Inexpensive Antec PSUs are the same as any other inexpensive PSU: they have to cut some corners. The high-end stuff is generally in a different league.
SPCR gives good power supply reviews. The CP-850 and CP-1000 in particular seem to be high quality. The catch is they only fit several Antec cases. In any case, don't just go by brand name.
into a 20amp circuit. Or dont bother having anything else turned on in that room.
1200watts, 110% load = 1320 Watts / 84.04% efficent = 1570.68Watts / 120V = 13 amps. Most outlets really only see ~115 volts. Which puts you at 13.65 amps.
Most room circuits are wired at 15amps. Which means with this psu maxed out you have about 230 Watts left over for everything else.
A lot of people buying this probably don't need 1200 watts. There is some prestige to having a 1.2kW PSU, but what kind of system is really going to stress this power supply? Maybe if you got one of those 7x PCIe x16 motherboards and created a GPU distributed computing number cruncher, perhaps. But I'd think a more typical tri-SLI setup would have problems pushing 50% usage on this thing.
If you buy a cheap supply, its going to be cheap. Regardless of the brand. I have a mid-range Antec and I have been very happy with it. Its quiet, and it weighs about 3x more than the cheaper PSU it replaced.
I'm not a big fan of having less than a 120mm fan, but the reviewer covered it when he said that you'd hear the rest of the system before a 1200W PSU under load.
I'm glad that you've stopped using the charts that were in previous articles (as they were not easy to read and comprehend), but good charts are much better than tables, so hopefully soon you'll figure out a good chart to use.
Yeah...that happens. It happens with anything...especially with electronics.
What model was it? If it was REALLY one of their halo products, I am not sure how you came to the conclusion that it was built cheaply.
Of course you have some people who think the PSU is such a simple design and that there is no excuse for a well built PSU to fail. People like that just make me roll my eyes...and usually ignore them from then on.
Antec used to have a reputation for using low temperature Caps that would fail at actual operating temperatures over time. I had assumed that they stopped doing this, but it is possible that they still use this practice.
In general the more popular ODMs will have a portfolio of designs. Some better than others. In my experience this is where some of the vendors get away with shady practices. Entry level components get hidden within a shiny exterior, marketed as something they are not and no one is the wiser.
I'd like to see the status quo among reviewers/enthusiasts change to focus on relative comparison, and historical performance of the ODM models inside PSUs. As it stands now we tend to focus on a visual inspection, and essentially a second wave of manufacturer QC testing.
When we discuss SSD or GPU we consider the chipset first, and the brand second. This enables the community to make better informed decisions, and allows us to steer trends in product development, rather than the vendor hooride that is the PSU market.
If it's a pricey model that you've had for only 6 months why didn't you return it for RMA instead of opening it up? Doesn't Antec have a three year warranty?
Don't get me wrong. I too opened up my failed Antec PSU... my ten year old PSU. Replaced it with an Antec 380W Green PSU. Can't beat $30 Fry's special. I also had another Antec PSU fail after 4 years (a TP 430w during their bad years). I still have a TP 550 that is humming along in my wife's machine going on 5+ years. I'd say more often than not that Antec makes quality power supplies. Of course I have switched to using Seasonic PSUs, but they are not cheap.
" particularly if you are a gamer with Triple-SLI or Quad-Crossfire systems."
The nine fanbois' in the USA that have rigs like that don't read AnandTech. Its likely they don't even read above a 5th grade level, "D00d!"
I wish AnandTech would stop pimping cr*p like this. Only about 1% of the readers need a Kilowatt powersupply. There needs to be more reviews on 400W and lower, highly efficient power supplies that cost less than US$50. These are the PSUs that 99% of the readers need and own.
If Anand wanted to do us all a favor, he would bend the ear of representatives at Seasonic, Enermax, and Corsair, and tell them that is what is needed, not powersupplies that dim the house lights when you boot your computer.
95 Amps on the 12V rail?! Finally. I found a replacement unit for my spot welder. Just kidding, I'm sure this will make a fine plasma cutter power source...
PC tuning enthusiast rejoice. Finally a 2 in 1 solution PSU arrives that can easily weld the sheet metal on the modded case and power the build computer as well. No expense has been spared in making the unit a 80 PLUS uncertified device.
How much exactly do you know about internal PSU design?
Maybe you think the generic looked neat and clean because it hard hardly any components in there, while the Antec looked junky because it was crammed full of components.
ok this is so shocking for me, to just see the sight of psu above 1 kilowatt........i mean why do you THINK we SHRINK the chips and simplify the programs(browsers, video drivers) ....this range of products is an OXYMORON for technology and reviewers should not encourage them.
Almost bought this one till I read a review where they tested with cables that did not have built in capacitors. Basically to get performance from this psu you need those specific cables. Also the capicitors are relatively bulky and could get in the way of a tight multi gpu build. Spent the additional 30 dollars on corsair AX 1200.
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Alchemy69 - Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - link
Very silent? Isn't that like a little bit pregnant?computergeek485 - Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - link
haha yea pretty muchshin0bi272 - Wednesday, July 7, 2010 - link
My case has a dual power supply setup... Even running triple or quad SLI I wonder how long it would be before I would need 2 of these. he he heJarredWalton - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
Inexpensive Antec PSUs are the same as any other inexpensive PSU: they have to cut some corners. The high-end stuff is generally in a different league.atmartens - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
SPCR gives good power supply reviews. The CP-850 and CP-1000 in particular seem to be high quality. The catch is they only fit several Antec cases. In any case, don't just go by brand name.michal1980 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
into a 20amp circuit. Or dont bother having anything else turned on in that room.1200watts, 110% load = 1320 Watts / 84.04% efficent = 1570.68Watts / 120V = 13 amps. Most outlets really only see ~115 volts. Which puts you at 13.65 amps.
Most room circuits are wired at 15amps. Which means with this psu maxed out you have about 230 Watts left over for everything else.
Why?
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
Why would you be loading it to 110%?michal1980 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
ok, at 100% your at nealry 12amps.Still darn close to the limit of most circuits at home
Simple put, a 15amp circuit can put out 1800watts.
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
But why are you assuming that people would be running the PSU at 110%.That would be the fault of the owner, not the fault of Antec for building a 1200W PSU.
A triple SLi GTX 480 setup would need about a 1200W PSU, although it wouldn't be pulling that much power.
Not a good idea to even run a PSU at 100% for extended time.
Besides, just put the PSU on its own 15A circuit.
Moricon - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
Ha,here in UK we have 240v Yay us :) 3000w at our disposal.bobbozzo - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
Most houses in the US have 20A circuits, but 15A outlets.Klinky1984 - Saturday, July 10, 2010 - link
A lot of people buying this probably don't need 1200 watts. There is some prestige to having a 1.2kW PSU, but what kind of system is really going to stress this power supply? Maybe if you got one of those 7x PCIe x16 motherboards and created a GPU distributed computing number cruncher, perhaps. But I'd think a more typical tri-SLI setup would have problems pushing 50% usage on this thing.Klinky1984 - Saturday, July 10, 2010 - link
Well, perhaps I underestimated the power-fatty Fermi is.cactusdog - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
This doesnt appeal, there are much better options out there with truly silent 140mm fans. Most new high end PSUs are going back to a single rail too.HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
>most new high end PSUs are going back to single railI wouldn't say that at all....some companies want single rail, but I think MOST is a serious exaggeration.
Why does it matter anyway?
Stuka87 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
If you buy a cheap supply, its going to be cheap. Regardless of the brand. I have a mid-range Antec and I have been very happy with it. Its quiet, and it weighs about 3x more than the cheaper PSU it replaced.doctormonroe - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
I'm not a big fan of having less than a 120mm fan, but the reviewer covered it when he said that you'd hear the rest of the system before a 1200W PSU under load.I'm glad that you've stopped using the charts that were in previous articles (as they were not easy to read and comprehend), but good charts are much better than tables, so hopefully soon you'll figure out a good chart to use.
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
Yeah...that happens. It happens with anything...especially with electronics.What model was it? If it was REALLY one of their halo products, I am not sure how you came to the conclusion that it was built cheaply.
Of course you have some people who think the PSU is such a simple design and that there is no excuse for a well built PSU to fail. People like that just make me roll my eyes...and usually ignore them from then on.
Martimus - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
Antec used to have a reputation for using low temperature Caps that would fail at actual operating temperatures over time. I had assumed that they stopped doing this, but it is possible that they still use this practice.TGressus - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
In general the more popular ODMs will have a portfolio of designs. Some better than others. In my experience this is where some of the vendors get away with shady practices. Entry level components get hidden within a shiny exterior, marketed as something they are not and no one is the wiser.I'd like to see the status quo among reviewers/enthusiasts change to focus on relative comparison, and historical performance of the ODM models inside PSUs. As it stands now we tend to focus on a visual inspection, and essentially a second wave of manufacturer QC testing.
When we discuss SSD or GPU we consider the chipset first, and the brand second. This enables the community to make better informed decisions, and allows us to steer trends in product development, rather than the vendor hooride that is the PSU market.
bigboxes - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
If it's a pricey model that you've had for only 6 months why didn't you return it for RMA instead of opening it up? Doesn't Antec have a three year warranty?Don't get me wrong. I too opened up my failed Antec PSU... my ten year old PSU. Replaced it with an Antec 380W Green PSU. Can't beat $30 Fry's special. I also had another Antec PSU fail after 4 years (a TP 430w during their bad years). I still have a TP 550 that is humming along in my wife's machine going on 5+ years. I'd say more often than not that Antec makes quality power supplies. Of course I have switched to using Seasonic PSUs, but they are not cheap.
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
NeoPower is not exactly a Halo product. It is about a high medium level product.The point is that sometimes you have electronics that are built on a solid design, but fail early. Maybe 1 in 100 NeoPowers would do that.
The NeoPowers had at least average to above average build quality...so I still don't understand your claim that it was cheaply built.
Black Jacque - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
" particularly if you are a gamer with Triple-SLI or Quad-Crossfire systems."The nine fanbois' in the USA that have rigs like that don't read AnandTech. Its likely they don't even read above a 5th grade level, "D00d!"
I wish AnandTech would stop pimping cr*p like this. Only about 1% of the readers need a Kilowatt powersupply. There needs to be more reviews on 400W and lower, highly efficient power supplies that cost less than US$50. These are the PSUs that 99% of the readers need and own.
If Anand wanted to do us all a favor, he would bend the ear of representatives at Seasonic, Enermax, and Corsair, and tell them that is what is needed, not powersupplies that dim the house lights when you boot your computer.
Perisphetic - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
95 Amps on the 12V rail?! Finally. I found a replacement unit for my spot welder. Just kidding, I'm sure this will make a fine plasma cutter power source...Perisphetic - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
PC tuning enthusiast rejoice. Finally a 2 in 1 solution PSU arrives that can easily weld the sheet metal on the modded case and power the build computer as well. No expense has been spared in making the unit a 80 PLUS uncertified device.HOOfan 1 - Sunday, July 11, 2010 - link
How much exactly do you know about internal PSU design?Maybe you think the generic looked neat and clean because it hard hardly any components in there, while the Antec looked junky because it was crammed full of components.
VIDYA - Monday, July 12, 2010 - link
ok this is so shocking for me, to just see the sight of psu above 1 kilowatt........i mean why do you THINK we SHRINK the chips and simplify the programs(browsers, video drivers) ....this range of products is an OXYMORON for technology and reviewers should not encourage them.molecriket - Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - link
99.9% of readers don't care about this overkill. a complete waste of effort.JimDDuncan - Saturday, December 18, 2010 - link
Almost bought this one till I read a review where they tested with cables that did not have built in capacitors. Basically to get performance from this psu you need those specific cables. Also the capicitors are relatively bulky and could get in the way of a tight multi gpu build. Spent the additional 30 dollars on corsair AX 1200.