I, like many others, am loving the new PSU review series from AT. The articles so far are superb and full of good information, and best of all is that the information is largely based on the end-users' point of view. I'd like to thank AT for these reviews. Keep up the good work!
Are there no separate graphs for different ambient temperatures anymore? On page 5, you say you test for two different temperatures: 25C and 50C, but I only see one graph per rail and I have no clue which temperature that is for. You do mention in one of your paragraphs about Zippy being worried about testing @ 50C, so I'm confused.
Nice review, nevertheless, but like you said, it is a little expensive.
The second graph (with higher temperatures) starts at 25C and ramps up to 50C by 100% load - just like in previous PSU reviews. Note the subtitle on the first temp graph - "Tested at Room Temperature".
The 230VAC-Room is done at room temperature (25-26C). It's present on all the charts except for the 5vsb (where it really doesn't matter much). We combined all four results into one chart because that seemed to be more useful for comparing the results and condensing the article into 8 pages instead of 22. :)
You won't recommend it for overclocking or a rig with a quad-core CPU? Why? Very strange conclusion after stating that it regulates like no other. Would a real enthusiast care about noise or the 5VSB and standby efficiency when breaking records or pushing the envelope of his machine?
"In most other areas, it unfortunately falls short."
Apart from the electrical characteristics does the "failure" in "other" areas really matter?
This statement has been edited for clarity. Overclocking on it's own isn't a problem, and neither are quad cores or (certain) dual GPU configurations - don't try dual HD 2900 XT, most likely, since besides two PEG connections per card they can also use an 8-pin PEG as one of the connections. You can basically do two of the items in that list, but if you try to do all three you're going to go WAY over 600W.
8800 GTX SLI (using factory OC'ed models) and Q6600/6700 @ ~3.47 GHz with two or three hard drives and idle power use will be in the neighborhood of 400-450W. Load up the CPU (say, Folding@Home SMP) and you can easily hit 600W or more. Play some games that load up the GPUs, and you really ought to be running a 1000W PSU - assuming maximum efficiency as usual comes in the 50-80% load range.
It falls short in noise, cooling performance, connections for certain devices. As an enthusiast, I definitely don't want a PSU that cranks out that much noise, considering there are other PSUs (SeaSonic) that will match the Zippy in all other ways and do it at lower noise levels.
I wonder if you guys have access to 2900XT's and a quad to actually test this unit?
I would have to disagree with you on comparing Seasonic to Zippy. Most currently available data suggests that Seasonic won't match up in terms of voltage regulation (ex: 's data and JonnyGURU's data).
Lack of connectors can be a shortfall, but I'm not sure if anything else really matters. I suppose we are looking at things from different perspectives. From an Engineering standpoint, I love the Zippy. That is how I look at things. EMI, good surge protection, resonant Q-Filter on the input, an MOV ... and everything else that leads to workhorse performance is how I look at it.
It's nice to see some different power supplies tested, and not again a Infiniti 720W test ;)
(though i'd appreciate a 650w infinity test, since i'm currently choosing between the 650W Infiniti and the Seasonic 650w Energy plus)
And i wish Anandtech would put out reviews and guides at at least half the speed you do - ok, a bit unfair, since you review one by one.
Good review, really do appreciate it. This is the kind of product I like reviewed, not Enermax 500 Watt PSU that anyone can get their hands on. Heck, even the shop down the street from me had Enermax Liberty PSUs in stock. Zippy makes decent enthusiast/server PSUs, how ever I prefer to stick to my PC Power & Cooling Quad 750W. Keep up the good work guys, and thanks again for the review.
I love how you guys have these new reviews on the PSUs but I sure miss the oscilloscope readings that other sites have posted. Is your chroma tester capable of also putting one of those out?
None of your graphs realistically depict spikes and sags in the voltage, only the average obtained in the long run. I was under the impression that the ATX specs require PSUs to be within a specified range for both sustained voltage changes and instantaneous voltage changes.
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16 Comments
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crimson117 - Monday, August 6, 2007 - link
The last two paragraphs in the Conclusion are in italics.http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.a...">http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.a...
JarredWalton - Monday, August 6, 2007 - link
Sorry - fixed now. Missed the closing > of the "turn off italics" tag. That's what I get for inserting a quick comment after posting. :|irev210 - Saturday, August 4, 2007 - link
From a build-quality standpoint... it is hard to find another PSU that can touch these.I hope that anandtech looks at more zippy units.
lopri - Saturday, August 4, 2007 - link
I, like many others, am loving the new PSU review series from AT. The articles so far are superb and full of good information, and best of all is that the information is largely based on the end-users' point of view. I'd like to thank AT for these reviews. Keep up the good work!Duraz0rz - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
Are there no separate graphs for different ambient temperatures anymore? On page 5, you say you test for two different temperatures: 25C and 50C, but I only see one graph per rail and I have no clue which temperature that is for. You do mention in one of your paragraphs about Zippy being worried about testing @ 50C, so I'm confused.Nice review, nevertheless, but like you said, it is a little expensive.
JarredWalton - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
The second graph (with higher temperatures) starts at 25C and ramps up to 50C by 100% load - just like in previous PSU reviews. Note the subtitle on the first temp graph - "Tested at Room Temperature".Duraz0rz - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
That's the thing...there's only one graph per rail on page 5.JarredWalton - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
The 230VAC-Room is done at room temperature (25-26C). It's present on all the charts except for the 5vsb (where it really doesn't matter much). We combined all four results into one chart because that seemed to be more useful for comparing the results and condensing the article into 8 pages instead of 22. :)Super Nade - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
You won't recommend it for overclocking or a rig with a quad-core CPU? Why? Very strange conclusion after stating that it regulates like no other. Would a real enthusiast care about noise or the 5VSB and standby efficiency when breaking records or pushing the envelope of his machine?"In most other areas, it unfortunately falls short."
Apart from the electrical characteristics does the "failure" in "other" areas really matter?
JarredWalton - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
This statement has been edited for clarity. Overclocking on it's own isn't a problem, and neither are quad cores or (certain) dual GPU configurations - don't try dual HD 2900 XT, most likely, since besides two PEG connections per card they can also use an 8-pin PEG as one of the connections. You can basically do two of the items in that list, but if you try to do all three you're going to go WAY over 600W.8800 GTX SLI (using factory OC'ed models) and Q6600/6700 @ ~3.47 GHz with two or three hard drives and idle power use will be in the neighborhood of 400-450W. Load up the CPU (say, Folding@Home SMP) and you can easily hit 600W or more. Play some games that load up the GPUs, and you really ought to be running a 1000W PSU - assuming maximum efficiency as usual comes in the 50-80% load range.
It falls short in noise, cooling performance, connections for certain devices. As an enthusiast, I definitely don't want a PSU that cranks out that much noise, considering there are other PSUs (SeaSonic) that will match the Zippy in all other ways and do it at lower noise levels.
Super Nade - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
I wonder if you guys have access to 2900XT's and a quad to actually test this unit?I would have to disagree with you on comparing Seasonic to Zippy. Most currently available data suggests that Seasonic won't match up in terms of voltage regulation (ex: 's data and JonnyGURU's data).
Lack of connectors can be a shortfall, but I'm not sure if anything else really matters. I suppose we are looking at things from different perspectives. From an Engineering standpoint, I love the Zippy. That is how I look at things. EMI, good surge protection, resonant Q-Filter on the input, an MOV ... and everything else that leads to workhorse performance is how I look at it.
JarredWalton - Saturday, August 4, 2007 - link
Just turning off the highlighting (white text).Bjoern77 - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
It's nice to see some different power supplies tested, and not again a Infiniti 720W test ;)(though i'd appreciate a 650w infinity test, since i'm currently choosing between the 650W Infiniti and the Seasonic 650w Energy plus)
And i wish Anandtech would put out reviews and guides at at least half the speed you do - ok, a bit unfair, since you review one by one.
Keep going,
B.
Bozo Galora - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
Well, no one can say this review has a sugar coated conclusion - lolIts nice to know you can tell it like it is, even tho you are reviewing a unit that Zippy themselves sent, not one that you purchased retail.
wolfman3k5 - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
Good review, really do appreciate it. This is the kind of product I like reviewed, not Enermax 500 Watt PSU that anyone can get their hands on. Heck, even the shop down the street from me had Enermax Liberty PSUs in stock. Zippy makes decent enthusiast/server PSUs, how ever I prefer to stick to my PC Power & Cooling Quad 750W. Keep up the good work guys, and thanks again for the review.Talcite - Friday, August 3, 2007 - link
I love how you guys have these new reviews on the PSUs but I sure miss the oscilloscope readings that other sites have posted. Is your chroma tester capable of also putting one of those out?None of your graphs realistically depict spikes and sags in the voltage, only the average obtained in the long run. I was under the impression that the ATX specs require PSUs to be within a specified range for both sustained voltage changes and instantaneous voltage changes.