Review: HEXUS PSU (Power Supply Unit) Roundup - Taoyuan 2005

by Ryszard Sommefeldt on 23 September 2005, 00:00

Tags: Aopen, Enermax (8093.TWO), Zalman (090120.KQ), Akasa, Thermaltake (3540.TWO), OCZ (NASDAQ:OCZ), Tagan, SilverstoneTek, FSP Group (TPE:3015), Hiper, ETASIS

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qabkp

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Zalman ZM400B-APS & Akasa AK-P400FG BKEUV3

Zalman ZM400B-APS

Retail Name (if known)Zalman Noiseless 400W
Rated Output Power400W
SpecificationATX 2.0
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage110-220V, 50-60Hz
Fan(s)80mm
Cable runs20-pin ATX
P4
half AT
2 x SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
3 x 4-pin Molex
Max currents+3.3V = 28A
+12V = 18A
+5V = 40A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V235W
Passed certification checksYes (CE, Norway, EU LVD and EMC)

The Zalman ZM400B-APS is a high-output ATX 1.3 PSU. The 1.3 spec means support for Serial ATA hard disks via power connectors, and a P4 connector. Voltage rails were fairly solid, with only significant movement under the heavier loads. Efficiency wasn't great and it got fairly hot at the end of the test run at full load. Connectivity is good, though. All 400W could be teased from the supply without issue and standby power was one of the lowest on test. A very nice supply.

Recommended system: Mid-range to high-end desktop systems based around P4 (including high-speed Prescott), AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939. Systems that need an overly large draw from +12V (SLI and friends) might not be suited, though, since it's just ATX 1.3 with a single +12V rail.

Akasa AK-P400FG BKEUV3

Retail Name (if known)Akasa Pax Power 400W
Rated Output Power400W
SpecificationATX 2.0
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage110-220V, 50-60Hz
Fan(s)120mm
Cable runs24-pin EATX with P4+ split
P4
8-pin SSI
2 x SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex
3 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x SATA
3 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
Max currents+3.3V = 30A
+12V = 14A + 15A
+5V = 28A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V130W
Passed certification checksYes (CE, Taiwan, EMC Directive. CB, Taiwan, EN 60950)

The Akasa AK-P400FG is the first server-oriented PSU on test. It performed like you'd expect one to, with good efficiency, cool running and the connectors to match. However under the heaviest of loads +12V dropped to nearly +11.5V and after testing it was almost too hot to touch on one side, hinting that the fan wasn't doing as well as it could have. To counter, it was very quiet to the point of near silence unless you were very close. Connectivity is good when used as a desktop system, with only a PEG connector missing. All 400W was available sustained, as required to obtain a logo.

Recommended system: Mid-range to high-end desktop systems based around P4 (including high-speed Prescott), AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939. Server systems too, due to the 8-pin SSI connector.