1200 W or more combined with high efficiency – features like these turn a common PSU into a high-end PSU. The five power supplies create an impressive test field: 6700 W total power, the most we ever had in a round-up test. But raw power alone isn’t everything when we talk about PSUs priced above $250. Other criteria, like efficiency, electrical quality, and feature set are similarly important. All five test candidates turned out to be strong, highly efficient power supplies, but we did manage to find a few minor flaws. Let’s look at the PSUs one by one:
If it wasn’t for the tiny 80 Plus Platinum logo, we’d shower the Antec HCP-1300with accolades. But if you talk the talk, you’d better walk the walk, and if you put an80 Plus Platinum logo on your product, you’d better meet its requirements. And the Antec PSU simply doesn’t comply with the 80 Plus Platinum standard, if only at full load – it comes in 1.5% shy of the requirements. Apart from that, the HCP-1300 is a solid performer and its electrical quality is outstanding, although it sports fewer connectors than its competitors. On the other hand, the Antec PSU has a unique feature: You can link two of them together for a total of 2600 W. The fan operates quietly in all load conditions.
The Cooler Master V1200 managed to convince us two months ago when we first tested it, and our opinion hasn’t changed since then. Of course, like the strikingly similar Seasonic Platinum-1200 and the slightly more powerful Antec HCP-1300, it offers less power than both 1500 W supplies. But if 1200 W is sufficient for you, you can’t go wrong with the Cooler Master PSU: Excellent workmanship, a rich feature set, and impeccable electrical quality. The hybrid fan control ensures silent operation at low wattages, but even when the fan operates, it never becomes annoying.
The Corsair AX1500i is not just a high-end PSU – think of it as the high end of the high end. Not only does it offer the extremely high power of 1500 W, it manages to do that with a single 125 A rail. Its depth and weight also exceed anything we’ve previously seen. The Corsair PSU is the first PSU in our lab which bears the coveted 80 Plus Titanium logo, and rightfully so. While its cable lengths are more than sufficient, and there is a large number of connectors, a few other high-end PSUs offer even more connectors. However, its ripple and noise numbers are in a class of its own, and the fan is very quiet when it turns on – at low loads it doesn’t, due to the hybrid fan control feature.
The Enermax Platimax 1500 is an oddball among the test candidates: Right now, only a 230 V version is available, and its warranty period is a mere 5 years. Technically, a 230 V supply cannot carry the 80 Plus Platinum logo. But even at 230 V input voltage, this power supply fails to comply with the 80 Plus Platinum logo requirements at full load. But don’t get us wrong – this is still an extremely powerful, highly efficient PSU with excellent electrical quality. The only thing we didn’t like is the fairly noisy fan.
The Seasonic Platinum-1200 is strikingly similar to theCooler Master V1200. There are but a few differences: The Seasonic PSU sports a longer hold-up time, but its fan is noticeably louder and its price is slightly higher.
Well, you don't seem to understand fully.
They don't really consume more power than the connected hardware demands. On the other hand, they have an amazing efficiency rating, meaning that they use a minimum of power, and are therefore better for the planet.
However, none of these PSUs are as interesting as the SF Leadex.
However, none of these PSUs are as interesting as the SF Leadex.
Agreed! That's why I wanted to see the P2 here.
Well, you don't seem to understand fully.
They don't really consume more power than the connected hardware demands. On the other hand, they have an amazing efficiency rating, meaning that they use a minimum of power, and are therefore better for the planet.
Pity the Thermaltake Toughpower XT Gold 1475W wasn't included, I've obtained
half a dozen of them recently, excellent PSUs.
Ian.
About that Antec 1300w PSU, according to their site, it says that has a "20+8-pin MBU socket for the needs of tomorrow."
Do you guys have any info on this?
http://store.antec.com/highcurrentpro/hcp-1300-platinum.html
Wow, way to discredit yourself completely. You're reviewing power supplies and you've never heard of Super Flower?
Not so sure about that. What they did was order a top model from Seasonic for their flagship power supply. No guarantees the rest of the product line will come from Seasonic. If they don't, as they never did in the past, then they will have no relation whatsoever with the flagship product. This is why I never buy power supplies from brands, only from the actual manufacturers.
Not so sure about that. What they did was order a top model from Seasonic for their flagship power supply. No guarantees the rest of the product line will come from Seasonic. If they don't, as they never did in the past, then they will have no relation whatsoever with the flagship product. This is why I never buy power supplies from brands, only from the actual manufacturers.
True, but i was saying that compared to their other series, like the SilentPro and GX series. But still even if it's not from seasonic they bench pretty good.
Ihr Browser eine ganze Seite nur durch den Nachweis der Einstellungen auf Ihrem PC in Ihre Muttersprache übersetzen. dies ist eine amerikanische Website.
If you only build simple systems, sure, but many people build something very different. Max RAM, many
drives, oc'd 6-core, 4-way SLI/CF, etc. Mine is like that, and it's not even a particularly way out example.
Also depends what you're using it for. My quad-580 is for CUDA research, whereas my gaming PC is
just a 4-core i7 with two 580s. I use the top-end PSUs for custom video editing systems so they can
support 4+ GPUs for lots of CUDA power, etc.
Ian.
Wow, way to discredit yourself completely. You're reviewing power supplies and you've never heard of Super Flower?
I thought the same thing. Then I read this:
"Using multiple graphics cards in a gaming PC is, however, a rare occurrence, as modern graphics cards are sufficiently powerful even for the most demanding games – there is simply no need for combining graphics cards via Nvidia’s SLI or AMD’s CrossFire."
and the article went from suspect credibility to no credibility. Ignorant author is ignorant. Find another website to get a legit look at high wattage PSU's, apparently.