
• San Ace Silent Fan [SANYO DENKI]
• Smart & Silent Fan Control [ S²FC]
• Ultra Ventilation [Honey Comb Structure]
• All in One DC Cabling Design
• Universal AC Input [Full Range]
• Patented Easy Swap Connector
• 5 Year Warranty

Specifications

Introduction

We’ve been busy conducting a power supply roundup here at Tech-Reviews for the past couple of weeks. Today we have another PSU to add to our power supply roundup. This unit is from a company we’ve not worked with before, PC Power and Cooling – a partner company of OCZ. Anyway enough of the chit chat, introducing the PC Power and Cooling Turbo Cool 860 Watt…

About PC Power and Cooling

On April 19, 1985, PC Power & Cooling began operations in a small warehouse just outside of San Diego, CA. Founded by Doug Dodson, a commodity trader and electronic hobbyist, the company’s first products were custom fans to cool and quiet computers.

Features

• 860W Continuous (930W Peak) @ 50°C
• Heavy-Duty Caps, Inductors, Heat Sinks, Etc.
• External Fine-Tune Voltage Adjust (+3.3, +5, +12)
• Premium Sag and Surge Protection (.985 PFC)
• 80+ Certified Ultra-High Efficiency (84% Typical)
• +12VDC @ 64A/70A Peak(Powerful Single Rail)
• Ultra-Tight Voltage Regulation (+VDC @ 1.5%)
• 24-pin, 8-pin, and 4-pin M/B Connectors
• 4 PCI-E and 15 Drive Connectors
• NVIDIA® SLI Certified (up to Dual GTX260)
• Ultra-High Reliability (200,000 Hr. MTBF)
• Individual 14-point Certified Test Report
• Industry’s Strongest Warranty Program (7 yrs)

Specifications