Closer Look: Cables and Wiring

TruePower Quattro power supplies feature Antec’s advanced cable management system, which allows you to use only the power cables that you need, thereby reducing clutter and improving airflow inside your case. Inside the package you will find the following:

• power cord
• 24-pin main power connector with detachable 4-pin section for 20-pin applications
• 8-pin +12V and 4-pin +12V connector
• (2) 8-pin with detachable 2-pin PCI-E connectors
• (5) 6-pin output sockets, for use with the cable sets to power your drives and other peripherals.

The modular power connection receptacles have small stickers indicating their purpose. In my opinion, this does the rest of the appearance a disservice, but I'm sure it's a cost-effective solution for Antec. Conversely the Thermaltake Toughpower W0133RU 1200W Modular PSU included a full chart which detailed the rail corresponding to each receptacle. I think that would have been a better choice for Antec on their TruePower Quattro series.

Each and every cable group on the unit is sleeved with a nylon weave over them. The ends of the sleeves are terminated with plastic rings to prevent pulling or loose ends. This provides excellent durability for these wires, and should provide years of worry-free service.

The TruePower Quattro Power Supply Unit (PSU) series is compatible with EPS12V v2.91 and ATX12V specifications. Antec's TruePower Quattro has increased output power distribution to match the newest Intel and AMD server level processor requirements, which translates to mean that end-user level systems which you and I use are more than adequately covered in terms of power needs.

The image above gives a great close-up view of the nylon cable sleeving and terminating rings. The connections pictured are 8-pin PCI-E, which feature a bend-away section which converts the connector into a 6-pin unit (for SLi GeForce 8800 GTX or Ultra sets).

Fortunately, the advanced cable management system allows you to custom build the connections to your components. In the long run this keeps extra wires out of your system, something that can't be valued enough when you consider the mess an all-native cable PSU can cause like the ePower Technology EP-1200P10 xScale 1200W PSU. Modular power supplies are more popular with consumers than they are with manufacturers; primarily because the manufacturers often see returns for equipment that is functioning but has a cable malfunction.

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