Antec TP-II 550W with messy cables!! I'm so angry!!

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
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Okay today I just recieved my Antec TruePower-II 550W power supply. I am sad to say that right after opening it and losening all the cables, I discovered that they are all tangled and twisted within each other. There is no way of untangling the cables without opening the power supply (which voids the warranty) and removing the connectors and rerouting the cables properly. Also the connector at the end of the SATA cables is not removable like how it is on my Coolermaster and other power supplies. So I won't even be able to sleeve this power supply as I had originally planned. This leaves me very frustrated right now because honestly I thought this power supply was going to be the answer to all my problems. But now I am back to square one.

Every single power supply on the market right now has an issue that is against what I am looking for in one way or another.

If I went with the Seasonic S12 600W, I am dealing with the twisted cables, and short lengths. Twisted cables I do not like, and the short length is definately not good for a P180, or having good cable management.

If I got an a PC Power & Cooling 510 SLI, I have everything I am looking for, except for the loud fan. PC P&C website says this fan is between 34-44dba. That is wayyy too loud, I don't even understand why would they use such a loud fan? Why not either use two quiet fans, or go the 120mm route like everyone else seems to be doing?

If I got the OCZ Powerstream 520 or 600w I am dealing with those ugly green LED fans that I do not want. I will have the lack of an SLI ready power supply, and will have to use an adapater to connect a second video card. And we are back to the twisted cables, and short lengths of the Seasonic.

As you can see there is no way out of buying the perfect power supply for my needs without using some kind of modification and voiding my warranty along with the modification. It really sucks how I am clueless right now on what to do.

The power supply with the lease issues is the PC Power & Cooling, only having a loud fan as the only issue. It has the sleeved cables already. They are long enough for the P180, and good forcable management. The cables are not twisted within each other making a complete mess like how the Antec is. So the only downsides would be price and the loudness of the fan. Price isn't as much of an issue to me, as I am willing to pay the price for this power supply, as we all know it is the best of the best. But I am worried it is going to be too loud for my tastes, and will sound like a damn hair dryer.

If anyone has any experience with the PC P&C 510 in a Antec P180, please let me know. I was wondering if the fan would be quiet in my setup since the power supply is mounted on the bottom, and isn't getting the heat from all the components in the upper compartment going into the power supply, therefore making the fan hardly spin up. While using a 120mm fan mounted below in the P180, blowing air into the PC P&C, I am wondering if the fan would spin at really low RPM, and causing it to be less noisy. If so I think I really might consider it.

Right now I definately need to RMA this Antec, but the only problem is I have to replace it with something. Newegg will not give me a refund without charging a 15% restocking fee, so basically I am being forced to find something else. Any thoughts and opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks.
 

Dynamix3D

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Oct 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: KoolHonda
Dunno, I'm happy with mine, but I didn't get it for looks;)

neither did I. The TP-II isn't even an appealing power supply as far as looks good. It's standard grey power supply, has a black fan, and no LED's? what is there to like about the looks?

I just want something that has everything I need in one. And obviously there isn't a power supply like that, so I have to sacrifice somewhere.
 

enwar3

Golden Member
Jun 26, 2005
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i was gonna recommend a neopower, with the optional cable thing, but they only come at 480w tops, and might not be enough for u. i dont know anything about other power supplys =( sry..
 

Waylay00

Golden Member
Nov 15, 2004
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You don't have to remove the power supply cover to untangle all of the wires. When you remove the connectors, untanegle them. I am currently sleeving my TP 2.0 and all is going well. For the unremovable SATA connectors, just use a little bit bigger sleeving (expanadable over 150%), and all looks nice.
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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The PCP&C 510 isn't an option, the fan controller starts it out at high speed regardless of temp. If the Seasonic S12's cables really are too short then maybe take a look at PCP&C Silencer line.
 

KoolHonda

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Sep 24, 2002
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Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: KoolHonda
Dunno, I'm happy with mine, but I didn't get it for looks;)

neither did I.
Then I'm not sure why you don't like it? Do you have a clear side panel and want it to look neat and tidy inside?
 

Arcanedeath

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2000
2,822
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I have a friend that has a seasonic s12 430 w/ an Antec P180 and although some of the cables were a strech he didn't have any trouble getting all of them to reach (he did use 1 Y adaptor to reach the top fans and have enough molex plugs though.)
 

Dynamix3D

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Oct 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: Operandi
The PCP&C 510 isn't an option, the fan controller starts it out at high speed regardless of temp. If the Seasonic S12's cables really are too short then maybe take a look at PCP&C Silencer line.

This is just horrible. I don't understand why they couldn't just come up with a soultion for at least a little bit quieter running power supply. 34-44dba is just rediculous.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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Yeah, Antec doesn't score very well on getting the cables neatly bundled right out of the PSU enclosure. *pokes AntecCSR, this has been an ongoing thing with your supplier, dude*
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: Operandi
The PCP&C 510 isn't an option, the fan controller starts it out at high speed regardless of temp. If the Seasonic S12's cables really are too short then maybe take a look at PCP&C Silencer line.

This is just horrible. I don't understand why they couldn't just come up with a soultion for at least a little bit quieter running power supply. 34-44dba is just rediculous.

So whats wrong with the Silencer?
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
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Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: Operandi
The PCP&C 510 isn't an option, the fan controller starts it out at high speed regardless of temp. If the Seasonic S12's cables really are too short then maybe take a look at PCP&C Silencer line.

This is just horrible. I don't understand why they couldn't just come up with a soultion for at least a little bit quieter running power supply. 34-44dba is just rediculous.

So whats wrong with the Silencer?

only goes to 470W, and isn't optimized for SLI setup. Not enough amps on the 12v rail

 

Pabster

Lifer
Apr 15, 2001
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Dynamix,

I'm running the PC P&C 510W-SLI in a P180 right now. Trust me, it isn't THAT loud.

And you are right, it is the best money can buy (except for the PC P&C 850 :D)
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: Operandi
The PCP&C 510 isn't an option, the fan controller starts it out at high speed regardless of temp. If the Seasonic S12's cables really are too short then maybe take a look at PCP&C Silencer line.

This is just horrible. I don't understand why they couldn't just come up with a soultion for at least a little bit quieter running power supply. 34-44dba is just rediculous.

So whats wrong with the Silencer?

only goes to 470W, and isn't optimized for SLI setup. Not enough amps on the 12v rail

I really doubt that, what are you planning to build?
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
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I am planning to build a 7800GTX SLI system.

Here is the Minimum recommended power supply on Slizone.com
(7800GTX - 500-550W, 12+ @ 30A)
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_howtobuild_2.html

The rating on the PC P&C 470W Silencer (The highest model) is only 26A on the 12v rail. Therefore, it does not meet the minimum requirements. Not to mention, since 30A is the minimum require, obviously you want to have a little bit more than that so you can have some headroom for other components.
 

rise

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2004
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Originally posted by: mechBgon
Yeah, Antec doesn't score very well on getting the cables neatly bundled right out of the PSU enclosure. *pokes AntecCSR, this has been an ongoing thing with your supplier, dude*

whats wierd is the last tpII 550 i got last friday had wires much, much neater than my previous ones. i was a bit stunned really.

i could see where the rats nest they bundle the wires would be a problem for people looking to sleeve.
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
I am planning to build a 7800GTX SLI system.

Here is the Minimum recommended power supply on Slizone.com
(7800GTX - 500-550W, 12+ @ 30A)
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_howtobuild_2.html

The rating on the PC P&C 470W Silencer (The highest model) is only 26A on the 12v rail. Therefore, it does not meet the minimum requirements. Not to mention, since 30A is the minimum require, obviously you want to have a little bit more than that so you can have some headroom for other components.

Well that guide is wrong, 26A is enough. Even with dual 7800GTXs there is no way your going to draw 300 watts from the 12v rail.
 

Bona Fide

Banned
Jun 21, 2005
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I think you got a bum copy, bro. Sorry to hear your troubles. Mine is working fine right now, and I'm gonna look for decent sleeves over the weekend. 150% expandability :Q

Anywho...you could try an RMA directly to Antec. I've talked to their online tech support extensively, and they are EXTREMELY helpful.
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
810
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Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
I am planning to build a 7800GTX SLI system.

Here is the Minimum recommended power supply on Slizone.com
(7800GTX - 500-550W, 12+ @ 30A)
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_howtobuild_2.html

The rating on the PC P&C 470W Silencer (The highest model) is only 26A on the 12v rail. Therefore, it does not meet the minimum requirements. Not to mention, since 30A is the minimum require, obviously you want to have a little bit more than that so you can have some headroom for other components.

Well that guide is wrong, 26A is enough. Even with dual 7800GTXs there is no way your going to draw 300 watts from the 12v rail.

You do realize that SLIzone.com is nVidia's site designed specifically for SLI updates. Which means you are saying that nVidia is putting invalid requirements for there products on there own website.

Also you do realize that amps and watts are different. The Antec TP-II 550W has more amps on all rails than the Seasonic 600W. So if more watts = more amps, then obviously the Seasonic should have more amps that the Antec considering it has 50 more watts.
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
810
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Originally posted by: Bona Fide
I think you got a bum copy, bro. Sorry to hear your troubles. Mine is working fine right now, and I'm gonna look for decent sleeves over the weekend. 150% expandability :Q

Anywho...you could try an RMA directly to Antec. I've talked to their online tech support extensively, and they are EXTREMELY helpful.

Well I didn't get a bad power supply as mine isn't defective (at least I don't think. I havent even plugged it in yet.) It's just the cables are a hot mess, and I have to reorganize them all in order to have it neat. Antec really screwed this power supply up big time. I feel like a bunch of idiots put together the wiring, because the way they are interlocked and tangled with each others makes it look like they actually put effort into making it unorganized. To me making it neat would be so much simpler, and they complicated everything with interlocking it. I am highly disappointed I'm going to have to go through all this work to untangle it. This will probably be my last Antec power supply just for this reason.
 

Operandi

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
Originally posted by: Operandi
Originally posted by: Dynamix3D
I am planning to build a 7800GTX SLI system.

Here is the Minimum recommended power supply on Slizone.com
(7800GTX - 500-550W, 12+ @ 30A)
http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_howtobuild_2.html

The rating on the PC P&C 470W Silencer (The highest model) is only 26A on the 12v rail. Therefore, it does not meet the minimum requirements. Not to mention, since 30A is the minimum require, obviously you want to have a little bit more than that so you can have some headroom for other components.

Well that guide is wrong, 26A is enough. Even with dual 7800GTXs there is no way your going to draw 300 watts from the 12v rail.

You do realize that SLIzone.com is nVidia's site designed specifically for SLI updates. Which means you are saying that nVidia is putting invalid requirements for there products on there own website.

Also you do realize that amps and watts are different. The Antec TP-II 550W has more amps on all rails than the Seasonic 600W. So if more watts = more amps, then obviously the Seasonic should have more amps that the Antec considering it has 50 more watts.

Watts equals volts x amps. 26A x 12V = 312 watts, you'll never be able to draw that much from the 12v rail alone.
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
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I guess you didn't read my original post thoroughly. I already know that Seasonic has good ones, but the short length of the cables is an issue for me. Also I don't really like how the cables are twisted, but thats not as big of a problem as the shortness of the cable length.
 

Dynamix3D

Senior member
Oct 31, 2000
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I know everyone here will probably disagree, but I think I'm going to get the Coolermaster Real Power 550W. It's the only power supply that is closest to all my requirements.

It has enough power for an SLI system. Even though it does not have two PCI Express connectors on board, it will still be sufficient enough to power a 7800GTX rig.

The cable lengths are very long, just like my Real Power 450 is right now.

The fan is not the quietest, but certainly more quiet than the PC Power & Cooling, or any other power supply that uses 80 and 92mm fans. And if I really wanted to I can swap the fan for a quieter model, if it really got too noisy.

The cables do not come tangled and interlocked like the Antec I have right now. And they are also not twisted like the Seasonic or the OCZ.

Everything is right up my alley, minus the fact that it doesn't have 2 PCIE Connectors. But like I said, the adapter will work just fine.