Ultra X-connect

[BonzaiDuck]

Personally, I have no reason to bash it -- I just want to find out about it.

I don't ever want to fry a motherboard for a defective PSU again -- A-GA-IN!! Ever! Never never never!!

The one I had was an Enermax 400W -- can you imagine? I bought it in '99 because an earlier, cheaper one went on the fritz, too. And the Enermax crapped out a year and two months later in 2000!!

So, now that I think about it, I've had two go bad on me, for which I paid an average of $50. I'm sure there are great PSU's out there for between $50 and $100, and sometimes there are fire-sale bargain-day prices on PSU ordinarily priced at $120, $140 etc. [Except, of course, the Turbo Cool 510 Dee Lucks. Never any sale prices on that one!!]

But the more I spend on this business, the more I think I should get a PSU with a five-year warranty.

 

[Idleuser]

It's a good 3 years atleast not 1 year.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

That number is worth a lot more than someone's pronouncement about "internal wiring" and "puny heatsinks." If it really has a 3-year warranty, for the price, that's a pretty damn good bargain!

It isn't so much that you hope to take advantage of the warranty, but the company is not going to manufacture an inferior product in which they themselves lack confidence, and then lay the legal groundwork that will cost them money with returns and replacements. Companies who do that -- do not last very long. It's not too different from getting a life-insurance policy, and the premiums you pay for smoking versus not smoking. Calculated risk.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Y'all oughta take a look at this. Also, they manufacture an entire line of these things, varying by rated wattage and extra features.

ULTRA HOME PAGE

It seems like they insinuate a 3-year warranty on everything, including all power supplies.

Does anyone have some numbers on how closely the measured voltages meet the rated specs? If two or more people have that information, it constitutes a small sample, and maybe better than reviewers have to work with who get a single "review sample" of the product to test.

 

[RetailDirect]

I have just built a system for a friend and I bought one of these to replace a defective Neo Power 480. The cable management is just plain awesome. I have ZERO unconnected wires in the new system and for a perfectionist, this P/S comes through with spades!

The wires are UV reflective also!

 

[RetailDirect]

In fact, I wish I had one of these instead of the Antec TRU550 clutter I have in my own rig.

 

[Arclite]

I use one. They're awesome. It's so nice not to have all that clutter in your case. It has nice rails too. It has enough "quality" for me.

 

[PClark99]

I had one but sold it and replaced it with a PC Power and Cooling 510 Deluxe.

The Ultra X did power my system just fine, but there were a couple issues:

1. Horrible burning plastic smell that would not go away.

2. PSU was very loud compared to previous PSU.

3. Case temps went up even though Ultra had more fans in it.

4. Though modular cables were a good idea, the overall size of the connectors on the mobo power cable and the relative lack of flexibility of the cable made routing the cable a nightmare.

I only had it 2 weeks so I cannot comment on longterm reliability.

 

[CraigRT]

I agree with PClark99 on a couple of those things.... for one thing, I do NOT find it loud, my system is virtually whisper quiet, but it did have a smell for quite a few weeks.. it's gone now. and the flexibility of the cables really does get on my nerves... it's a fantastic idea, and overall still works good, but the ATX cable for example is WAY too stiff. it's a PITA to run nicely cause you can only bend it like train tracks...but overall still a decent product.. based on power delivery this thing is kicking ass, so far so good. :thumbsup:

 

[imported_Bleh]

I just picked one up from Compusa a week ago and I love this power supply. Modular rounded cables get rid of all the mess and you can hook up just the items you need to without any excess. The cables are a little long for my mid-atx case but the cables did bend pretty well. I believe Ultra heard about stiff cables and created a new version which are pretty easy to bend.
Its powering the computer listed in my sig right now along with 7 case fans.

 

[aatf510]

So far I have seen 2 very bad reviews for the Ultra X-Connect. The first one I found on Google. The second one is from Maximum PC, and they demonstrated that it has poor voltage accuracy, no active power factor correction, and it does not supply the power close to the rating it claims, and IMO its really "cheap" looking. If you like to have neat cables, get a NeoPower480. If you like to have clean power for o/c, get a PC&C. For price/performance, get an Enermax or OCZ. The X-Connect just wouldn't do the job.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

This post was certainly started some time ago -- at a time when my ALLIED AL-B500E was starting to crap out at higher over-clock settings. As I said in earlier posts here, I had my eye on the ULTRA X-Connect line. But I finally settled on the OCZ PowerStream, and I'm happier than a pig in shpoop that I did so.

As with research in the JFK assassination, suspect sources often contain useful information nevertheless. Thus it is with the Maximum PC review article this month, which favors the Antec Neopower, the Turbo Cool 510 (a "close" second) and a CoolerMaster model. OCZ got a "7" score. But PC Power & Cooling is a major advertising account for Maximum PC, and I do not believe the actual conclusions and ratings are to be trusted.

First of all, the issue of "Active" versus "Passive" Power Factor Correction. For the home user and enthusiast power-user, the difference between active and passive PSU is meaningless.

Second, there is the matter of efficiency, which was raised conveniently as a plus for one model and buried for the rating of the OCZ -- which had extremely good efficiency from the table of numbers provided by Maximum PC.

Comparing this review with another review at "Tech Report", the TR report presented more detailed quantitative measurement of such things as AC ripple, voltage variation on each rail, test-bed CPU temperature and other information. For that review, PC Power & Cooling refused to participate, while the Antec NeoPower got second or third place: as Tech Report says, "not quite worthy of Editor's Choice Gold".

The treatment of the ULTRA X-Connect in one or both of these reviews is more consistent with the idea of using important features to rate products. I have no doubt that the ULTRA is a decent power supply. There are many decent power supplies available, and I would even include my ALLIED in that category. It's fine, as long as you are only casually interested in over-clocking your system, and not concerned about wringing blood out of the FSB stone.

I remember during my professional years how we would drive into Washington DC on Wednesday nights armed with the Post's weekly Central Liquor Store two-page advertisement. Occasionally, you could find a $15 bottle of wine for $5 or $6. Once we found vintage Chianti Classico that would have sold for $10 or more per bottle, for $12 per 12-bottle case -- the result of a bankruptcy in Pennsylvania where 44,000 cases of wine had been auctioned off.

Generally, if you want quality, you are going to pay more for it. Sometimes, a company like PC Power & Cooling may rest too comfortably on its laurels while market signals of significance are being cast from other directions. And sometimes, you actually can get more for your money -- that is, more per dollar spent than if you simply picked the established standard of quality and paid the established price for it.

 

[Mucker]

Used it for about 6 hours. It was very loud compared to my single fan Antec 380True. This is because the heat sinks in the Ultra are tiny. I wouldn't consider a fan mod out of fear of burning it up. The voltages on my brand new unit were wacko too. 3.68 on the 3.3v and 12.71 on the 12v. Didn't like what I was seeing. The PSU looks great and the modular design is great, but the plugs are almost too thick. I e-mailed Ultra support about my concerns and they never answered. I just found a like new Antec 550 True Control for $80 on the hot deals forum. I have used Antecs all of the time and are happy with them.........

m

 

[BigHurt]

Originally posted by: toattett
So far I have seen 2 very bad reviews for the Ultra X-Connect. The first one I found on Google. The second one is from Maximum PC, and they demonstrated that it has poor voltage accuracy, no active power factor correction, and it does not supply the power close to the rating it claims, and IMO its really "cheap" looking. If you like to have neat cables, get a NeoPower480. If you like to have clean power for o/c, get a PC&C. For price/performance, get an Enermax or OCZ. The X-Connect just wouldn't do the job.

Ya i agree, i suggest doing a google search and reading some reviews on it.
Hell, just searching anandtech, i found enough complaints to not purchase one.
I think the company is more flash than quality, Ill stick to a well regulated Antec or Enermax.

 

[BigHurt]

Originally posted by: BonzaiDuck
I remember during my professional years how we would drive into Washington DC on Wednesday nights armed with the Post's weekly Central Liquor Store two-page advertisement. Occasionally, you could find a $15 bottle of wine for $5 or $6. Once we found vintage Chianti Classico that would have sold for $10 or more per bottle, for $12 per 12-bottle case -- the result of a bankruptcy in Pennsylvania where 44,000 cases of wine had been auctioned off.

so are you saying that the ultra power supplies are cheap because they are going bankrupt?
not so sure i like that example. just because i COULD get 10 emachines for 50 dollars, doesnt mean im going to. quantity doesnt always trump quality imo.

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Is it really that loud? I am getting a water cooling setup soon and I deffinitely dont want a loud psu. I might pick it up at my work for 50 bucks if you guys think its not loud.

 

[Ackmed]

The X-connect sucks. At least the ones Ive seen reviewed, that have actually been reviewed. Not just been given a score by how they look.

 

[Mucker]

Be careful Zep, it was loud for me. I threw it in a Sonata case to replace my 380True single fan and it was very noticeable. The Ultra packaging information states that you'll have a cooler system because of high air flowrate through the case. Slick marketing statement! It is because of the wimpy heat sinks inside the Ultra. They need high flow (and unfortunately more noise) to keep heat under control. The plugs are thick too. The 4 pin ATX power plug was touching DIMM1 to the point of flexing it and a capacitor on my Abit IC7. I am glad I returned mine. It sounded great in the begining, but I think it is really smoke and mirrors here.....

m

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Originally posted by: Mucker
Be careful Zep, it was loud for me. I threw it in a Sonata case to replace my 380True single fan and it was very noticeable. The Ultra packaging information states that you'll have a cooler system because of high air flowrate through the case. Slick marketing statement! It is because of the wimpy heat sinks inside the Ultra. They need high flow (and unfortunately more noise) to keep heat under control. The plugs are thick too. The 4 pin ATX power plug was touching DIMM1 to the point of flexing it and a capacitor on my Abit IC7. I am glad I returned mine. It sounded great in the begining, but I think it is really smoke and mirrors here.....

m

Thanks for the info man. Do you think the fans inside the psu can be replaced with very silent ones? Is there any other psu's on the market that use the same x-connect technology?

 

[Mucker]

NP, read this first: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article193-page1.html

Then read this: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article15-page1.html The Antec Neo (modular unit) is what you want if you afford it : http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-924&depa=0

m

 

[Algere]

Originally posted by: Mucker
The Antec Neo (modular unit) is what you want if you afford it : http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-924&depa=0

m

Cheaper here.

 

[Gamingphreek]

No Neopowers have not recieved good reviews either. THey have a lot of fluctuation on the rails. I think you should look at the OCZ Modstream PSU's which are much better that either (except for the fact that the 12V on the ULtra is like 32A or something).

-Kevin

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
No Neopowers have not recieved good reviews either. THey have a lot of fluctuation on the rails. I think you should look at the OCZ Modstream PSU's which are much better that either (except for the fact that the 12V on the ULtra is like 32A or something).

-Kevin

I've never seen a bad revie of the Neo Power, back that up with somthing.....

 

[Mr. Lennon]

Originally posted by: Mucker
NP, read this first: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article193-page1.html

Then read this: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article15-page1.html The Antec Neo (modular unit) is what you want if you afford it : http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-924&depa=0

m

Well it seems like a fan swap is possible as mentioned in that article. I don't know if our store sells the neopower. If we dont, then I think Ill just get the x-connect and switch out the fans.

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: Zeppelin2282

Originally posted by: Mucker
NP, read this first: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article193-page1.html

Then read this: http://www.silentpcreview.com/article15-page1.html The Antec Neo (modular unit) is what you want if you afford it : http://www.newegg.com/app/View...=17-103-924&depa=0

m

Well it seems like a fan swap is possible as mentioned in that article. I don't know if our store sells the neopower. If we dont, then I think Ill just get the x-connect and switch out the fans.

I wouldn?t try that unless you have an accurate way to monitor the temps. The Ultra has very small/crap heatsinks and relies on that airflow to maintain cooling...

Just get the Neo Power it?s a much better PSU.