Ultra X-Finity 500W and 600W with FlexForce cables Author: JonnyGuru Date Posted:22/08/2005 14:20.12 SLRating: (500W) SLRating: (600W) Bottom Line: X-Finity was always a capable power supply at a fair price, JonnyGuru reviewed the 500W and 600W with FlexForce cables, they both faired well and one almost got 10 out of 10, read on to find out which one ..... Article Navigation Introduction FlexForce Cables Power Output Inside the X-Finity Testing Methodology Results Analysis of Results Conclusion Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Discuss This Article

Advertised power output

First, we can see that the 500W unit features a single 120MM fan instead of the two 80MM fans. This should prove to be quieter than the X-Finity has been in the past. We also see that the single 12V rail of the previous X-Finity has been replaced with dual 12V rails.

Here's a shot of the 500W with it's big 120MM fan. The finish is SO reflective, it might as well be clear!

The 600W is still cooled with a pair of 80MM fans.

The 600W still has two 80MM fans. This is because, if the power supply is going to put out a sustained 600W, it's going to need better cooling and nothing is going to provide better cooling than a straight through in-one-end-out-the-other fan arrangement. This time around, the 600W does get a pair of 12V rails like it's 500W little brother.

Speaking of rails... let's take a look at what Ultra puts on the labels of these two power supplies:

The label of my 500W unit. UL listing pulls up Wintech as the manufacturer.

The 500W is no doubt impressive. That's 500W of USABLE power. Note that the +3.3V and +5V combined are only 160W. In this day and age, that's all you need. With CPU's regulating their power off the 12V rail and PCI express video cards demanding so much 12V power, you need the bulk of your power on those rails. The 500W can put out 384W on it's two 12V rails combined. The 600W can put out 420W on it's two 12V rails combined! That's even MORE impressive... But now the ever present question... Can it actually DO what the label says it can do?. Remember, we've had our share of power supplies that claim to do one thing, but once put to the test can't do what they claim to do... at least not in my 78°F office.

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Article Navigation Introduction FlexForce Cables Power Output Inside the X-Finity Testing Methodology Results Analysis of Results Conclusion

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