NZXT is releasing today a new power supply series, the HALE82 N, comprised of three models: 550 W, 650 W, and 750 W – all with the 80 Plus Bronze certification. The main external difference between the “N” and the regular HALE82 series is that the “N” line-up doesn’t have a modular cabling system. Internally, the original HALE82 uses a DC-DC design in its secondary, while the “N” version uses a regular design with Schottky rectifiers, which result in it costing less than the original HALE82.

click to enlarge
Figure 1: NZXT HALE82 N 650 W power supply

click to enlarge
Figure 2: NZXT HALE82 N 650 W power supply

The NZXT HALE82 N 650 W is 5.5” (140 mm) deep, using a 120 mm ball bearing fan on its bottom (Yate Loon D12BH-12).

The reviewed power supply doesn’t have a modular cabling system. All cables are protected with nylon sleeves that come from inside the unit. This power supply comes with the following cables:

• Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long
• One cable with two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector, 24.4” (65 cm) long
• Two cables, each with one six/eight-pin connector and one eight-pin connector for video cards, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors
• Two cables, each with four SATA power connectors, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors
• One cable with two standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector, 3.9” (10 cm) between connectors

All wires are 18 AWG, which is the minimum recommended gauge. We think that the use of eight-pin connectors on the video card power cables is a drawback, as you won’t be able to install two video cards that require two six-pin connectors each. The short distance between the SATA and peripheral power connectors may also be a problem.

click to enlarge
Figure 3: Cables

Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.