HOT!!! Great Power Supplies at low cost

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
9

996GT2

Diamond Member
Jun 23, 2005
5,212
0
76
This is their "300W" model. But if you check the amps on its dual +12V rails you will find that it exceeds many 500W models, such as the XClio GoodPower 500W and the ThermalTake TR2-500W. It is very similar to the Fortron 350W model. $30

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103011


This is their "350W" model, with Dual +12V rails @ 16 and 18 AMPs. Very similar (if not identical) to the Fortron AX400. $31.99

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103012


This is their "400W" model, but it too has an extremely high amp rating on the +12V rail...close to the Antec TruePower II 550. It is eerily similar to the Fortron AX450PN, rated at 450W. The Sparkle, however, sells for $43.99.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103013

Sparkle is the same company as Fortron, so you can be sure you're not getting a crappy PSU.

For comparison purposes, here's the specs on the Sparkle 400W and the Fortron 450W

Sparkle:
Specifications
Model
Brand SPARKLE
Model ATX-400PN-B204
SPEC
Type ATX 12V 2.0
Maximum Power 400W
Fans 1 x 120mm Fan
PFC No
Main Connector 20+4-Pin
Dual +12V Yes
SLI Support No
Modular Cabling Support No
Power Good Signal 100-500ms
Hold-up Time 17ms min.
Efficiency > 70%
Over Voltage Protection YES
Input Voltage 110-120/220-240V
Input Frequency Range 50/60Hz
Input Current 8.5A (RMS) @115Vrms/60Hz, 5A (RMS) @ 230Vrms/50Hz
Output +3.3@30A,+5V@28A,+12V1@18A,+12V2@18A,-12V@0.5A,+5VSB@2.0A
MTBF 100,000 hours on maximum load at +25° C degree
Approvals UL 60950, TUV, IEC 60950, NEMKO (CB Report)
Features
Connectors 1 x Main connector (20+4 pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
5 x peripheral
1 x SATA
1 x Floppy
1 x PCI-E

------------------------------

Fortron:
Specifications
Model
Brand FSP Group (Fortron Source)
Model AX450-PN
SPEC
Type ATX12V
Maximum Power 450W
Fans 1
PFC No
Main Connector 20+4-Pin
Dual +12V Yes
Power Good Signal 100-500ms
Hold-up Time 12.0mS minimum
Efficiency > 70%
Over Voltage Protection +3.3V (4.6V max.), +5V (6.5V max.), 12V1 (15.5V max.), 12V2 (15.5V max.)
Input Voltage 110/240V
Input Frequency Range 50/60Hz
Input Current 8.5/5A
Output +3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@18A, +12V2@18A, -12V@0.5A, +5VSB@2A
MTBF 100K hours at 25°C
Approvals NEMKO, TUV, CSA, IEC, UL, CE
Features
Connectors 1 x Main connector (20+4 pin)
1 x 12V (P4)
6 x peripheral
2 x SATA
1 x Floppy

Don't see much difference, eh?
 
R

rgreen83

Senior member
Feb 5, 2003
766
0
0
my bad guess i was looking at the fx series, silly not to spend a few bucks more and get a much more efficient PSU IMHO, but still a great buy for a high quality PSU.
 
IEC

IEC

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Jun 10, 2004
14,578
5,990
136
"De-rate 2W/C from +25°C to +50°C"

Since these PSU ratings and MTBFs are based on 25°C conditions, it's not really realistic. For instance, the 400W model linked would most likely run at 45C-55C conditions (PSUs run hot under significant loads), which is 2W*20C or 2W*30C less.. so in actuality it would be about 350W of real power.

Still a good deal for a good PSU, but for important systems you should stick with PSUs from companies like PCP&C which rate their PSUs @ 50C temperatures :thumbsup:
 
K

KDKPSJ

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2002
3,288
58
91
Originally posted by: rgreen83
my bad guess i was looking at the fx series, silly not to spend a few bucks more and get a much more efficient PSU IMHO, but still a great buy for a high quality PSU.
Click to expand...

'Few' bucks..? FX (aka Epsilon) line-up only has 600W and 700W model, and the cheap one (600W) is $ 139.99 at Newegg. This post is about a great PSU for less than 50 bucks, and you want to say 89.99 more is few bucks more? Hope you were kidding :)
 
R

rgreen83

Senior member
Feb 5, 2003
766
0
0
I wasnt joking, but i wasnt trying to thread crap either, as i said it is a great deal for those looking for a high quality psu at a low entry price.
 
R

russr

Senior member
Jun 14, 2000
977
0
0
Wait what's the difference between these and the Fortron Source Group? I thought they were made by the same company? The efficiency ratings in the links above are the same > 70%.
 
Y

Yo2

Golden Member
Jun 12, 2001
1,456
0
0
Originally posted by: ariafrost
"De-rate 2W/C from +25°C to +50°C"

Since these PSU ratings and MTBFs are based on 25°C conditions, it's not really realistic. For instance, the 400W model linked would most likely run at 45C-55C conditions (PSUs run hot under significant loads), which is 2W*20C or 2W*30C less.. so in actuality it would be about 350W of real power.

Still a good deal for a good PSU, but for important systems you should stick with PSUs from companies like PCP&C which rate their PSUs @ 50C temperatures :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

You are quite correct and in line with he reasoning (or advertizing) of the higher end guys (a la ps power and cooling). Still a great deal for people with medium end rigs.

 
K

KDKPSJ

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2002
3,288
58
91
Originally posted by: russr
Wait what's the difference between these and the Fortron Source Group? I thought they were made by the same company? The efficiency ratings in the links above are the same > 70%.
Click to expand...

Yes, they are same company. I believe Fortron Source Group (FSP) is a mother company, and Sparkle is a company under FSP that sells in various markets that FSP is not estabilshed. (Or vise-versa)

For example, in Korea, you can only find Sparkle brand. But the line-up and built-quality is exactly same as FSP-branded ones. It's kinda interesting that both Sparkle and FSP brand is available in US though.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
10
81
Originally posted by: ariafrost
"De-rate 2W/C from +25°C to +50°C"

Since these PSU ratings and MTBFs are based on 25°C conditions, it's not really realistic. For instance, the 400W model linked would most likely run at 45C-55C conditions (PSUs run hot under significant loads), which is 2W*20C or 2W*30C less.. so in actuality it would be about 350W of real power.

Still a good deal for a good PSU, but for important systems you should stick with PSUs from companies like PCP&C which rate their PSUs @ 50C temperatures :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Fortron usually underrates their PSUs. How else can you explain the FX700-GLN's spec sheet statement that it loses 100W from 25 to 35C? In actuality, it's 50W from 40 to 50C, IIRC.
 
R

russr

Senior member
Jun 14, 2000
977
0
0
Fortron underrates, but what about Sparke? How loud are these power supplies? I have an older Sparkle 350W PSU and it is really loud even though it just has one 80mm fan.
Originally posted by: Howard
Originally posted by: ariafrost
"De-rate 2W/C from +25°C to +50°C"

Since these PSU ratings and MTBFs are based on 25°C conditions, it's not really realistic. For instance, the 400W model linked would most likely run at 45C-55C conditions (PSUs run hot under significant loads), which is 2W*20C or 2W*30C less.. so in actuality it would be about 350W of real power.

Still a good deal for a good PSU, but for important systems you should stick with PSUs from companies like PCP&C which rate their PSUs @ 50C temperatures :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Fortron usually underrates their PSUs. How else can you explain the FX700-GLN's spec sheet statement that it loses 100W from 25 to 35C? In actuality, it's 50W from 40 to 50C, IIRC.
Click to expand...

 
D

dman

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 1999
9,110
0
76
Is this 20 + 4pin the same as 24pin connector (at least as far as compatibility goes)?
 
13Gigatons

13Gigatons

Diamond Member
Apr 19, 2005
7,461
500
126
The efficiency ratings are a marketing joke. People don't even know what they mean:



PSU Efficiency:
Minimum efficiency under typical load has increased from 60% in the v1.3 spec, to 70% in the v2.01 spec, to 72% in the v2.2 spec. The more efficient the power supply, the better off you will be in the long-run when it comes to paying your electric bill. The percent of energy not converted is lost as heat, and unless you live in a very cold area then the additional heat is not very helpful.
Click to expand...

The difference between 70% and 85% isn't that much when it comes time to pay the electric bill.
 
P

pctwo

Senior member
Oct 12, 2003
397
0
76
Originally posted by: russr
Fortron underrates, but what about Sparke? How loud are these power supplies? I have an older Sparkle 350W PSU and it is really loud even though it just has one 80mm fan.
Click to expand...

I have the fortron AX400PN from newegg and it is LOUD even under very light load (on board video, 1 HD, 1 DVD). It has 1x120mm. I replaced the fan.
 
1

1reeves

Member
Jan 12, 2004
123
0
0
I have the 350w Sparkle and it is very quiet. Can not here the PS fans at all.
Great supply for the money!
 
RallyMaster

RallyMaster

Diamond Member
Dec 28, 2004
5,581
0
0
substance12: since when did you ever expect a PSU with 80mm fan to be silent? 120 mm are quiet but 80mm are certainly not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom