Another New THG PSU Roundup

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Thought I would throw this review at y'all despite not being nearly as comprehensive a review as those from Xbit and SPCR.

http://www20.tomshardware.com/howto/20050228/index.html

Tom's pretty much drew the line at efficiency testing this time, and to see if each unit could do full power. One thing I noted - Zippy knows how to build an efficient PSU that works at rated power levels. This is the first time I can recall a Zippy being tested in such a review (would like to see them reviewed at Xbit). However, most seemed to do pretty well also, including Fortron's AX500-A. Some, including the Ultra X-Connect, didn't do so well with efficiency.

No OCZ in there, but Topower is well represented in the non-P6 models - 3 models total from Tagan and Epower. The Epower shut itself down before full load, one of three to do so. One of the Tagans seemed to have some regulation trouble - not sure if that's on account of their testing methods or not at the moment.

[Sentential]

Its no suprise that Zippy is in the lead in all catagories. I belive that is the basis of PCPNC units if I recall correctally

[Oklahoma Wolf]

I've heard those rumours, but never confirmed them. I do know PC P&C has declared that the 510w is not a Zippy, but I've never heard anything about other models. Would be nice to know for sure, but my budget won't allow me a 510 to take apart ;)

[Sentential]

Either way it is clear that Zippy would be the 2nd best choice for a PSU. 3rd would be a tie between Fortron and Topower then followed by Antec

[Diablo23RD]

I went to Houston to see a PCPNC SLI, I monitored the 12V line by multimeter over 10hrs, when it start (fresh in brown box) the 12V line from 12.19V moved to 12.18V and stay there forever even with 2X 6800GT loading 3Dmark05. So, PCPNC in my top list now! :D.

[tonyou]

I've heard those rumours, but never confirmed them. I do know PC P&C has declared that the 510w is not a Zippy, but I've never heard anything about other models. Would be nice to know for sure, but my budget won't allow me a 510 to take apart ;)


Here is another rumor to add into the mix. ;) My source tells me that the 510W PC P&C unit is made by Etasis. Though not as famous as Zippy in retail channel, Etasis power supplies are equally expensive (and as good?) as Zippy in the server/workstation market.

[BeerCan]

Also some of the PCP&C PSU's are rumored to be made by seasonic.

As for that review -- why do they even bother? They get all them PSU together and then do a half-ass job testing

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Etasis is a new one to me... what I have heard about them has been positive, being the company supplying Silverstone with fanless units, but other than that I don't know a whole lot about them. I will say that if the 510 is Etasis made, they're either right up there with Zippy or pretty darn close - apart from a bad batch with coils that overheated, these have close to a 0% failure rate. I think I'll go do some googling on Etasis now ;)

The confirmed PC P&C OEM's I know of are Seasonic, Fortron, and Win-tact (who I have yet to see in the retail channel under their own name). I will say I'm very pleased that PC P&C continues to pick good OEM sources for their units. If the 510 comes down in price some more, maybe one will find its way into my hands one of these days.

FWIW, Zippy is the only OEM manufacturer I know of right now with a 3 year warranty. All others I know of are one year, including Fortron, CWT (Antec), and Topower (OCZ).

Yeah, the review isn't too great - almost didn't bother posting it. It's good for efficiency results, and not much more.

Edit: The UL certification page for Etasis: http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/template/LISEXT/1FRAME/showpage.html?name=QQGQ2.E176239&ccnshorttitle=Power+Supplies,+Information+Technolo gy+Equipment+Including+Electrical+Business+Equipme nt+-+Component&objid=1073787810&cfgid=1073741824&version=versionless&parent_id=1073787374&sequence=1

Some mighty strong units on that page. Their website (www.etasis.com.tw) mentions a 3 year warranty. The EPAP-550 and EPAP-560 look like possible contenders, but hard to know for sure.

[Diablo23RD]

http://www.powersupplypartner.com/ShowDetails.aspx?ItemID=9141 <---- I emailed this guy to ask for the price of the unit in there, this company just 4 miles away from my house :).

[EvilCloudStrife]

seems like the forton is a good value. it performs great, and it has a cheep pricetag for the performance you get out of it.. only 90 bucks at newegg.. maybe i am biast because i just bought one.. but i love it! :)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

http://www.powersupplypartner.com/ShowDetails.aspx?ItemID=9141 <---- I emailed this guy to ask for the price of the unit in there, this company just 4 miles away from my house :).

Lucky you :p

Looks like they have Zippy too, and a huge list of Channel Well server units.

I'd agree with Fortron being good value - I just haven't found anything that can match them in the build quality you get for the buck. Very low failure rate, extremely stable, great prices. Not hard to like that ;)

[OCS911]

No PC P&C in High Performance Power Supply Units???

[Diablo23RD]

Lucky you :p

Looks like they have Zippy too, and a huge list of Channel Well server units.


I got the quote back, the sale guy ask for $175! Is it good deal?

I wonder how much this company ask for the Zippy (http://www.powersupplypartner.com/ShowDetails.aspx?ItemID=1959)??? Nice if they want $150 for it:)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Not sure if that's a good deal or not... if indeed PC P&C is using them, they're probably getting custom modified units from them directly. You'd also be getting a longer warranty with PC P&C.

The Zippy units might end up being cheaper than Newegg's prices - back when Newegg first added them, I could easily find cheaper prices at other retailers.

[Diablo23RD]

OKwolf, You think the PCPNC have the same UL file with Etasis? I hardly read all the info on that uL link you linked! :)

[Oklahoma Wolf]

PC P&C has their own UL file number, making it exceedingly difficult for me to trace their units. I wish it was that easy. Some other companies have their own as well - Antec, Enermax, and Vantec being prominent examples. Most companies don't bother getting their own UL file number - they print the real OEM number, leave it off, or print a fake one (in the case of most dirt cheap 600w "bargains").

Tracing Antec units is easy - OEM Channel Well units are a snap to spot when you take the lids off. Vantec is harder, since some of theirs come from different OEM's. Enermax and PC P&C are the hardest... very frequently, there's nothing to go on from online pics of the innards. I still haven't confirmed whether or not Enermax comes off the Fore Point Industrial lines with Superflower and Hiper Power, and I may never know for sure in that case. PC P&C is a little different though - they have so many sources they've used it could be any one of several OEM's... some of which bear no identification markings whatsoever anywhere in the unit.