MODTHEBOX would like to thank Paul from Alpha & Omega Computer Corporation
for sending the High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply for review.
Introduction:
Power consumption mandates that consumers must often explore different options for power supply requirements
when upgrading or building their systems. While the existing market offers a variety of off the shelf
products, manufacturers have recently started to supplement existing units with add-on accessories
which allow most consumers to manage fan speed, temperature control and wattage monitoring. Enter the
new PW-480-102 DF; a 480 watt power supply from High Power. The premise behind this particular unit
is that it includes a supplied 5.25" drive bay faceplate which displays the wattage used by the
computer. Today in the MTB Labs, we will be evaluating High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply; a unit which
allows consumers to diagnose when computer parts fail as well as if the power supply is strong enough
for a PC.
Specifications:
The High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply aka Power Watcher offers plenty of power and control over fan
noise with the ability to monitor your systems total Watt consumption. Here are some specifications
taken directly from the High Power and Alpha & Omega Computer Corporation website(s):
High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply - Specifications:
High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply: Manufactured by High Power
Type: ATX
Maximum Power: 480W
Hold-up Time: 16ms
Efficiency: > 65%
Over Voltage Protection: +5V trip point < +6.8V, +3.3V trip point < +4.5V, +12V trip point < +15.6V
MTBF Life Expectancy of this model: 100,000 hours+ (11 years & 2 months) + Excluding the life of the fan
Operating temperature range:10oC - 50oC (50 oF - 122oF)
High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply - Key Features:
Automatic Fan Speed Control (A.F.C.)
Extra long cables to support server (full) tower cases
Fan Speed Monitor connector (3-pin)
Built-in Quad Protection
EZ-Extract Peripheral power connectors
I/O Switch for manual shut-down
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
The High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply arrived in a black coloured corrugated box with a plastic handle
located on the portion. The box has a picture of the power supply as well as an image of the main
feature on the front. Note the angle the power supply is pictured in with the graphics on top which I
will discuss later in this review. The box includes some of the worst translated English that I have
seen on retail packaging. Some of the feature points include "The Guild To Take Fast Action and Necessary
Measures While The System Is Working Abnormally?" Aside from the mangled English, there is no manual
provided with the unit whatsoever, in any language.
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
The High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply comes bundled with a very good selection of adapters, cables and
the wattage display itself. In the picture on the right you can see all the cables are neatly sleeved
in a rainbow of colours, presumably in order to at least partially mesh with every colour scheme. Each
Molex is of the quick-disconnect variety, a feature I definitely approve of. The PSU has all the usual
connectors as well as 2 SATA plugs. The extra cables provided include a 20-24 pin adapter (although
these are usually either A: not needed or B: harmful to both power supply and motherboard) and a single
Molex to 12-pin video card adapter. Of course, using such an adapter completely negates the point of
the 12-pin video card plug since the 12-pin is supposed to have two 12v rails attached to it, instead of
just one.
Click image for larger view
Click image for larger view
The eye candy for the High Power 480w ATX12V Power Supply is the Power Watcher wattage module. This
accessory features a bright orange and grey colour scheme and a red LED display of system wattage. A 3-pin
connector must be run from the power supply to the display. This task is very easy since the plug can
only fit into the display and is keyed to fit in only one direction. The display will usually read
between 80 and 95 watts on this system which consists of a single hard drive, ATI 9600XT video card,
ABIT NF7-S motherboard and a Barton 2500+ (un-overclocked). This means about 6-7 amps at idle, which
seems fairly accurate. The display is always lit when the power switch is on at the back of the power
supply. It reads 010 when the computer is off. I thought this was kind of irritating, but not too
important. I should mention that in order to install the display, I had to use regular case screws of
my own. The supplied screws are useless and too small for the holes in the display to grip. This will only
work in a drive cage with holes instead of the slots this unit provides.
