Antec TP3-650 PSU

The power supply unit is the single most important part of any computer. Regardless of the system there is a given rule: whether it is a simple workstation with integrated components or an advanced gaming system with fresh piece of technology available, everything requires power to operate. As anyone who has suffered the failure of a low-end power supply will tell you: not all power supply units (PSU’s) are created equal. Benchmark Reviews updates the original review with new features and load tested Oscilloscope regulation results for the A2 Revision Antec TruePower Trio 650W PSU.

This year alone the computer industry has made huge leaps in power supply technology. Single rail power supplies were dominantly standard heading into 2006. Now just one year later, we have seen a very sudden shift making dual-rail power supplies the most commonly used configuration in most products. But it is certain that it won’t take another year to witness a change to the trends. As power supply technology continuously evolves, a three-rail power supply may not make headlines against the bleeding edge five-rail power supply we unveiled here last week. However, Antec helps drive power supply evolution forward and brings to us the Trio series with three independent power rails to enhance power stability under load; all at a bargain price that won’t bleed the wallet.

The new generation of power supplies has arrived with Antec’s TruePower Trio series. The three +12V rails allow you to distribute your power more evenly, which will result in a more stable system. Available in three models: 430 Watt, 550 Watt and a 650 Watt that gives you serious power for even the most cutting edge components. TruePower Trio perfectly handles dual processors, dual graphics cards, and just about anything else you can throw at it.

Quite the claim that Antec makes of its TruePower series of power supplies; and I will prove once again if this is just more marketing hype to draw you in, or if it is in fact bragging rights for a product that I can personally recommend buying. One thing is certain even before the testing begins: at a street price of $99.99 (after $30.00 Rebate) at the time of this writing, the Antec TruePower Trio 650W PSU already offers the latest triple-rail technology for less then the cost of nearly all of the other 650W power supplies on the market.

Antec: The Company's Overview

Antec began in 1986, long before the tech boom of the late 1990’s, in Fremont, California. Now operating offices in the United States and Europe, Antec offers products to 25 countries worldwide. Presently, Antec maintains a popular range of products in: computer cases, power supplies, cooling fans, lighting components, and accessories. Antec is the original High Performance Upgrade company, which created the PC upgrade replacement category at retail. Their enclosures and power supplies have been the #1 seller by far in North American distribution and retail channels for five years running.

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