| Hiper HPU-5K880 and HPU-5B680 Type R Mk II PSU's |  |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Power | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Tuesday, 15 January 2008 | |
|
Page 9 of 9
Final ThoughtsThe ATX12V Design Guide v2.2 states in section 1.2.2 that power supplies must measure a minimum 70% efficiency under typical load, with 80% efficiency as the recommended guidance. As it stands now, all High Performance Group power supplies have followed the ATX12V 2.2. specification guidance for quite some time, and with an 85% efficiency (as tested by Chroma) the new Type R Mk-II series is ultra-efficient. When Intel Corporation drafted the ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide v2.2 back in March of 2005, they probably didn't expect fuel and utility prices to grow over 300%. Take into account the growing power consumption needs of modern consumer electronics and personal computers, and the need for highly-efficient components becomes critical. This is why 80 PLUS seems to be the buzz word of choice for most power supply manufacturers. Unfortunatly, most consumers buy into the hype, and don't realize that the 80-PLUS certification is little more than a paid stamp of approval. If enthusiast are to take the 80-PLUS certification seriously, they will need to publish independent test results; something that is impossible to provide since the organization does not conduct any product testing.
It is unfortunate then that so many review sites tout the "certification", because most of these site don't take into consideration how misleading their articles can be. Of the many different power supply companies I test, it is usually the more commercial names that use the 80-PLUS logo as a marketing tool. In all actuality, power supplies can cheat the efficiency rating system by several different tactics: use high amperage 3V and 5V rails, which then compensates for 12V inefficiency. Now if someone dropped the nearly worthless 3V rail and could still remain 80% efficient, that would be impressive. Hiper Type R Mk-II ConclusionSometimes performance must be sacrificed for looks, but Hiper packages their Type R Mk II series in one of the best looking retail "boxes" I have ever seen and yet still perform as well as any. The reusable tub contains plenty of important product features and specifications, while avoiding the waste bin by having an some usefulness afterward. When Hiper introduced their 5th generation of products, the HPU-5K880 and HPU-5B680 both received a unique open-grill style chassis. A reflective finish helps hides fingerprints in most areas thanks to the grill-covered chassis design, while the blue or black anodized finish maintains an elegant and appealing overall appearance. Power supply units are one of the few computer components which historically have been built solid. Hiper has kept with tradition and offers a rugged product within the Type R Mk II, something only a non-modular product could assure. Although the finish is susceptible to scratches by sharp objects, the Type R Mk 2 chassis is otherwise heavy-duty. The 680W HPU-5B680 Type R Mk-II PSU offered average AC ripple with above-average DC regulation, while the HPU-5K880 880W unit measured off-average AC ripple and less than favorable DC voltage regulation readings. While there aren't any major items on my list of recommended improvements, I would still like to see some refinement in the performance category as the AC ripple and DC voltage regulation are not what I consider to be a fine example of power supply technology for a 5th generation product. Otherwise, this unit survives my inspection with no real flaws to be found. At the time of this writing, both the Hiper HPU-5K880 880W & HPU-5B680 680W Type R Mk-II Power Supply Units are just arriving to market. Presently, the 680W HPU-5B680 is available for $129.99 at NewEgg, while the 880W HPU-5K880 sells for $204.99. During the 2008 CES I was able to meet with the Hiper team, and learned that these larger online stores nearly double the price of the product over the manufacturers cost. This explains why you see so many rebates on these sites; and why there are usually better deals if you search for them. Hiper offers all the great design features we first discovered in the Type M Series, and then adds in a High-Speed USB 2.0 hub and reflective finish to create the Type R Mk II Series. In most cases, when I review a power supply unit there are are only a few key factors for me to consider. First and foremost is performance, followed by functionality, appearance, and then value. Hiper has always managed to come out ahead regardless of the product; sometimes the performance is exceptional and the looks are average, and other times appearance and functionality are phenomenal (such as in the Hiper HPU-4K530-MS Type R PSU) and the performance is average. In regards to the Type R Mk II series, I have found both the HPU-5K880 880W and HPU-5B680 680W PSU's to offer performance, functionality, and appearance, all above average. Perhaps I'm a bit critical, but I think that the AC ripple and DC regulation tests could have been better for a refined 5th generation product. Nevertheless, the Type R Mk II series is going to fare well for enthusiasts and gamers alike. Pros:
|
|
Comments