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X-Connect 500W Modular PSU

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-you-can dept.

VL writes "Sure, power supply reviews aren't all that interesting, but we take a look at one nice PSU that delivers power where it counts, and best of all, it is the best modular setup we've seen in this market segment."

4 of 126 comments (clear)

  1. yet SPAM hits us again by freaker_TuC · · Score: 4, Insightful


    so, come on, what's the deal?

    * Posted by CmdrTaco
    * by VL, viperlair, the company selling these PSU's

    NEWS for Nerds or STUFF for Nerds? If I need stuff for nerds I go to my local PC supplier or I go to thinkgeek but this is a lil bit over the top not ?

    --
    --- I am known for the ones who want to find me on the net. Is that a privacy risk or a privilege? One might wonder..
  2. noise by mixmasterjake · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "According to specifications, the fans will generate 34 dB of noise at full speed, which is certainly far from silent."

    I was kinda psyched a while back when I replaced my old power supplies on two boxes w/ 400 watters. (the biggest i had heard of at the time). Stupidly, I failed to realize how much louder the new power supplies were. I don't know how many dbs exactly, though they verge on annoying.

    --
    TODO: come up with a clever sig
  3. Rolandpiquepaille-ism by Rosco+P.+Coltrane · · Score: 5, Funny

    In case you didn't notice, this very nice review was brought to you you by a nice dotcom that has absolutely no interest in making you visit them....

    --
    "A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
  4. except no mention of things that really count by ChumpusRex2003 · · Score: 5, Informative
    I'm very concerned about all those extra connections. The connections are the weakest point on current PSUs/motherboards; I have seen a number of PSUs or boards with melted connectors because they were either of substandard quality or not fully pushed home.

    Each connector provides additional resistance in the circuit leading to voltage sags and heat build up in the connectors.

    I'd be more interested if this PSU offered high efficiency and Active PFC. (Active PFC opens the way for more efficient PSU designs). Current PSUs offer an electrical efficiency of about 68% - on a high-end system, the PSU could be pumping out over 100 W of heat itself, making it even more of a space heater than the CPU - and requiring substantial fans too.

    Modern industrial SMPSs can achieve electrical efficiencies which are much higher. I've seen telecoms grade 400W PSUs claim efficiency of over 95% - so the technology exists to mass produce these things today.

    Also, this review made no mention of protection systems:

    • Any overheat protection?Or will the PSU burn under overload or if a fan fails?
    • Over voltage protection? Will the PSU shut off if an overvoltage condition occurs? Is there a 'fail-safe' crowbar system which can guarantee the safety of the rest of your PC (even if it has to sacrifice the PSU?)

    Incredibly, the safety features listed above, are not standard on all PC PSUs - only a very few offer crowbar protection.