Power Supply Roundup: Part II

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Conclusion: Recommendations for Hiper and Corsair

Our editorial team’s recommendation is the Type R MKII 680 from Hiper. It is a solid power supply which has an interesting, unique feature—USB interfaces.

The voltages provided by this model are stable and constantly within specifications. In addition, the unit has a commendable level of efficiency in normal operation. It only drops very low in standby mode due to the integration of the USB interfaces.

The best buy recommendation is the older HX520W unit from Corsair. For right around $120, you get a solid power supply with modular, flat, flexible cables that are easy to install.

Despite the older design, the efficiency of the power supply can still impress even today, particularly under partial load and during standby.

The Fortron and the Everest 600 power supplies came up with a good idea, enabling partially passive operation. But our high expectations for the feature were not met. Their fans start up at a lower load than is specified and becomes very loud in the transition range.

TOPICS
Daniel Schuhmann
39 Comments Comment from the forums
  • slomo4sho
    Nice review, I was hoping to see the Antec NeoPower series as well :(
    Reply
  • bf2gameplaya
    I use the Enermax Modu82+ 625W version (same design) and I can attest the 12v rails are rock solid, they just don't sag or dip under any load.

    The fan is interesting, I am used to the variable control knob but I do not miss it as the fan is silent under all but the heaviest sustained load and then it is audible, but not loud. It is a 120MM fan (quieter) but it is clear (louder). The fans' RPM monitoring lead is a must for my system board monitoring program as I could adjust other fans and settings based on the PSU fan RPM if I wanted, but as I run a near silent system, I have no need.

    I wish it was $50 cheaper, but you get your money's worth, no mistaking that.

    Reply
  • will the hx520 can hold uo with a 4870X2 or 280GTX with a high end overclocked pc?
    Reply
  • mafj
    Hi,
    I sill miss some bits.
    I would like to see how overcurrent and overheat protection works, whether mains spikes can damage the power supply.
    Whether joining +5V with +12V rail (as may happen when e.g. CDROM fails) will burn the other components.
    And noise/heat level.
    Reply
  • bobbknight
    Yep just about as informative as the first part, IE. not very.
    Unless you put the thing under load and oscilloscope the outputs for ripple and open it up to see the type of parts used and the construction quality. reviews of this type are next to meaningless.
    Reply
  • Pei-chen
    Love my 22 month old Antec NeoPower HE 550.
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    "But there is no 82Plus standard."

    Clearly these folks don't know about the different colors of the 80+
    program. The enermax is rated at the bronze level which must be 82% efficient. There is also the silver and gold level rating.

    google is your friend.
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    "For what it’s worth, that’s good enough to qualify the supply for the 80Plus Bronze certification, if Enermax pursued it."

    Not only did enermax pursue it, but if you go to 80plus.org, you will
    see that they are already certified at the bronze level. (80plus.org is
    down right now, or I would provide a url showing it.)
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    If you go to enermax's site, http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_56
    they have a big honking picture of the 80+ bronze certificate and the 6 power supplies it applies to. I fear tomshardware has not done their homework.

    Other than owning a 5 year old Enermax, I have nothing to do with the
    company. I have 5 antec earthwatts powersupplies, and a seasonic power supply in my 80+ collection.
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    Listing "Confusing “82+” specification in the product name" as a negative, clearly shows where the confusion lies, and it isn't with enermax.

    The 80+ standard is several years old. The newer colored standards of bronze, silver, and gold are newer, but that is the wonder of technology.
    For a technology web site, keeping up with newer things such as standards is necessary.
    Reply