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Antec EarthWatts EA500
The power supply unit is the single most important part of any computer. Regardless of the system there is but one golden rule: whether it be a simple workstation with integrated components or an advanced gaming system with every cutting-edge product available, everything requires power to operate. Anyone who has suffered system failure because of a low-end power supply will tell you not all power supply units (PSU’s) are created equal. While every journalist has their own system for reviewing a power supply, my review will take a very detailed look at the Antec EarthWatts 500W PSU at every angle, and submit the unit to battery of tests in order to ensure that this PSU will provide computer systems with stable power.
In last year alone, the computer industry made huge leaps in power supply technology. Single rail power supplies were dominantly standard heading into 2006, but that soon changed. Now just one year later, we have seen a very sudden shift making multi-rail power supplies the most common configuration. As power supply technology continuously evolves, a two-rail power supply may not make headlines against bleeding edge PSU's with a half-dozen main power rails. However, Antec helps drive power supply evolution forward and brings to us the Earthwatts series with 80%+ efficiency and two main 12V power rails to enhance power stability under load; all at a bargain price that won’t bleed the wallet.
Since consumers have long been in the dark about power supply units, it seems common that manufacturers market their product and push features that may not actually make a difference in performance. For example, it could be seen early last year that multi-rail technology was viewed as a positive innovation. Yet later down the road we learn that a single-rail power supply unit not only offers more stable and efficient power if designed and built correctly; it would also cost less.
The new generation of power supplies has begun to amp up the competition for efficiency. Antec’s EarthWatts series is among the first to cause a stir in the PSU marketing strategy by emphasizing efficient power delivery over the multi-rail hype. The two +12V rails allow you to distribute your power more evenly, which will result in a more stable system, but they also deliver at least 80% of the power that they promise. Available in three models: 380 Watt, 430 Watt and a 500 Watt which delivers enough power for even the most cutting edge components. EarthWatts PSU's perfectly handle dual processor, dual graphics card, and just about anything else you can throw at it; all because of the added efficiency.
Antec claims "EarthWatts, the most environmentally friendly Power Supply yet." Do your part for the environment with EarthWatts power supplies. The earth is our most valuable resource and protecting and preserving it for future generations is of utmost importance. EarthWatts is available in three highly efficient models—380 Watt, 430 Watt, and 500 Watt—and are all 80 PLUS certified, the newest standard in power supply efficiency. And that means that using EarthWatts will save you money on your electrical bill.
About the Company: Antec
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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