• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Ultra brand.. What do we think of it? (Poll)

B

brxndxn

Diamond Member
I'm interested to see what we think about the Ultra brand of power supplies (and other miscellaneous computer parts)..

I got an Ultra X-Connect (first gen) 500watt power supply after a mail-in-rebate from outpost.com about two years ago. It ran great for about a year and a half until one day my computer died and it would not boot. I tried a couple times - but the computer would only turn on for about half a second and then turn off. I used a power supply tester on it and it indicated that the power supply was dead. So.. I decided I would RMA it. I found out I needed the receipt. Getting the receipt was more of a pain in the ass than it should be.

Anyway.. got the receipt and everything, faxed it to Ultra, and got my RMA #.. But, here's the catch.. They only do 'advance shipping' where they CHARGE your card for the amount of a new power supply and then ship you a new one. You ship them the old one and they credit your card. I asked if I could just ship them the power supply - but they told me they would still have to charge my card! I went ahead with it.. but it annoyed me enough to want to post here and let everyone else know.

Meanwhile, I built a new computer and I used an Ultra Grid case (pretty case.. decent, but not awesome) that came with a 700watt modular power supply. Now, this was my first Core 2 Duo build (E4300) and I have not been very happy with it.. (Could only get it stable to 2.7ghz.) I'm starting to think that it may be because of the power supply..

But, recently.. my new Ultra 700watt V-series (that came with the case) has started to work a little funny. The fan on the power supply is about 10x as powerful and 10x as loud as it used to be. I thought maybe my computer was running too hot so I turned it off and let it cool down for a few hours.. When I turned it back on, the fan was instantly 'jet turbo' mode again. I tried playing with all the settings in my motherboard, but that only slows down all the other fans in the system. The power supply fan is loud no matter what.. it sounds like a server fan.

Now, I am not outright knocking Ultra.. Their prices are GREAT. The power supplies feel like good quality and look beautiful. The modularity is nice also. But.. it looks like I have one outright failed supply and one that is acting funny.. And those are the only ones I have used.

So.. what is your opinion of Ultra power supplies?

CLIFF NOTES:
- Go Gators.
- What is your opinion of Ultra power supplies?

MORE RANDOM INFO:

I found out that Tigerdirect, Global, Systemax, and Ultra are all part of the same company!
 
Originally posted by: brxndxn
I got an Ultra X-Connect (first gen) 500watt power supply after a mail-in-rebate from outpost.com about two years ago.
Click to expand...

First gen Ultra PSUs had some known issues.

Originally posted by: brxndxn
I decided I would RMA it. I found out I needed the receipt. Getting the receipt was more of a pain in the ass than it should be.
Click to expand...

Requiring a receipt is normal for warranty service on many items. Don't toss them.

Originally posted by: brxndxn
But, recently.. my new Ultra 700watt V-series (that came with the case) has started to work a little funny.
Click to expand...

V-series is the lowest end Ultra line of power supply.

IMO they're okay. As with everything, you need to know what you are really getting when you buy something. Even then, sometimes you won't find out until later.

Also, don't make an opinion on a whole company based on one or two examples that are known to be not the best. For example, I've seen too many times when someone will post that all brand X hard drives are crap because he had a few die, and he swears by brand Y. Then someone else will post that all brand Y hard drives are crap because he had a few die, and he swears by brand X. These things happen.
 
i purchased an ultra xvs 600w psu a couple of months ago with a rebate as well...i even got the rebate pretty quickly.

just in the past week it has developed a high pitched whine that is driving me crazy!
in fact just now i was doing some searching looking for posts about the possible cause of this noise; it has gotten louder over the past two days...i have tried switching my cabling around and even changed my cabling into my ups, etc. my temps have actually gone down recently now that it is fall here in the northeast so heat is not an issue.

before now it was okay in the noise department; the fan wasn't silent but i could live with it. right now i am getting a headache just sitting here...

i am pretty sure that i will be ordering a corsair vx450 from the egg, perhaps today!

so anyway my new opinioin on psu's is that just as everyone says, don't skimp to save cash, i have probably wasted my money on this unit

peace
 
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
 
Originally posted by: tomoyo
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
Click to expand...

Server grade qaulity?? hmmmmm
 
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
Click to expand...

Server grade qaulity?? hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Yes server grade 😛 Read johnnyguru already!
 
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
Click to expand...

Server grade qaulity?? hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Yes server grade 😛 Read johnnyguru already!
Click to expand...

I have read all of Jonny`s reviews...
Maybe I am missing something but I never once saw Jonny use the words--server quality in his review of the ULTRA X3 -1000watt....

What he did say concerning the base of the PSU was built on a (Andyson for those of you wondering when I'd bring it up) built this baby on a server PSU base.

Has nothing to do with server quality.....

peace!!
 
And plenty of Antec SP 350/500 going up in smoke, too. I lost two SP 350s. Have a bunch of Ultra V400, V500, X-Finity 500, X-Finity 600. No failure after two years. The X-Finity 600 is my reference test CPU.
 
Well the true bottom lin gores something like this....
every company has there lemons!

Most any PSU nowadays will suffice to basically run a system that is not being O/C`d has only one or 2 harddrives...a dvd/cd unit and a floppy drive and a mid range video card such as a geforce 6600 which is more lower range now!!

It`s when you start having the Over clocking and 5 or 6 harddrives the dozen fans etc,,,that you start having issues!!

Peace!!
 
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
Click to expand...

Server grade qaulity?? hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Yes server grade 😛 Read johnnyguru already!
Click to expand...

I have read all of Jonny`s reviews...
Maybe I am missing something but I never once saw Jonny use the words--server quality in his review of the ULTRA X3 -1000watt....

What he did say concerning the base of the PSU was built on a (Andyson for those of you wondering when I'd bring it up) built this baby on a server PSU base.

Has nothing to do with server quality.....

peace!!
Click to expand...

Obviously never read the forums then 😉 Because that is where he mentions it.
 
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Originally posted by: tomoyo
This poll doesn't make sense for one major reason. Ultra has a huge number of different psu lineups. Some of them are server-grade quality, some are close to junk quality. Therefore it's more like, ultra is great for high end psus, and not so good for budget psus. Look at johnnyguru's site for details on which Ultra psus are worth their money(you're looking at usually $100+ for the good ones!)

Note: MAIN ONES TO AVOID: XVS AND V SERIES! (yes hadje, you got the wrong ultra in this case)
Click to expand...

Server grade qaulity?? hmmmmm
Click to expand...

Yes server grade 😛 Read johnnyguru already!
Click to expand...

I have read all of Jonny`s reviews...
Maybe I am missing something but I never once saw Jonny use the words--server quality in his review of the ULTRA X3 -1000watt....

What he did say concerning the base of the PSU was built on a (Andyson for those of you wondering when I'd bring it up) built this baby on a server PSU base.

Has nothing to do with server quality.....

peace!!
Click to expand...

Obviously never read the forums then 😉 Because that is where he mentions it.
Click to expand...

So now its in the forums.....okay.....lol
Even though I do like Jonny`s site I like this site much more and please direct me to where Jonny says that Ultra PSU`s are NOT server quality....thank You!!
I knew he wouldn`t say it in any of his reviews unless it were true!!
I`m sorry to inform you that Ultra PSU`s are not considered Server quality......with the possible exception of there 1,000 watt unit which is a very nice unit!!
You would think if they were server quality he would have mentioned it in his review...hmmmm
 
I believe it was said that the 800W units were based on Andyson's AD-800 server PSU. And it was in a HardOCP review of the 750W that it was mentioned it was based on a Seventeam server unit.
 
Originally posted by: Bosconian
I believe it was said that the 800W units were based on Andyson's AD-800 server PSU. And it was in a HardOCP review of the 750W that it was mentioned it was based on a Seventeam server unit.
Click to expand...

not to beat a dead horse to dearh...but being based on something doesn`t mean it is what it`s based on!!

Even though I would tend to agree that the Ultra 800 watt as well as the 1000watt are both well built monster PSU`s!!!
 
Originally posted by: Bosconian
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

not to beat a dead horse to dearh...but being based on something doesn`t mean it is what it`s based on!!
Click to expand...

Uhh... huh?
Click to expand...
You could make a dragster out of a Chevy Cobalt, but that doesn't mean the stock Cobalt will be anywhere near as fast as the dragster.
 
exactly!! The whole point is that just because you base something on the original product or on how the original product was built is no indicator that is is what the original product is!!
 
The first X-Connect was a $25. junker in $100. duds and it earned Ultra their reputation. Their products are some better now, but I wouldn't buy one at least partly because they are part of the TigerDirect group of companies which also have less than stellar reps. It's your nickel, you takes your chances - caveat emptor...

.bh.
 
Originally posted by: MDE
Originally posted by: Bosconian
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

not to beat a dead horse to dearh...but being based on something doesn`t mean it is what it`s based on!!
Click to expand...

Uhh... huh?
Click to expand...
You could make a dragster out of a Chevy Cobalt, but that doesn't mean the stock Cobalt will be anywhere near as fast as the dragster.
Click to expand...

I think the analogy isn't quite right. It would be more like spray painting "Chevy Cobalt" on top of a stock dragster. That's basically what the psu situation is. If you don't want to consider that good enough, well there's nothing to be done. Anyways I've said my piece on this.
 
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: MDE
Originally posted by: Bosconian
Originally posted by: JEDIYoda

not to beat a dead horse to dearh...but being based on something doesn`t mean it is what it`s based on!!
Click to expand...

Uhh... huh?
Click to expand...
You could make a dragster out of a Chevy Cobalt, but that doesn't mean the stock Cobalt will be anywhere near as fast as the dragster.
Click to expand...

I think the analogy isn't quite right. It would be more like spray painting "Chevy Cobalt" on top of a stock dragster. That's basically what the psu situation is. If you don't want to consider that good enough, well there's nothing to be done. Anyways I've said my piece on this.
Click to expand...
The point is you can have two things that share the same foundation but are actually completely different.
 
Originally posted by: MDE

The point is you can have two things that share the same foundation but are actually completely different.
Click to expand...

And my point is that your point is for the mostly nonapplicable here because they will be very similar.
 
Originally posted by: tomoyo
Originally posted by: MDE

The point is you can have two things that share the same foundation but are actually completely different.
Click to expand...

And my point is that your point is for the mostly nonapplicable here because they will be very similar.
Click to expand...

Not really...there is a lot that goes into making a PSU that has nothing to do with the platform it is based in.
Despite the platform there can be a huge difference in materials used such as CAP`s.
Workmanship and even quality.

It is IMO a mistaken assimption to believe that because something is based on how a different brand was made or for discussions sake based on the platform used by a different PSU has entirely nothing to do with the quality of the PSU!!

Just because an OKIA from the outside if you took all labeling off looks like it could be any number of PSU`s , doesn`t mean that it`s a quality product. Even though the designer used a basic PSU platform to construct the OKIA.

Peace!!
 
Ultra wouldn't be my first choice unless I got a very good deal... too many better brands/models to choose from at the same price point.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top