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Review: Akasa vs FSP - 500W PSU shootout

by Josh Blodwell on 2 April 2007, 08:48

Tags: Akasa, FSP Group (TPE:3015)

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qah72

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FSP Blue Storm II 500W in detail



At first glance the FSP looks significantly different to the Akasa. When you take a second look, though, you'll see they're very similar



The differences between the FSP and the Akasa are indeed minor. The FSP comes in blue, which is a nice change from the usual black, grey or silver we're accustomed to. It has an illuminated power switch and a gold grille over its single 120mm intake fan. But that's where the differences end.

Like the Akasa, all the cables are sheathed almost fully end-to-end, and all the cables are permanently wired into the supply. No modular connections here either. However, the wires are colour-coded, which makes it easier to identify the correct cable when you're working in the PC, and adds to the overall bling factor: if that's what you're looking for.

More importantly each PEG connector is wired to a different 12V rail, which helps to spread loading evenly across the supply. Also quite important is the fact that the supply sucks less than 1W of power when it's in standby mode, which is nice to see. After all, who wants to pay to leave their computer switched off?



In the box you'll find the obligatory 3-pin power cable, a badge and screws and some Velcro ties, to help you tidy away your unwanted cables and bundle the others as you route them around your chassis.