X-Connect 500W Modular PSU

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."

Comments

Rolandpiquepaille-ism

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

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....

except no mention of things that really count

[ChumpusRex2003]

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.