Installation and Testing
First, this being a partially modular PSU makes it much easier installation. Partially modular simply means that connectors for motherboard and CPU are attached to the PSU while all the other connectors are separated.
Now testing was interesting, the rails had decent voltage with very little deviation from the correct voltage but it wasn’t 100% stable with 11.7-12.1V on 12V and 4.9V on 5V rails. The 3.3V was lagging a little low. It varied as low as 3V, which is not much of a concern but it still raises an eye brow when considering that the PSU will get older.
The fan was really silent. Not the quietest fan that I’ve heard but it is only heard when I put my ear right next to it. I’ll definitely call it “silent” and any video card or processor fan will be louder than that.
Conclusion
While this PSU is great bang for buck it has it’s faults. Golf-ball design on the wings is quite innovative . Very confusing documentation and specifications, numbers don’t match up and connectors are not differentiated between 30amp and 20amp connectors.
Pros:
- Silent fan with new golf-ball texture for energy efficiency
- 80Plus Bronze certified
- GreenPower lead free
- Great watt/dollar value.
- Fan recessed behind a grill
- Partially modular
Cons:
- Poor documentation
- Specifications does not match up
- SLi and Crossfire compatible but not certified
- 3.3V rail was just a little bit off normal
- The voltages were not completely stable
One thing I have never seen in any computer component review is how much RF interference it produces.
I just installed a coolmax 1000b Power Supply and it creates so much RF interference that you can’t listen to a FM radio, I had a video card that would do the same thing a few years back, I have noticed that different brands of power supplies generate different amounts of RF interference, aluminum PS tend to generate more than those with steel bodies.