We were surprised to see this power supply not only delivering its labeled 700 W at 50º C, but going stable up to 777 W at a room temperature of 48º C. This is impressive, especially when we think that the internal design of this power supply is a little bit dated.
It was also great to see the power supply protections in action, meaning that you won’t burn or explode your unit if you try to pull more than it is capable of handling.
We liked its different modular cabling system with its screw-type sockets and blue LEDs. We think it can provide a good visual impact on your PC if you have an all-acrylic case or at least with a transparent side window and, of course, like lights.
The only real weak point of this product is its efficiency. You will have to install this power supply on a PC pulling up to 420 W in order to get a relatively decent efficiency. If your PC pulls more than that, we strongly recommend you getting a different product as it will make a big difference on your electricity bill, especially if you are building a high-end PC.
On the same price tag we have Zalman ZM600-HP which, despite its name, is a 700 W power supply with modular cabling system and a far higher efficiency. If you want to save some bucks and are willing to give up the modular cabling system, the best cost/benefit ratio on the 700 W range is with OCZ GameXstream 700 W, which is internally the same power supply as Zalman’s but without the modular cabling system. But, of course, these two other options do not offer the blue LEDs on the modular cabling system.
In summary, it is a good option if you know its limitations, namely a far lower efficiency compared to other power supplies on the same price range or even cheaper.
