• all categories
• cpu
• chassis
• graphics
• mainboards
• network
• notebooks
• storage
• systems
• memory
• events

Our latest compo with SCAN and NVIDIA is three dimensions of AWESOME.

printer friendly layout     discuss in the forums     email to a friend

Final thoughts, HEXUS.awards, HEXUS.where2buy, HEXUS.right2reply, related reading

All the PSUs we tested were EPS models and 10mm - or more - deeper than a standard ATX power supply. We've said it repeatedly already but, just in case we didn't say it clearly enough - they may not fit into your ATX case.

However, those of you with modern cases may not have problems. But, check carefully before buying to avoid expensive egg on your face.

The Enermax Galaxys are far and away the biggest of the PSU under consideration and they're also the only models to use a fan larger than 80mm. Each combines a 135mm intake fan with an 80mm exhaust and the result is cool and quiet running.

In stark contrast, Tagan's strategy of using a pair of 80mm fans in a push-pull configuration is loud and, thus, outdated.

And, not only is the Tagan loud, the noise is especially unpleasant - the whiny tone is hard to live with. But, as far as cooling goes, the twin-fan arrangement is actually very effective.

In terms of fans, the SilverStone Zeus PSUs were the worst offenders. Each uses a single 80mm intake fan and that proved to be loud and whiny.

All five power supplies were able to meet or marginally exceed their rated power, given the loads we applied. Clearly, there's not much to complain about anywhere as far as the stated power is concerned.

The best wiring was on the Enermax PSUs - both of which are almost fully modular. The kilowatt version allows you to power a staggering number of SATA drives - 18 in all - without even resorting to splitter cables. With support for only three fewer drives, its less-powerful stablemate isn't lacking in that direction either.

There was also some useful cabling on the two SilverStone models. The 750W version has a mass of adaptors, while the 850W version has each cable run labelled so you know what rail each wire is connected to.

All of the supplies on test had at least some partially-sheathed cables. But the Tagan 800W distinguished itself by the copper shielding on its EPS and PEG cables - and then went further by adding an RF choke to the latter.

An interesting spread of features, pros and cons then. Hopefully, they'll help steer you in the right direction, dependant on what's most important to you.

HEXUS.certification

The idea of HEXUS.certification is to confirm that a product tested does what it's supposed to do. It's not an award, merely a confirmation that a product is fit for purpose.

We were distinctly unimpressed by the fan-noise on the two Silverstone Zeus PSUs. A PC power supply, especially a modern one, simply shouldn't be noisy - and definitely not that noisy. Nonetheless, the Zeus PSUs did what we asked of them - though we're a bit surprised that they could hear our requests above their own racket.

The Tagan Dual Engine 800W also did pretty much what it says on the tin, so that model, too, merits certification even though it's in the same noise-league as the Zeus PSUs. The noise, though, is a bit more understandable - the Tagan has two fans and they providing more cooling for the same noise level than the SilverStone PSUs.

And that leaves us with the 850W and 1000W Enermax Galaxys to consider. We didn't see (or hear) anything to disbar either model from certification. These are powerful PSUs that pretty much do what's claimed for them and do it quietly. They also have the advantage of being largely modular, allowing you to keep clutter to a minimum by attaching only the power feeds that are needed.

HEXUS.awards

So, did we find any PSUs that stand out from the crowd? Yes, the Enermax Galaxy 1000W is the undoubted star of the show, as well it should be at that mind-boggling £224 price-point.

This PSU is better in almost every regard than the models it went up against.

If we needed an ultra-powerful PSU, this giant is the one we'd be most happy to install (assuming it would fit, of course!). It's also the one we'd expect be able to live with most happily.

The price is extreme but so is the performance. The Enermax Galaxy 1000W is what we'd recommend. But if you don't need quite that much power, you'd be fine with any of the PSUs we've examined today, assuming you're happy with the feature-set and the specific foibles we've described.

HEXUS.where2buy

Enermax Galaxy 850W - £165 from SCAN
Enermax Galaxy 1000W - £224 from SCAN
SilverStone Zeus 750W - £110 from SCAN
SilverStone Zeus 850W - £152 from SCAN
Tagan Dual Engine 800W - £114 from SCAN

None of the prices above includes delivery but that's free from SCAN if you're a regular poster in the HEXUS.community.

HEXUS.right2reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.

HEXUS related reading

HEXUS.net - PSUs - all reviews and news
HEXUS.net - reviews :: 600-700W PSU shootout
HEXUS.net - reviews :: 400-500W PSU shootout
HEXUS.net - reviews :: Akasa vs FSP - 500W PSU shootout
HEXUS.net - reviews :: FSP Group Booster X3
HEXUS.net - features :: Deep inside FSP Group - what a reputable PSU-maker does to ensure it won't electrocute you

Copyright © 1998 - 2010, HEXUS.net. All rights reserved. Terms, conditions and privacy information.
HEXUS® is a registered trademark of HEXUS Limited.