Atx12v 2.4 differs from 2.3. Antec VP700P power supply review: focus on the main

The power supply is one of the most important parts of a computer. Without it, no component will work. At the same time, too little attention is paid to the power supply.

Why is the power supply so important? The reason is simple: every component in the computer depends on a stable power supply - only then everything will work without interruption. Any, even a short voltage change can lead to system crash and component failure, but many users do not even think about it. When PCs become unstable, users often blame overly aggressive memory lags, graphics card or processor overclocking. But the power supply is one of the most problematic components! That is why our laboratory could not ignore him.

ATX12V 2.01 - new specification

There is a certain revival in the PC world today: PCI Express, DDR2 and Serial ATA memory, and many other new technologies have entered the scene. Among them, almost imperceptibly, flaunts the ATX12V 2.01 standard, which is intended to replace ATX 1.3.

Probably the most notable change is the new large ATX plug, which now has 24 pins instead of 20 on the previous version.

Classic ATX plug (left) and new ATX 2.0 plug (right).

Adapter from 24 to 20 contacts.

And a completely clever alternative is a separate block with four contacts.

The four new contacts are the +12 V, +5 V, +3.3 V lines and additional ground. Thus, the old AUX connector goes into oblivion - the new standard no longer supports it. The layout of the remaining 20 pins has not changed, that is, the two standards are compatible, but with some restrictions. To use a 24-pin power supply on an old motherboard, you will need an adapter. However, most manufacturers of power supplies include it in the package. Reverse configuration is also possible as the 20-pin plug fits into the 24-pin connector.

However, mechanics do not always coexist successfully with electronics. The manufacturer decides for himself which combination can be used and which not. Some boards use an additional 4-pin Molex socket, like on optical drives or hard drives, to which the corresponding power supply plug is connected. In general, always read the instructions for the motherboard before installing.

Connects mechanically, but does not work. So the manufacturer of the motherboard decided.

Also in the ATX12V 2.0 standard there is a mandatory SATA power connector. It was already seen in the 1.3 standard, but now it has become mandatory. So it's time to say goodbye to power adapters for SATA hard drives. Moreover, as practice shows, they are very inconvenient. But the ATX standard does not specify the number of SATA power connectors.

No more needed: SATA adapter.

SATA power connectors coming directly from the power supply. There is both a straight fork and an angled one.

In the guide, we have analyzed in detail the main features of classic ATX power supplies. Now is the time to get acquainted with specific models. For better understanding, we have divided the devices into five categories. Let's start with budget solutions for office computers and finish with top-end gaming models.

Top-end system - top-end power supply!

Power supplies for office computers

Power supplies for office equipment are very often already built into the enclosures with which they are supplied. As a rule, the quality of such an integrated "feed" depends on the quality of the case itself. But we all understand perfectly well that an office workhorse should be cheap and low-powered. Below we bring to your attention the proven models that you can trust.

LEPA N350-SB

This model was announced relatively recently. However, it is of some interest to assemblers of low-cost work computers. Despite the low price in the region of 1000 rubles, the N350-SB has a very uncommon appearance in the style of sports cars. Of course, it won't be visible in a closed case, but any PC builder will appreciate it.

The device does not have an additional power cable for PCI-E expansion cards, but it has all the necessary connectors, including three SATA connectors. In principle, everything is logical, because office PCs usually use the integrated graphics core of the processor for displaying images.

The quiet 120mm fan with hydraulic bearing, which has a beneficial effect on the acoustic characteristics of the device, is not bypassed. The cables are long enough to fit even housings with a bottom-mounted PSU. We also note the high-quality assembly of the N350-SB as a whole and the use of competent schematic solutions.

FSP Group ATX-350PNR

A very popular and noticeably added power source in recent years. At a cost of about 900 rubles, it is one of the best budget PSUs. The appearance matches its category, but there are no sharp corners or burrs. Very often it comes with a system unit, as it has proven itself only on the positive side. So if you come across an ATX-350PNR when buying a case with an integrated power supply, consider yourself lucky.

FSP Group ATX-350PNR

The device is equipped with a 120mm Yate Loon D12SM-12 fan. It cannot be called absolutely quiet, but the noise level can be considered acceptable. Models with a stamped fan grille are louder.

The printed circuit board is universal; on its basis, power supplies for 400 and 450 W are manufactured.

All the necessary filter elements are present in the primary circuit, the installation was done quite carefully. Electrolytic capacitors are manufactured by OST and TEAPO, which is a rarity for this PSU class. Power connectors are enough for assembling an inexpensive PC, although the length of the cables is small, but this is already nit-picking.

Enermax Triathlor ETA385AWT

The last "subject" can definitely be recommended to those wishing to assemble an economical computer, while not sparing money for the "feeding trough". Its high quality is immediately indicated by the declared power of the + 12V bus, which actually corresponds to the rating of the entire power supply unit. The + 12V line is divided into two virtual buses with a 20A limit. Of the important features, it is worth noting the presence of a power connector for the video card. It's hard to judge about its urgent need for a working PC, but this is an absolute plus.

Enermax ETA385AWT

The power supply can be installed in housings with a bottom position of the PSU, since the length of the wires allows you to do this. The element base for this class is excellent, a 220 uF (400 V) capacitor manufactured by Panasonic is installed at the input, and electrolytes are mainly from Nippon Chemi-Con in the secondary circuit. The only significant drawback, in our opinion, is the noise level at loads above 200 W. The manufacturer has a lot to work on.

In general, the ETA385AWT has a right to exist and is, in fact, a unique power supply unit.

Power supply unit for multimedia computers of entry level

SeaSonic G-450

Why, if we are talking about an entry-level PC, then it must necessarily consist of cheap components? Nobody bothers a user who wants to get a high-quality and stable computer from paying an additional several thousand rubles.

The power supply complies with the 80 PLUS Gold standard, the efficiency level of which does not fall below 88%. The + 12V bus can transmit up to 37 A of current, so the use of a discrete video card clearly suggests itself to the system. Another undoubted advantage of the "trough" we consider the presence of detachable cables.

In the secondary circuit, the manufacturer uses the latest generation DC-DC converter circuitry with a common + 12V rail. Instead of Schottky rectifier diodes, field effect transistors are used. The electrolytic capacitors in the primary and output circuits are manufactured by the renowned companies Nippon Chemi-Con and Rubycon. The polymer "kegs" are manufactured by United Chemi-Con and Enesol. Ripple level and KNX (cross-load characteristics) of the G-450 are ok.

The cooling system of the device provides a comfortable noise level, while the temperature of all components is within acceptable limits. In addition to all of the above, I would like to add that the warranty for this model is 5 years.

Corsair VS450

Inexpensive and very high quality power supply. If we take into account the package bundle, the set of connectors and the length of the cables, it will be quite enough for assembling a system with a good processor and one discrete video card. Please note that the power supply is non-modular, so you should take care of laying the remaining "tail" in advance.

With an average cost of 1,600 rubles, the VS450 is equipped with a solid element base. It does not have an APFC, but at such a low power rating, this is not so critical. All the necessary filtering and protective elements are wired in the primary circuit, most of the electrolytic capacitors are manufactured by CapXon. The installation is done neatly, the quality of the soldering is neat. The output voltages have an acceptable ripple level, while at different loads they behave stably, although not ideal.

The device is equipped with a 120mm Yate Loon fan, which provides good cooling quality with acceptable acoustic characteristics. The noise from the rotating blades becomes noticeable only at high loads.

Thermaltake LT-450P

Another representative of the budget category. It does not represent anything supernatural, but it has a number of advantages over competitors. Despite the low power rating, it has all the cables you need, and you probably won't have to buy adapters.

Thermaltake LT-450P

The PSU is equipped with four SATA and five MOLEX connectors, which is quite enough by modern standards. The motherboard power cable is covered with a black braid, the rest of the wires are not protected by anything. The length and spacing of the connectors are suitable for routing in small midi-towers.

Still, the greatest advantage of this power supply unit, in our opinion, is a good stabilization system even at a load of 400 watts. Not every "trough" in this price category can boast of such results. The efficiency level is at least 80%. But the noise level emitted by the cooler is quite noticeable.

As a result, for 1,600 rubles you get a solid power supply with stable voltage levels and a good element base.

Medium Gaming Power Supplies

AeroCool Strike-X 600W

For quite a reasonable price, the buyer will receive a decent power supply. This is not to say that it is devoid of any visible flaws, but it works out its value in full.

AeroCool Strike-X 600W

AeroCool in the Strike-X series uses a fairly high-quality element base, including capacitors from the well-known Teapo company. We are satisfied with the rather high quality of installation and soldering. The large 139mm fan effectively cools the internal components, but at high RPM it makes itself felt to keep in mind.

The power supply is equipped with APFC, has the 80 PLUS Bronze certificate, the + 12V bus is designed for loads up to 50 A. Modders and gamers will also like the unusual red and black color with the fan grill in the form of the letter "X".

For the rest, the PSU is quite ordinary, with the use of common circuitry solutions.

"Golden" power supply, which we could not pass by. The appearance of the V550 is made in restrained colors, although it looks very nice and win-win. The power supply is partly modular, the detachable cables have a flat profile, which facilitates their routing in the case and has a beneficial effect on air circulation.

Cooler Master V550 Semi-Modular

By the way, the OEM-manufacturer of this PSU is SeaSonic. Circuitry solutions led to shortening of conductive lines, additional boards are directly soldered to the main PCB, which reduces the level of interference. The power supply unit is based on a modern resonant LLC-inverter.

The input APFC capacitor is manufactured by Hitachi, and the polymer and electrolytic secondary lines are manufactured by Teapo.

The power supply demonstrates a good voltage stabilization ratio, low noise level, and decent acoustic characteristics over the entire load range.

Chieftec BPS-500S2

The last representative we reviewed can attract a potential buyer at a very pleasant price. The power supply complies with the 80 PLUS Bronze standard, that is, the efficiency does not fall below 85%. APFC is also used in the BPS-500S2 design. Unfortunately, the PSU is not modular, however, if desired, most of the cables will most likely be used. Given the length of the wires, the BPS-500S2 is best suited for installation in small enclosures with a bottom-mounted power supply.

Chieftec BPS-500S2

The element base is pretty good at such and such a price. By the way, Chieftec has never been caught in an unscrupulous layout.

The device is equipped with a 120 mm fan, the noise from which turned out to be very low. It was also noticed that even at high loads, the temperature of internal components is within acceptable limits, which indicates the high-quality operation of the cooling system and relatively low electrical losses.

Power supplies for top gaming systems

Enermax REVOLUTION87 + 650W

Almost a year has passed since the release of this model, but it is still relevant and popular. It should be noted right away that REVOLUTION87 + 650W is a partially modular power supply. The power cables of the motherboard and processor are not detachable, which, however, will not cause any inconvenience.

Enermax REVOLUTION87 + 650W

The feeder is equipped with four 6 + 2 pin connectors for connecting PCI-E devices. This number of ports allows you to connect two high-performance video cards. The wires are long enough for routing in medium-sized enclosures.

The power supply meets the 80 PLUS Gold standard and the power factor approaches 0.99. Excellent performance! The + 12V bus has three "subchannel" lines with a current limitation for each 25 A. The total load capacity of + 12V is 648 W, which practically corresponds to the PSU rating.

The REVOLUTION87 + 650W is equipped with a 139mm fan, manufactured with Twister Bearing technology, which guarantees quiet and long-lasting operation.

The power supply has an excellent component base with the use of modern technologies. It remains to add that the REVOLUTION87 + 650W is covered by a five-year warranty.

Corsair CX750M 750W

The main advantage of this power supply is, of course, its cost. For 3900 rubles, today it is difficult to find a power supply unit capable of delivering more than 600 watts of energy with the 80 PLUS Bronze certificate.

The CX750M is partially modular, which can also be considered a definite plus. And the cables are long enough even for routing in some Full-Tower cases. The detachable wires have a flat profile, which is especially important to reduce the areas of overlapping air flows. Considering the number of possible connectors, the CX750M can easily become the backbone of a system with two high-performance graphics cards.

Thanks to the use of quality components, Corsair engineers managed to maintain a small size and weight with a relatively high power supply. An important factor in its favor is good stabilization of output voltages at various load levels, as well as a low ripple amplitude.

The only, in our opinion, more or less noticeable drawback is the noise level at loads above 500 W.

Chieftec GPM-850C 850W

Another curious model from Chieftec. The device is certified according to the 80 PLUS Gold standard. There is all the necessary set of connectors. Including for building SLI / CrossFire arrays. However, it should be noted that the length of the cables is not the most acceptable.

Chieftec GPM-850C

The element base of the GPM-850C is far from outstanding, but quite good for its value. The secondary circuit is based on a modern synchronous rectifier using DC-DC converters for + 3.3V and + 5V lines. Polymer capacitors are soldered on the modular connector board. The rest are electrolytic, produced by well-known companies.

The GPM-850C does an excellent job even with overclocked high-end components, while the temperature of the internal components is within acceptable limits. And all this "good" is offered at retail for an average of 4,300 rubles.

ZALMAN ZM650-XG

"Gold" power supply. One of the representatives of the GOLDROCK line. The device is perfect for building a high-performance gaming system. The power supply is modular. The wires are long enough to run even in large enclosures, but especially tall towers may require a CPU extension cable.

The VP series in the Antec catalog includes entry-level power supplies, and the VP700P, rated at 700W, is the most powerful. But entry level doesn't mean low. If you focus on the data provided by the manufacturer, then Antec VP700P has all the necessary qualities: a two-year warranty, a small but sufficient set of connectors, active PFC. The device complies with the ATX12V 2.4 specification, according to which the PSU must provide stable operation at extremely low load on the + 12V bus. This requirement arose in connection with the appearance of low-voltage C6 / C7 modes in Haswell processors, in which the current on the CPU drops to the level of 0.05 A.

The unit does not have 80 PLUS certification, although we can tentatively say that according to the declared efficiency of 88%, the device meets the Bronze category. The reason is simple: compliance with any 80 PLUS requires the ability to operate on 110 V networks, which the Antec VP700P lacks to simplify circuitry. The only thing that confuses: the manufacturer indicated only the maximum efficiency value. How things are in reality - we will check in tests.

Most of the power comes from the two + 12V lines - 636W combined. In this case, the load on each of them separately cannot exceed 35 A.

The average cost of Antec VP700P in Moscow online stores is 3.5 thousand rubles. This is not much for a 700 W power supply unit: for smaller amounts, mainly different no-name products are sold or products of recognizable, but not very well-deserved manufacturers of power supplies on the market.

⇡ Scope of delivery, design

The only neighbor of Antec VP700P in its simple and compact package is the power cable. Well, what else do you need from a BP if you don't want to overpay for it?

Antec VP700P: "honeycomb" back panel is well ventilated

The unit itself is made in a case of an unassuming design. The cables leave the PSU in a single bundle: a 24-pin "hose" in a decorative braid, the rest - as it is. The set of connectors is as follows:

• 1x24 (20 + 4) contacts;
• 1x8 (4 + 4) contacts (CPU power supply);
• 4x8 (6 + 2) pins (additional power supply for PCIe cards);
• 6 x SATA;
• 4 x Molex;
• 1 x Floppy.

⇡ Internal structure

The PSU components are cooled by a 120 mm fan. Manufacturer - Yate Loon, model - D12SH-12 (sleeve bearing, maximum impeller speed - 2200 rpm).

Antec VP700P: the cooler is connected to the board with two wires

The board (manufactured by FSP) has a very "old school" circuitry, in some places there are visible traces of savings on components, but no obvious hack. As on the outside, the Antec VP700P has everything you need inside. Build and solder quality - no hitch without a hitch.

Antec VP700P: Active PFC uses a CapXon capacitor

At the input, a two-link EMI filter of the simplest, but quite sufficient design is used. There is a fuse and varistor that protects the device from short-term voltage surges.

The rectifier is assembled from individual diodes with a nominal value of 3 A, which together gives a power limit at the input of 1380 W at a mains voltage of 230 V. The only bad thing is that, unlike the integrated rectifiers that are used in more expensive PSUs, the diodes are not equipped with a radiator. Let us remind you once again that Antec VP700P can only work in networks with a voltage of 200-240 V. Support for 110 V was removed in order to save money.

Antec VP700P: the first pair of capacitors CY of the input filter is soldered on the pins of the power connector

The voltage converter is built according to the common forward topology with two-switch forward transistors. The transformer has two secondary windings for 12 and 5 V buses - unlike PSUs with a more modern device, which use a single secondary winding in combination with DC-DC converters to output voltages of 5 and 3.3 V. Voltage 3.3 V is taken from same winding as 5V via a saturable inductor circuit (MagAmp).

The rectifiers in the three bus bars use paired Schottky diode assemblies. Synchronous rectifiers on field-effect transistors, which have a higher efficiency, remain the prerogative of more expensive power supplies. The 12 V bus is equipped with four assemblies in parallel, the other two got one each. The ripple filter on each bus is represented by a choke and a single electrolytic capacitor manufactured by the same CapXon with a capacity of 1000 uF. Here Antec was very stingy: in more expensive models, at least twice as large capacitors are used, as a rule, several pieces per bus.

The phenomenon of two 12V lines, which are stated in the unit specifications, boils down to the fact that the bundle of wires for powering the CPU has a filter that is separate from the rest. In addition, it is possible that the second bus is connected to one of the four channels of the Silicon Touch PS229 monitoring microcircuit, which provides protection against critical under / over voltage on the buses and overcurrent in the load.

Antec VP700P: CapXon 1000uF capacitors in secondary filters

The 5V rail has no additional regulator besides the group regulator that serves the three main buses together. The 3.3 V rail has its own saturable choke regulator. Therefore, one cannot count on ideal voltage stabilization with a load skewed towards one or another bus. True, such loads are found, to put it mildly, infrequently.

⇡ Testing methodology

Since our last articles on power supplies, the testing methodology used in the 3DNews laboratory has not changed. You can familiarize yourself with it in full, for example, in this article. The Efficiency Chart of the PSUs under Test provides benchmarks against the 80 PLUS family.

Test results

The test with the combined load was best handled by the 12V rail. For any current ratio between the 12V rail and 5 / 3.3V rail, the voltages on it remain within the limits allowed by the ATX standard (deviation no more than 5%). Not perfect, but quite acceptable result.

But further - a pleasant surprise: Antec VP700P, unexpectedly for its modest positioning, showed an efficiency of at least 88% declared by the manufacturer at a power of 700 W, and at a reduced load this figure reaches 94% at all. Only at 10% of the power there is a failure of the schedule up to 78%.

⇡ Conclusions

The manufacturer saved a lot both on external features and on the circuitry of the unit, but did not lose anything really necessary for the PSU and performed much better in tests than could be expected. The block's capabilities are quite enough for a powerful computer with one or even two, but not prohibitively gluttonous, graphic cards.

Of the characteristics we tested, claims arose only for the stabilization of the 5 V and 3.3 V buses, but in a modern computer they are unlikely to be loaded so much that the voltages go beyond the permissible limits. In addition, the block has weak ripple filters, although we did not check how this manifests itself in practice.

The most important thing is that while maintaining normal voltages on all buses, Antec VP700P delivers power close to nominal, and does not have any glaring flaws in the circuitry. For such a low cost, this is already very good. After all, inexpensive power supplies rarely get into the focus of test labs, and with regard to the Antec VP700P, we now know what to expect from it and what not.

Power
from 120 to 2400 W
The power supply has this power.
This parameter is most important for power supplies. However, the more powerful the system, the more energy consumption it has.
For computers used in offices, 300-400 W is quite enough power, but a powerful PC for gamers will need 450-600 watts. A power supply with a capacity of more than 650 W is needed for top-end configurations with two video cards.

Cooling system
View of the cooling system of the power supply. Today, power supplies are produced with one, two fans, and those without fans - fanless.
The most common cooling system is with one fan. In budget models, 80 mm fans are installed, these fans spin up to several thousand rpm, minus - they make a lot of noise. In more expensive models, fans are installed with a much larger diameter - more than 120 mm.
Sometimes a second fan is also built into powerful power supplies, which, of course, increases the cooling efficiency, but significantly increases the noise level.
In fanless power supplies, only radiators are used to dissipate heat. The advantage of this type of power supply: they are completely silent. Disadvantages - high cost, as well as power limitation (this cooling system cannot completely cool powerful power supplies). Today, power supplies that do not have fans do not exceed 600 watts.

Fan diameter
from 14 to 180 mm
Diameter of the fan installed in the power supply.
Typically a fan with a larger diameter operates at a lower speed and therefore produces less noise (cooling efficiency does not change). If you need a quiet ventilation system, buy power supplies with a fan with a diameter of at least 120-140 mm.

Second fan diameter
from 40 to 80 mm
Diameter of the second fan installed in the power supply.
Typically a fan with a larger diameter cools at a lower speed and produces less noise (the cooling performance does not change).

Fan speed
Rotation speed of the fan installed in the power supply.
The higher this value is, the louder the fan is. Many powerful power supplies have a function that automatically changes the fan speed depending on the temperature, this function helps to reduce the noise level.

PFC
Power Factor Correction (PFC) method in the power supply unit.
The power factor is the value obtained by dividing the active power (the power that goes into useful work) by the received power. The closer the power factor is to unity, the better. Two methods of power factor correction have been developed - a passive method and an active one. The active correction method is much better, because the power factor with it reaches a large value - 0.95-0.99, and with the passive correction method - only 0.7-0.75. A high power factor is needed by those who have low-power UPSs, because to ensure the functioning of a power supply with a passive PFC, a much more powerful (by about a third) UPS is needed than to ensure the functioning of a power supply of the same power, but with an active PFC. By the way, power supplies with active PFC are not so sensitive to undervoltage in the network.

ATX12V version
from 1 to 2.52
The version of the ATX12V standard supported by the power supply.
The ATX12V standard is a list of specifications that defines the design of a power supply. This standard was introduced after the Pentium 4 processor was released. The main difference from the previous standards is a significant increase in power on the +12 V line (before the Pentium 4 processor, power was supplied via the +5 V line). The main differences between the versions of the standard
1.3 - a 20-pin power connector is required for the motherboard, as well as an additional 4-pin power connector for the processor. The current on the +12 V line is at least 10 A.
2.0 - a 24-pin power connector is required for the motherboard, as well as an additional 4-pin power connector for the processor. The presence of at least 2 + 12V lines is mandatory.
2.2 - a 24 (20 + 4) -pin power connector is required for the motherboard, as well as an additional 4-pin power connector for the processor.

TFX12V version
1.3 to 2.4
The power supply supports TFX12V standard. The Thin Form Factor standard was developed for small systems in 2002 by Intel. The power supply is characterized by a narrow, elongated shape. 180-300 W is the typical power of the PSU.

EPS12V support
The power supply supports EPS12V standard.
This standard is for entry-level servers. Firms that produce power supplies for home computers mention this standard in order to emphasize the reliability of their products.

80 PLUS certificate
The compliance of the power supply unit with one of the certification levels implies the compliance of this model with certain energy consumption standards (the efficiency of the power supply unit must be at least 80%). The higher the certification level, the more efficient the PSU.

Connectors

Motherboard connector type
View of the connector for the motherboard. Power is supplied to the motherboard through this connector. Modern motherboards use a 24-pin connector, older motherboards had a 20-pin connector. Many power supplies produced today have a collapsible 24-pin (20-pin + 4-pin) connector to establish compatibility with older motherboards.

Number of connectors 4-pin CPU
from 1 to 2
The number of connectors 4-pin CPU.
This connector supplies additional power to the processor. A huge number of motherboards produced today (about half) are equipped with a 4-pin CPU connector.

Number of connectors 4 + 4 pin CPU
from 1 to 2
The number of connectors is 4 + 4 pin CPU.
This connector supplies additional power to the processor. This connector is collapsible, it is compatible with motherboards with an 8-pin CPU connector, and with motherboards that have a 4-pin CPU connector.

Number of connectors 8-pin CPU
from 1 to 2
Number of connectors 8-pin CPU.
This connector supplies additional power to the processor.

Number of connectors 6-pin PCI-E
from 1 to 20
Number of 6-pin PCI-E connectors.
Powerful video cards released today require additional power. Power is supplied to the video card through the 6-pin PCI-E connector.
If you are planning to build a CrossFire or SLI system, then the additional connectors will come in handy.

Number of connectors 6 + 2-pin PCI-E
from 1 to 20
Powerful video cards released today require additional power. Power is supplied to the video card through the 6 + 2-pin PCI-E connector.

Number of connectors 8-pin PCI-E
from 1 to 8
The number of connectors 8-pin PCI-E.
Powerful video cards released today require additional power. An 8-pin PCI-E connector is used to supply power to the video card.
If you are thinking of building a CrossFire or SLI system, then the additional connectors will come in handy.

Number of connectors 4-pin IDE
from 1 to 16
Number of 4-pin IDE connectors.
This connector supplies power to IDE hard drives and CD / DVD drives.

Number of 15-pin SATA connectors
from 1 to 62
Number of 15-pin SATA connectors.
The 15-pin SATA connector supplies power to CD / DVD drives and SATA hard drives.

Number of connectors 4-pin Floppy
from 1 to 8
Number of 4-pin Floppy connectors.
The 4-pin Floppy connector supplies power to the floppy drive.

Current strength

On the +3.3 V line
from 4 to 40 A
The maximum value of the current along the line is +3.3 V.
In previously released PCs, the main load fell on the +3.3 V and +5 V buses.However, with the introduction of the Pentium 4, the +12 V bus became the main energy consumer.That is why today the current along the +3.3 V line is not particularly important, because all power supplies currently being produced has sufficient power on the given bus.

On the +5 V line
from 5.3 to 52 A
The maximum value of the current on the line +5 V.
In previously produced personal computers, the main load was on the +3.3 V and +5 V buses. However, after the introduction of the Pentium 4, the +12 V bus became the main consumer of electricity. sufficient power on this bus.

On the +12 V line 1
from 6 to 200 A
The most "gluttonous" elements of modern computers - the processor and the video card - are powered via the +12 V bus. For this reason, the higher the current on this bus, the better.
Usually the +12 bus is divided into several lines for safety reasons.

On the +12 V line 2
from 7 to 85 A
The maximum value of the current on the first line is +12 V.
Power is supplied to the processor and the video card via the +12 V bus. The higher the current on this bus, the better.
For safety reasons, the +12 bus is divided into several lines.

On the +12 V line 3
from 6 to 45 A
The maximum value of the current on the third line is +12 V.
The +12 V bus supplies power to the video card and processor, these components are the most "power hungry" components. The more current is supplied through this bus, the better.
As a rule, the +12 V bus is divided into several lines for safety reasons.

On the +12 V line 4
from 8 to 45 A
The maximum value of the current strength on the fourth line is +12 V.
On the +12 V bus, power is directed to the video card and the PC processor, these are the most "gluttonous" elements. Therefore, the more current flows through the bus, the better.
Usually the +12 bus is divided into several lines for safety reasons.

On the +12 V line 5
from 15 to 30 A
The maximum value of the current strength on the fifth line is +12 V.
The +12 V bus supplies power to those components of modern PCs that consume the most energy. Therefore, the higher the current flowing through this bus, the better.
The +12 bus is usually divided into several lines to improve safety.

On the +12 V line 6
from 17 to 30 A
The maximum value of the current strength on the sixth line is +12 V.
On the +12 V bus, power is supplied to the most "gluttonous" components of personal computers, so the more current that goes through this bus, the better.
This bus is usually divided into several lines for safety reasons.

On the +12 V line 7
The maximum current on the seventh line is +12 V.

On the +12 V line 8
from 0.3 to 0.3 A
The maximum current on the eighth line is +12 V.
The +12 V bus supplies power to the processor and video card - the most "power hungry" components of modern PCs. Therefore, the more current on this bus, the better.
As a rule, for safety reasons, the + 12V rail is divided into several lines.

On the line -12 V
from 0.1 to 300 A
The maximum value of the current along the line is -12 V.
A voltage of -12 V is required for the operation of the COM ports.

On the +5 V Standby line
from 0.5 to 12.5 A
The maximum value of the current on the +5 V SB line.
The +5 V SB (Standby) bus is required for such functions as turning on the PC via a modem, via a local network, by pressing a button on the mouse or keyboard, and also for the Suspend-to-RAM mode.

Noise level

Minimum
from 2 to 34 dBA
The minimum noise level created by the cooling system during the operation of the power supply. The lower the value of this parameter, the more comfortable the work will be. But it should be noted that in most computers the main noise comes not from the power supply, but from the processor cooler.

Maximum
from 5 to 45 dBA
The level of noise generated by the cooling system when the power supply is operating.
The lower the value of this parameter, the more comfortable work with a PC will be. However, it should be said that in many PCs the main noise comes not from the power supply, but from the processor cooler. The noise level is measured in dBA. Measuring the value of the noise level in dB is a little incorrect, because the human hearing aid is designed in such a way that the volume perceived by the ear depends on both the sound pressure level and the frequency of the incoming sound. Loudness in dBA is the perceived loudness, that is, the sound pressure value that takes into account the structural features of the human hearing aid.

Input voltage

Minimum
from 85 to 230 V
The minimum input voltage that the power supply supports. The voltage in the network in different countries is different: in Europe and Russia, the standard is 220 Volts, in Japan or the USA - 110 Volts. Universal power supplies allow you to maintain the input voltage in certain ranges (the range depends on the device model).

Maximum
from 220 to 280 V
The maximum input voltage that the power supply supports. The voltage in the network in different countries is different: in Europe and Russia, the standard is 220 Volts, in Japan or the USA - 110 Volts. Universal power supplies allow you to maintain the input voltage in certain ranges (the range depends on the device model).

Additional Information

Detachable cables
Unused cables can be detached, then they will not interfere with the assembly of the PC, connecting new devices to it.

Overvoltage protection
The power supply has a system overvoltage protection function.
If the output voltage is higher than the allowable value, then this function will automatically turn off the power supply, this will save the computer components from burnout.

Overload protection
The power supply has an overload protection function.
If the output current is greater than the allowable value, the function will automatically turn off the power supply, this action will save the computer components from burnout.

Short circuit protection
The power supply has a system short circuit protection function.
If a short circuit occurs, the protection system will instantly turn off the power supply, while keeping all computer components and the unit itself from burning out.

Backlight color
The backlight installed in the power supply will give your computer a personalized design. There are models with different illumination colors.

Power supply color
The main color of the power supply case. As a rule, computer equipment is made in neutral calm colors, most often black, white or silver devices that will harmoniously fit into any interior.

Dimensions (edit)

Width
from 20.5 to 360 mm
Device width.

Height
from 19 to 190 mm
Device height.

Depth
from 2 to 360 mm
Depth of the device.

The weight
from 0.4 to 140 kg
Device weight.

Whose products are being developed in Germany, it offers on the Russian market a wide range of products for users, including power supplies, cases for desktop computers, as well as gaming peripherals, both in the middle and top market segments.

While the Cougar GX-F PSUs are 80-Plus Gold certified high quality and efficient power converters, they fall within the acceptable mid-range for the best value for money.

The Cougar GX-F family of power supplies includes three models, the GX-F 550W, GX-F 650W, and GX-F 750W, with power ratings of 550, 650 and 750 watts, respectively.

SilverStone Launches ST30SF V2.0 Compact Power Supply

Taiwan-based SilverStone is well known for its distinctive chassis, power supplies and cooling systems. She is rather conservative about the appearance of her products, preferring strict forms and shades, and also, as a rule, maintains the continuity of design within one series. Based on this, it is not surprising that the manufacturer endowed the new 300-watt SFX power supply unit with the already "occupied" name ST30SF and inherited its appearance from the 2013 model (ST30SF V1.0). Simply put, under the name SilverStone ST30SF V2.0, in an inconspicuous black case hides not just an upgraded power supply unit, but a completely different product.

The block is made in a case with sides of 125 mm, 100 mm and 63.5 mm and weighs 1 kg. It shares with its predecessor 80 PLUS Bronze certification, ATX12V v2.4 compliance and integration of overcurrent, overvoltage and short circuit protection. The novelty, most likely, uses the OEM platform not from FSP (ST30SF V1.0 base), but from another manufacturer. This is indicated by the following circumstances:

• the new model has additional protection mechanisms - against overpower and undervoltage;
• a different range of permissible ambient temperature (0-40 ° C, not 10-50 ° C);
• new current values ​​for all lines (+3.3 V, +5 V, +12 V, + 5VSB, -12 V).

Tom "s Hardware believes that this time SilverStone has enlisted the help of Enhance engineers. The new design approach for the 300-watt SFX PSU benefits from a more reliable + 12V (25A / 300W) line and better protection of PSU nodes from ST30SF V2.0 internal testing also showed a slight increase in efficiency in 230 V networks relative to the old model - from 84-87% to 85-88%. Not without a few fly in the ointment: in extreme heat (> 40 ° C) a unit with a V2.0 prefix is ​​more prone to loss of power, in addition, it is less resistant to overload along the +3.3 V and 5 V lines (90 W in total, not 103 W, as in its predecessor) , and does not support semi-passive fan operation.

Instead of an 80mm fan, the SilverStone ST30SF V2.0 uses a Carlson with a 92mm impeller. Its maximum speed does not exceed 2200-2300 rpm, and the threshold of 1000 rpm is overcome only when the power supply unit is increased to 70-75% of the nominal value. Noise level data are not very informative: the minimum for V2.0 is 18 dBA, the maximum for V1.0 is 38 dBA.

The cables for ST30SF power supplies are non-removable, the configuration of the connectors is identical: one ATX, EPS12V, PCI-E Power (6 pins) and FDD Power, two 4-pin Molex and three SATA Power. The novelty from SilverStone was discovered by us on the pages of the online store