As stagnant as the desktop's become about the best we could hope for is to declare about 1/3rd to 1/2 of the pins in the big connector optional (-12v, most of the 3.3/5v, and a few of the corresponding grounds) and have a big sparsely wired connector.
I'm not sure a right angle 24pin socket is actually a good idea in general. Cable routing is far worse with it in a compact case without wiring space behind the mobo. Even if you have wiring space behind the mobo, it's still a much more cramped space to be trying to make the tight bend you need to get it into position. It also makes having a cable hole mis-aligned with where the mobo connector is a lot more problematic; with a vertical socket you can just feed an extra few inches up to shift to the side, horizontally not so much. Lastly I'd be a bit leary about it just in terms of general strain relief. The great big fat cable can pull on the socket really hard if it's alignment is off and a tall cable loop coming up gives a lot more potential slack to dissipate the force than a tight 180* turn coming through the cable hole.
It's easy to overlook a typo on the box to pick up a very reasonably priced PSU with high efficiency and good test results. The absurdly long warranty is a bonus. I think we've got a winner here.
How does this compare to the RM550x, which made it onto your best of list last year?
It looks like a pretty good unit, though, and for a little bit less than the 550x. Hopefully we can see more stock like you said. I can't find it in the US at all.
These PSU reviews might not gather as many comments or as much appreciation, but the next time someone is putting together a new build they will appreciate the time and effort spent. BitFenix has been doing some really great things lately and it looks like this PSU will continue that trend. Nice job with this review.
I appreciated the side-by-side review of the two models - interesting to discover the changes that go into engineering a high capacity PSU. This PSU looks great inside and out. If it wasn't for the safety hazard, this would look great with an open case.
Great addition, especially the 450W. Sub $70, great build quality, ripple suppression, efficiency and voltage regulation. The 850W might have a hard time competing with stronger players like Evga and Seasonic though. The 450W looks great for an affordable modern build.
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Chaitanya - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
Those cables certainly look nice, especially the 24pin cable.HomeworldFound - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
The 24pin cable looks pretty good. The 24pin ATX cable has really gotten annoying for me. Is there no way to further innovate in that area?The_Assimilator - Thursday, February 16, 2017 - link
Barring another revision of the ATX spec, the best we can hope for is right-angled 24-pin connectors on motherboards a la EVGA.DanNeely - Thursday, February 16, 2017 - link
As stagnant as the desktop's become about the best we could hope for is to declare about 1/3rd to 1/2 of the pins in the big connector optional (-12v, most of the 3.3/5v, and a few of the corresponding grounds) and have a big sparsely wired connector.I'm not sure a right angle 24pin socket is actually a good idea in general. Cable routing is far worse with it in a compact case without wiring space behind the mobo. Even if you have wiring space behind the mobo, it's still a much more cramped space to be trying to make the tight bend you need to get it into position. It also makes having a cable hole mis-aligned with where the mobo connector is a lot more problematic; with a vertical socket you can just feed an extra few inches up to shift to the side, horizontally not so much. Lastly I'd be a bit leary about it just in terms of general strain relief. The great big fat cable can pull on the socket really hard if it's alignment is off and a tall cable loop coming up gives a lot more potential slack to dissipate the force than a tight 180* turn coming through the cable hole.
BrokenCrayons - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
It's easy to overlook a typo on the box to pick up a very reasonably priced PSU with high efficiency and good test results. The absurdly long warranty is a bonus. I think we've got a winner here.jardows2 - Thursday, February 16, 2017 - link
Maybe it's intentional, and should be read as Perf-Romance - as in you'll fall in love with the "perf" of this product!fire400 - Sunday, February 19, 2017 - link
lol.. great marketing strategyDrumsticks - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
How does this compare to the RM550x, which made it onto your best of list last year?It looks like a pretty good unit, though, and for a little bit less than the 550x. Hopefully we can see more stock like you said. I can't find it in the US at all.
fanofanand - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
These PSU reviews might not gather as many comments or as much appreciation, but the next time someone is putting together a new build they will appreciate the time and effort spent. BitFenix has been doing some really great things lately and it looks like this PSU will continue that trend. Nice job with this review.wolfemane - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
I really wish this review had come out just a few days earlier. Wound up getting a RM550x for a bit more. BUMMER!voicequal - Thursday, February 16, 2017 - link
I appreciated the side-by-side review of the two models - interesting to discover the changes that go into engineering a high capacity PSU. This PSU looks great inside and out. If it wasn't for the safety hazard, this would look great with an open case.Samus - Saturday, February 18, 2017 - link
Their cases get so much right and so much wrong. It's nice to see their PSU's get so much right and nothing wrong.Bearmann - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - link
I think that many of the EVGA units also use capacitors in the cables.refillable - Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - link
Great addition, especially the 450W. Sub $70, great build quality, ripple suppression, efficiency and voltage regulation. The 850W might have a hard time competing with stronger players like Evga and Seasonic though. The 450W looks great for an affordable modern build.shreduhsoreus - Friday, October 27, 2017 - link
That 450W model is getting 80+ Platinum level of efficiency! The 850W model isn't too far off from it either.