The new TruePower (TP) series from Antec is based on a DC-DC converter on the secondary, i.e. it is basically a +12 V power supply with two small power supplies in charging of converting the +12 V output into +5 V and +3,3 V. This is the same concept used on power supplies series like Signature also from Antec, M12D from Seasonic, UCP from Cooler Master and HX (750 W and above) from Corsair. These other models proved to have an above-the-average efficiency. It is important to keep in mind that Antec used to have another series using the same name, but using a completely different internal design. That is why Antec is using the word “New” after the name “True Power”.
TruePower units are manufactured by Seasonic. It is interesting to remember that Antec Signature power supplies are manufactured by a different company, Delta Electronics.
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Figure 1: Antec TruePower New 750 W power supply.
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Figure 2: Antec TruePower New 750 W power supply.
TruePower 750 W has a 120-mm fan on its bottom and active PFC circuit, of course. It is 80 Plus Bronze certified, meaning a minimum 82% efficiency under full (750 W) and light (20% load, i.e. 150 W) loads and minimum 85% under typical load (50% load, i.e. 375 W). It is very important to keep in mind that the 80 Plus organization methodology is too generous with the manufacturers, as they measure efficiency with the power supply running at a room temperature of only 23º C, a temperature impossible to be achieved inside a computer. In our reviews we test power supplies with a room temperature of at least double this number. The higher the temperature, the lower efficiency is.
TP-750 comes with a half modular system, meaning that it has a modular cabling system but at the same time some cables are permanently attached to the power supply. The cables permanently attached to the unit are the following:
- Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector.
- EPS12V cable.
- ATX12V cable.
- Two auxiliary power cables for video cards with one six/eight-pin connector each.
- One SATA power cable with three SATA power connectors.
- One peripheral power cable with three standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector.
All these cables use a nylon protection that comes from inside the power supply housing.
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Figure 3: Cables that are permanently attached to the unit.
The modular cable system has four connectors (two red and two black) and TP-750 comes with six cables, two for the red connectors and four for the black connectors. So you cannot use all cables at the same time.
- Two auxiliary power cables for video cards with one six-pin connector each (red connector).
- Two SATA power cables with three SATA power connectors each (black connectors).
- Two peripheral power cables with three standard peripheral power plugs each (black connectors).
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Figure 4: Cables from the modular cabling system.
TP-750 is a small unit – especially for a 750 W product –, being 6 19/64” (16 cm) deep, including the projection from the modular cabling system connectors. All wires are 18 AWG, which is the correct gauge to be used. The cables that are permanently attached to the unit measure 20 ½” (52 cm) between the power supply and the first connector on the cable and 5 ½” (14 cm) between each connector on the cable on cables that have more than one connector. The cables from the modular cabling system are a little bit longer, measuring 21 21/32” (55 cm) between the power supply and the first connector and 6” (15 cm) between connectors.
The number of cables is more than enough for you to build a mainstream or high-end PC with up to two video cards. If you want to have three or more video cards you will have to either choose a different product or convert peripheral power connectors into video card auxiliary power connectors using adapters.
Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.
