Power Supply Roundup: 730W to 900W
by Christoph Katzer on November 22, 2007 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Product Comparison - Cable Length
As you can see below, we have a new cable length comparison chart now. This should make it easier to compare the various PSUs with all of the test units in each roundup appearing in each chart. We will have multiple images for the various connector types to keep things manageable. We've color coded the background from red to green as an indication of how well the cables will work in full-size towers. Naturally, if you have a smaller case and prefer not to have extra cable snaked into the crannies, you might prefer a PSU with shorter cables.
All of the test units in this roundup have a minimum length of 50cm on all harnesses, making them a good match for larger cases. Hiper and Cooler Master have slightly longer cables on some or all of the ATX harnesses, with a length of 60cm or 24".
The graphics power connectors (also called PEG connectors) present a very different approach from the companies. Hiper includes one long and one shorter harness, which make sense as the two graphics cards are above each other and therefore you won't need the same length for both of the harnesses. Unfortunately, the 730 and 770W models don't include any 8-pin PEG connectors.
The 880W unit has two harnesses with two connectors each. The first one is an 8-pin connector and the second is a 6-pin. The problem with this approach is the amount of power delivered on the individual wires. If the user attaches both connectors to a demanding GPU, you end up with a potential for 225W to come across a single rail - potentially enough to cause problems, though testing proceeded without incident. While no current graphics cards require this much power, a modified design would be appreciated.
Seasonic also has an odd design. Their PEG harness only has six cables, but they still utilize an 8-pin PEG connector at the end. Two of the wires serve double duty and connect to two pins, but ideally and 8-pin PEG connector would have eight wires from the PSU. Whether these cables are a higher gauge in order to deal with the additional demands is not clear, but again testing proceeded without any noticeable difficulties.
All the other units have real 8-pin PEG connectors to power up the latest graphics cards. Silverstone wins the longest 6-pin cable competition with their 70cm/28" harness, though the other three connectors are a more modest 50cm length.
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31 Comments
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Christoph Katzer - Friday, November 23, 2007 - link
The arrangement will be changed next time ;)What about the amount of PSUs? Too many?
strikeback03 - Tuesday, November 27, 2007 - link
I like the voltage vs. load charts used previously better than the bar charts. Obviously impractical with a 10 PSU roundup, but I hope they come back for smaller articles.Would it at least be possible to keep a consistent order to the PSUs, instead of sorting by output voltage? On the 3.3V charts on page 4 for example, it's confusing to have the Hiper 730 at the bottom of the 20% chart then the top of the 50% chart.
Dayneaw - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
The first graph on page six seems to be missing the results of the silverstone.rickon66 - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
I love it when folks complain without even reading the review."Maybe you just forgot to upload the final page?"
Maybe you just forgot to read the review!!
Anyway-Good job on the review.
Talcite - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
Good job guys, the o-scope readings/explanations are particularly nice =D.SOLIDNecro - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
No "Final thoughts" or "Conclusions"???A summary report is one of the most important, if not most important part of any article, to leave it completely up to the reader to draw conclusions based on charts requires to much time and expertise for your average reader!
Also your "Editors" choice awards are invaluable, you guys are the "Pro's" and should be able to guide the reader to what you would purchase for your own rig, and why it stood out from the rest of the pack
Maybe you just forgot to upload the final page?
JEDIYoda - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
So whats so hard about making your own conclusion and thinking a little bit?Editor`s awards are bogus!
Grow up dude!
JEDIYoda - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
Editor choice rewards awards are bogus!You can read and comprehend - can`t you?
Make up your own mind!
Christoph Katzer - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
Just check the new arrangement. I wrote the comparison first and if somebody is interested to know more about a product he/she can check details after. The conclusion is on page 8.ChronoReverse - Thursday, November 22, 2007 - link
I find it rather confusing that way. I also thought that there was no conclusion until I read the comments.That said, I do usually read the conclusion first. Perhaps it should go back to the end and then a short abstract placed in the front?