All Components - Power Supplies

The OCZ Fatal1ty, once you get past the unconventional naming system, is a good value for the money. It has pretty good functionality built-in and pretty good ergonomics, but the one thing I love about the most is the outer design—it’s awesome! With the large fat atop the case and mess grille around the body, the red tint that it gives off is what sold me!

And before I get in trouble for talking all-style and no function, I digress! The Fatal1ty (I still have to discover why that 1 is there instead of the obvious “i”) OCZ550FTY is rated at 80% energy efficiency, which is pretty good—if not fairly normal—for this unit. 50 amps, also, is very generous for a PSU in this price range.

The cables are long-enough and tastefully braided (as is most of the whole package, from the box to the accessories—very sleek and stylish), the uglyness-factor of which has been a long time gripe for many of my fellow gamer friends, and included 6 SATA, 5 Molex, a 6 pin PCI express + a 6/2 pin conversion, the standard 20-24 pin ATX, the 8 and 4 pin and a 3.5 disc connector.

It’s extremely quiet, especially for one costing only roughly $70 and supports SLI/Crossfox as well—something that’s really becoming standard in the gaming/high-end computing world. The four rails keep the power consumption/efficiency in-check very well. The only issue I really have with it is the PCI express cables are a little on the short side and really should be longer; additionally, while 80% energy efficiency is still very good, many other comparable PSU’s have an 85% of slightly-better rating.

The OCZ Fatal1ty 550FTY is more than adequate for most gamers and mid-level computer builders. Just do not try to hook up it up to a 25 kilowatt generator and you are definitely covered!

OCZ Fatal1ty OCZ550FTY 550W Power Supply

I received my Corsair PS unit (the CMPSU 750TX spec) a couple of weeks ago. Overall, I’m really quite pleased—if not shocked and awed.

First, the specs include: all of the necessary cables are included, it has a 80% load efficiency, and has a quote “99% Active Power Factor Correction” that provides clean, robust power to the tower(s). It also integrates a +12 volt dedicated rail system that complements the 140mm diameter fan perfectly.

In other words, the PSU here is going to take just about any system configuration in stride because of its obviously industrial-grade design and nearly flawless performance. This is particularly-true for people like me, who love experimenting/taking apart/customizing their computers. I don’t even want to start with the puny little PSU’s that most manufacturers usually install; therefore, lets carry on.

As one who loves to tinker with CPU parts, I wasn’t afraid to try to overclock my CPU while it was attached to this Corsair product. Needless to say, it performed beautifully. I clocked a Core i7 (with a blistering 3.2 g/hertz and Crossfire cards) at 516 Watts; 516 watts with this corsair serving as the backbone.

With that fact out of the way, let me explain a few other goodies. The Corsair 750-TX is designed to endure heat and even some abuse. The 80% energy rating is also on par with some of the best PSU’s out there. Why would you possibly want a unit with a lower rating that’s just going to burn-up that extra 10% of power into non-usable heat (as is with many inferior products).

Also, it has a professional-looking black and orangeish-yellow case—that isn’t especially aesthetically-pleasing—but then again, the fact that it functions so tremendously-well more than makes up for that little point.

CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W Compatible with Core i7 Power Supply

Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Power Supply

The Antec TruePower TP-650 is an overall success in my book. It’s very quiet and supports plenty of juice to all but the most hardcore gamer or amateur PC builder. Here’s a brief look at the specs that come off of my packaging (love the box design, BTW!):

• It’s pin-drop quiet (and I can confirm this)

• The 120mm fan contributes to that silence

• It’s very energy efficient

• The Truepower is completely ATX and EPS compliant

• It has industrial-grade inner components (this can be said of most PS’s, though)

• 4 12 volt output circuits for dedicated CPU usage

• Beautiful modular cables and great placement, front and back

• So far, it’s run at less than 29c the whole time and has been very stable, very few fluctuations

The price is, well, a little more than I would like of an Antec in this bracket, but the old adage “you get what you pay for” is relevant here. You do get everything it promises and it performs just as good as any other PS I’ve ever bought—and trust me I have seen some atrociously-butchered homemade power supplies in my time.

In addition, the inclusion of BOTH 4 and 6 pin connectors is a breath of fresh air in this power supply. They’re perfect for my SATA and PCI connections and the front-end hard-wired cables make losing them impossible. Furthermore, the 12 volt rail system is laid out fairly well—but would have appreciated a little more literature in the manual for those. However, that’s such a trivial fact (opinion, whatnot) in the case of this PS.

Summing-up, I also love the fact that it has a larger fan than what seems to be the de facto standard in the power supply/PC hardware industry.

Antec TruePower New TP-650 650W Continuous Power “compatible with Core i7″ Power Supply The Antec’s New TruePower series provides an advanced power supply solution for senior DIYer, striking a balance of reliability, efficiency and quality. The Antec New TP-650 power supply features 80 PLUS BRONZE certification, saving energy and your money. It also generates less heat and enhances cooling with a super-silent 120mm PWM fan. The Active PFC circuitry further reduces power use for cooler, quieter, and more environmentally friendly power. The Antec New TP-650’s universal input capability, together with ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12V V2.91 compliancy lets you use it in a variety of situations without worrying about input voltages. Dedicated power circuitry, industrial grade protection circuitry, and Active PFC deliver safe, reliable output. Four +12V output circuits provide maximum stable power for the CPU independently of the other peripherals. The modular design makes cable management easier. The main power cables are permanently attached, while all of the peripheral cables all plug into the back of the PSU. The cables are all wrapped in mesh for a cleaner installation. Bring new power to your system with this remarkable supply! Fans: 1, PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) Main Connector: 20+4Pin +12V Rails: 4 PCI-Express Connector: 2 x 6-Pin, 2 x 6+2-Pin SATA Power Connector: 9 Input Voltage: 100 – 240 V Input Frequency Range: 47 – 63 Hz Output: +3.3V@25A, +5V@25A, +12V1@22A, +12V2@22A, +12V3@25A, +12V4@25A, -12V@0.8A, +5VSB@3.0A

Thermaltake W0319RU 850W Power Supply

The Thermaltake W0319RU PS is one nice little product, especially for gamers and techies who frequently push the envelope of computing. With this review, I would like to objectively review this product for its pros and cons.

General Specs on the TR2 RX-850:

• It has the Dual Core/SLI support that’s requisite these days
• A very generous 60A output
• It’s in compliance with the EPS 12V and ATX 2.2
• It’s rated at a hefty 120,000 hours of longevity
• The efficiency is manufacturer-guaranteed 85%
• Supports the typical Intel/AMD configs
• It’s pre-loaded with x6 SATA connectors
• Professional-level internal components

As a prolific online gamer and video editor, I’ve put almost all of my confidence into Thermaltake when it concerns items like the aforementioned power supply. I’ve also used a couple of their PC cases, as well as different heat sinks that I’ve used in making both medium-grade and some high-grade PC systems from my home.

I haven’t experimented with their water-cooling systems yet (as are really “getting-up there” in terms of pushing the threshold of gaming and overclocking), but I plan to soon and can’t wait. However, I digress back to the product at hand. It’s basically the benchmark of power supplies—one that other manufacturers should try to replicate.

You’ll probably never crack-it open, but if you are anything like me—you love to take things apart and tinker. With that said, it’s got internal parts that are hands-down industrial quality. The fan itself is smaller than you would find in—say, a corporate server—but that’s pretty darn moot point considering this is a consumer/small-business-oriented product.

All-in-all, the Thermaltake W0319RU TR2 receives a 99 from me—reserving that 1 point for “objectivity’s sake”. Many thanks for reading through my review and happy shopping.

Thermaltake W0319RU 850W Power Supply GeForce GTX 470 Certified The Thermaltake Black Widow 850W power supply just looks cool! Too bad it’ll remain hidden in your case. Sturdily built, it’s SLI and Dual-Core ready, but really shines in CrossFire testing! Most important in any PSU is the 12V rail supply. Most components pick up off of that rail. The Toughpower has four separate +12V rails so you’re guaranteed crisp, clean power delivery. Each one of these four rails can handle 18 Amps of overload before a safety shutdown occurs. The mirror effect housing silent 140mm fan and Noise Preventive Silicon Pad help reduce vibrations and noise emissions, increase airflow and cooling and, thus improve performance. One Main connector (20 + 4 pin), one 12V (8+4 pin), eight peripherals, six SATA, two Floppy, and four PCI-E connectors will cover all your components. Four next generation +12V rails support high-end PC systems and twinned graphics cards. This is a heavy-duty, serious power supply designed to bring you enough power for any potential configuration and a great value. Get one today, and let your foes feel the power! Fans: 140mm Fan 1900 RPM ± 10% Main Connector: 20+4Pin +12V Rails: 4 SATA Power Connector: 6 Hold-up Time: 16ms min. Efficiency: > 85% Over Voltage Protection: Yes Overload Protection: Yes

Useful Features of the APC Back Uninterruptable Power Supply

The APC BE650G 650 VA 390 Watts 8 Outlets UPS is a useful power back-up supply for offices and even households. Unexpected power interruptions and power surges are a pain. Not only are the computers forced to abruptly shut down without warning and potentially lose all unsaved data, but there is also the possibility that your computer systems will be damaged by such abrupt disconnection and/or surges of power.

Here is where the importance of a back-up power supply comes in. It is not a generator that will provide electricity, but it does have a battery that will continue providing power for several minutes, giving you ample time to save your work and to safely shut down the computer. APC Back-UPS are capable of supplying power and keeping computer systems running for as long as 13.1 minutes at half load. This is more than enough time to get your data and systems in order before shut down. The run time is shorter on a full load, only 3.8 minutes, but this short time will still enable you to save the progress of your work.

This is also extra useful because of the added features. An alarm will warn you if there is a possible overload with the eight outlets. It will indicate battery shortage, and if it is currently allocating its battery power. This back-up will only work on systems that require a maximum of 390 watts, though. Anything exceeding this will not be well-served.

Most people are more comfortable in using electric gadgets if they know how to use it and manipulate it. APC Back-UPS have this added plus. It comes with software that may be installed in the computer system. This allows the user to change the computer system’s power back-up settings, although most computer units will readily recognize its battery power source.

APC BE650G UPS Never lose vital data or productivity time due to a power outage or surge again with the APC Back Uninterruptible Power Supply. The Back-UPS features unique chargeable batteries that continue powering your equipment with up to 390 Watts in the event of a power interruption so that you can safely save your work and shut down your computer. The Back-UPS will let you know if it is running on batteries, if the battery is low or if there is an overload condition. Once the event is over, simply reset the breakers on the unit and get back to work. As an added bonus, the Back-UPS will also conduct periodic self-tests to warn you if a battery needs to be replaced. The unit can also be customized and managed by your PC with the included software and USB connection. The Back-UPS has been certified to meet the standards of UL, FCC, CE and more. For reliability during mission-critical projects and safety for your valuable data, make the APC Back-UPS part of your computer system today! Output Voltage: 120V Outlets: 8 Outlet Type: (4) NEMA 5-15R (Battery Backup) (4) NEMA 5-15R (Surge Protection) Battery Run Time: Typical Backup Time at Half Load: 13.1 minutes (195 Watts) Typical Backup Time at Full Load: 3.8 minutes (390 Watts) Battery Recharge Time: 16 hour(s) Battery Replaceable: RBC17 Alarms: Alarm when on battery : distinctive low battery alarm : overload continuous tone alarm Data Line Protection: RJ-45 Modem/Fax/DSL/10-100 Base-T protection,Co-axial Video / Cable protection