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PSU decision - request Enermax / Antec TPII owners inputs

S

shredman

Member
I had an Enermax 565 535w PSU in my original build. But my system powered down on me twice during bootup to windows so I suspected the PSU. I returned it locally and got an Antec True Power 2.0 550w EPSV.

Here's the thing, the antec is rock solid as far as voltage, but the intake fan barely runs (it is trying to be quiet) and the result is less air pulled out from around my cpu - my cpu temps are about 5c higher than with the enermax. The antec is supposed to throttle up to higher speeds in higher temps, but that is based on temps in the PSU itself - so I haven't seen this happen yet.

I have a superlanboy case which has one 120mm exhaust fan by the cpu (I plan to upgrade it to a panaflo 70cfm) so there ins't room for any more exhaust fans...I need the PSU to take some air out.

The Enermax power wasn't as stable IIRC, but the temps were better for my cpu and it has a user controllable fan speed. The "popping" and shutting down on my first unit makes me question the quality...I know the high end units are good, but the enermax 565 has mediocre user reviews at newegg.com - lots of sparks, etc...

My questions are for Antec/Enermax owners out there:

Does the Antec really throttle up significantly and vacate some are from the CPU area? Does the TP2.0 with the single 120mm fan vacate more air??

Is the power on your Enermax 565 535w stable (not the PFC version)? Any issues with this psu?
 
Antecs are all I use, been using them 7 years now without any problems. I have never once thought of the PSU as a means to pull air out and neither should you, this isn't the job of one, just get good fans, stronger ones if need be and be happy, cause Antecs are great.

ALOHA
 
Dasfox, yes, I agree about not using it as a fan....however...a 5c difference in CPU temps is nice.

That issue aside, do you have any experience with the TPIIs? I am currently using an EPSV model, but what is the difference between that and the regular TPII (I know the regular only has 1 120mm fan, and the EPSV has an 8/4 pin 12v line).
 
Antec cheated by under-spinning the fan(s) to reduce the noise level during normal operation. That's why you'll see more blown caps with Antec PSUs. I will never use an Antec without removing the top cover to improve ventilation. These PSUs are just average with efficiency (70% range).

Your 565 is probably a cheaper WhisperI/II series. The Enermax 495 V2.0 has better electronics and higher efficiency. It runs cool n quiet, even at MAX fan speed setting. There's a knob on the back to manually increase the fans' speed. I've been using this PSU for all high-end builds. My 12V rail spans from 11.97 to 12.10V (measured with true RMS multimeter), regardless of load. Efficiency is at least 81% with my unit.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817103457
 
Hmm, the Enermax is a Whisper II - it is actually more $ than the noisetaker you linked to, but I guess you are saying that the noisetaker line is higher end overall. Basically I liked the Enermax 565 but I'm worried about build quality. And looking for inputs from owners, etc.
 
Well, the Whisper II looks better on paper. That's why some retailers charge more $. The Noisetaker is a hidden gem in the PSU business. Very high quality construction. The leads on this PSU is soldered to the main board. I'm not a fan of modular PSU construction. The nominal contact resistance at the output connector of a modular PSU is at least 0.01 ohms. If you're pushing 10 amps across this terminal, then the voltage drop will be 0.1VDC.
 
Originally posted by: furballi
Antec cheated by under-spinning the fan(s) to reduce the noise level during normal operation. That's why you'll see more blown caps with Antec PSUs. I will never use an Antec without removing the top cover to improve ventilation. These PSUs are just average with efficiency (70% range).
Click to expand...
My work fleet has about 40 Antec power supplies running typical business hours, so that's about 2000 machine-hours per year x 40 systems. Some of them are over three years old. I haven't seen "more" blown caps on this fairly-meaningful sample of Antecs, and aside from the bad batch of TP430's, I haven't seen a trend that way here at the Forums either. You might be making a misleading generalization there.

Anyhow, to address the question, I haven't noticed my TruePowerII 480 getting revved up in my work rig even at full load, so I would focus on improving airflow through the case by reducing restrictive grillework and other obstructions, and a more powerful exhaust fan if necessary.
 
I don't think any thermally controlled PSU will be good as an exhaust system, but you could swap the fan out for a normal 120mm fan and voltmod it to the apropriate speed. The PSU will run cooler and you'll get more air going through. But of course you do void your warranty that way.
 
Ok, thanks for all the inputs so far. I'm not adventurous enough to mod the PSU, so adding a better fan is out - nice idea though.

I was really hoping for some firsthand experience with the Enermax 565...like I said, it is on most people's recommended PSU lists, but the reader reviews at newegg.com are pretty mediocre with lots of failures. The more expensive models are much better reviewed though, so maybe it's just this model?

Specific advice;

-Should I keep the antec TPII 550w EPSV which I have now, bought locally for ($119+tax~$130)?

-I have an unopened Antec TPII 550w (single 120mm fan, non EPSV) version that would cost me $85 to keep?

-Should I try another enermax 565 whisper which I can get locally for $89+tax~$97?

-Or, should I get an OCZ Powerstream mailorder for $130 shipped?

-Or should I try something completely different?

Right now I'm leaning toward the Antec TPII 550/Non-EPSV because the reviews on newegg.com are stellar and there seems to be no complaints.

[Here is my system: Ultra-D, amd 3700+ o/c to 2.7 or so, 7900gt, don't plan on SLI, 2 HDD, 2 DVD/RW]
 
I'd keep the current power supply and just open up the power supply and hard wire the fan(s) passed the control circuit to a 12 volt supply.
 
i have tha antec tpII 550 non eps in my main rig. its been running 24/7 since i got it about 15 months ago. i think its a really nice psu.

i also have the dfi board and i hook my psu rpm lead to the mobo. usually it'll spin around 900-1100 loaded (2x DC projects) while exhausting 40-42c air.

as for you exhausting more air, just get another 120mm fan from svc.com. they always have some nice 120x38 or 120x25 that'll move enough air for you.

edit- whoops, forgot i took my system specs out of my sig-

x2 3800 @ 2700
dfi sli-dr
2 gigs
2 hdd
2 opticals
7800gtx
 
I use a tpII EPS on my 975 system. Since most of the newer higher end boards are coming with the 8 pin EPS connectors, it's nice to have a power supply that has the connector as well. Although you can run them with just the 4 pin connector, I'd rather be safe then sorry.
 
Well, doing more research, I found This review that actually compared the antec true control 550 to the enermax 565. The true control was declared the winner and was more stable across the board than the enermax.

Looks like its down to these 3:

True Power 2.0 550w non-epsv $85

True Power 2.0 550w epsv (has the 8 pin connector) - bought for $130 locally

True Power/Control 2.0 non-epsv (same as other one, but allows you to control the volts and fan speed) $109 online plus shipping

The $85 version is pretty appealing since I don't need the 8pin connector for the Ultra-D I just bought. The only consideration is if all new gen motherboards will be using it in the future or not. Also, the True Control sounds nice as well.

Any comments?
 
I just bought the Antec Neo 550 at zzf for 93 today, I don't know if you'd looked at it as well. I'll be hooking it up to my 975 system, so I'll do a comparison of the two if you'd like. The only reason I'm changing is because I bought a P180 and wanted something modular for it. The 550 EPS will be powering my K8N Diamond Plus instead.
 
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