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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Etasis EFN-300 & AOpen A0300-12AHNF

Etasis EFN-300

Retail Name (if known)N/A
Rated Output Power285W
SpecificationATX
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage110-220V, 50-60Hz
Fan(s)Removable 80mm exhaust
Cable runs20-pin ATX
P4
SATA
SATA
2 x 4-pin Molex
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
Max currents+3.3V = 23A
+12V = 18A
+5V = 25A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V180W
Passed certification checksNo

Another older ATX PSU with only a single +12V rail, the Etasis passed the tests without any issue. The literature openly states the 300 in the product name is a peak power output with 285W being the sustained output power. Voltage rails were solid throughout, expect from when you power on the PSU from cold when regulation is fairly poor. Six 4-pin Molex connectors is a nice count for a low output supply. It didn't get too hot and efficiency was comparatively very high, however its removable fan was very noisy. That's hopefully a sample-specific issue.

Recommended system: Low-end to mid-range P4 and AMD Athlon Socket A

AOpen A0300-12AHNF

Retail Name (if known)AOpen XPower 300W
Rated Output Power300W
SpecificationATX 2.0
Power SwitchYes
Input Voltage220-240V, 50Hz
Fan(s)Single 120mm exhaust
Cable runs24-pin EATX
P4
half AT
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 SATA
1 4-pin Molex, 1 SATA, 1 floppy
2 x 4-pin Molex, 1 floppy
Max currents+3.3V = 20A
+12V = 14A + 8A
+5V = 20A
Combined power for +3.3V and +5V120W
Passed certification checksYes (CB, Taiwan, passing IEC 60950. CE, Taiwan, passing EMC Directive)

The AOpen XPower 300W is a low-cost 300W ATX supply designed to be paired with low-end to mid-range P4, Socket A AMD and Socket 754 and 939 Athlon 64 and Sempron. There's a 24-to-20 pin coverter in the box, unfitted, along with a 4-pin Molex-to-SATA converter to give a total of three SATA connectors. Two +12V rails are available, meeting the ATX 2.0 spec. +12V was measured high on both rails under heavy load and efficiency was average. The 120mm meant it was fairly cool and quiet. It passed all output load tests without any problems.


Recommended system: Low-end to mid-range P4, AMD Athlon Socket A and AMD Athlon 64 and Sempron on Socket 754 and Socket 939.