Why does Antec do so badly in Tom`s hardware PSU testing?

[JEDIYoda]

Is it Antec that needs to correct issues?
Or does the tom`s hardware people just have no clue?

Full article---

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/index.html

POWER SUPPLIES UNDER FULL LOAD
Our tests in our Munich labs continue and we thought it would be a good idea to recap where we are today. So far, we have tested several units and 8 have failed at least one of our tests.

In our test-platform, we use four active electrical loads. The platform is custom made for us by Bernd Willer, which he calls the PC-NT-TB2. He is a former AMD engineer and now works as a consultant. The electrical loads are manufactured by the German company Statron.
We stress the single power rails of each PSU with one electrical load, +3.3, +5, +12 V1/V2. Each 12V rail is being loaded independently by a separate electrical load. Each electrical load is able to deliver a maximum current of 50Amps @75V. We load the rails never higher as stated on the max combined wattage sticker on the unit. The -12V and +5VSB rails are always loaded with constant 18W (based on ATX-12V-spec), whereas the load is increased an the other rails during the test. We start at a level of 20 percent of the maximum possible wattage and increase the load within 5h20min to 100 percent of the max combined wattage. You can see a picture of the standard-setup on this page
In addition we measure the temperature at the airflow input and output points and at the ATX connector. We also measure the temperature of the ambient air as well as measure the noise of the fan of the unit.
In addition we measure the ripple of the 3.3V and 12V rails during the test in accordance with the latest ATX-specs.


Antec Phantom 500: Problems Once Again With 3.3 Volts

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/stresstest-07.html

Antec True Power 2.0 550W

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/stresstest-06.html

Full article---

http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200507111/index.html

 

[biostud]

some of the PSU's handle everything fine, so you can only wonder why some don't. Same with the OCZ powerstream.

 

[xenolith]

THG's comment about OCZ Powerstream's external trim pots: "Who needs this?!? Here you can manually adjust the voltages to the individual rails. This "feature" is utterly nonsensical and dangerous to boot."

Who needs it? I guess no one needs it. THG simply amazes me sometimes...

I guess all the various nuances of "overclocking" is totally foreign to THG staff writers. :roll:

Going to THG for tech news/info is like going to a homeless crack-whore for relationship advice.

 

[freethrowtommy]

I think it is just that the power supply failed the test, simple as that. There are power supplies that did pass the tests with flying colors...

It could just be that they got a faulty one, in that case, what they should do is test another one to see if it happens again. I mean, it would only make sense to try it over. But you would think these power supplies are cherry picked unless they were bought by Tom's from a store/distributer and not the company.

Not even PCP&C power supplies pass 100% of the time for everyone... just isn't they way it works.

 

[Gamingphreek]

I have heard that Tom has before, been bribed into writing slanted reviews.

From what i remember Tom himself is very very smart, however, the people who do his reviewing are morons.

Best stay with AT or SilentPCReview for PSU reviews. Of course some of the smaller review sights are normally pretty good, but many do not adequately test the PSU.

If you happen to see an interesting article at Toms, read it and just take it with a grain of salt until you hear it from a more reputable source.

-Kevin

 

[Jeff7]

Yay, Seasonic makes a showing there! 83.4% efficiency. Fortron, a bit better - 83.5%.

Yeah, I'm kind of going to be jumping on the efficiency bandwagon soon. My one PC consumes nearly 200W under full load. Leave that on 24/7 - 4.8KWH. Leave it on for a full month like that (running F@H in the background or whatever, keeping the CPU going), and you're looking at 144KWH/month just for a computer. Not expensive exactly, maybe $10-$12 a month....but really, it is a lot of electricity.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: freethrowtommy
I think it is just that the power supply failed the test, simple as that. There are power supplies that did pass the tests with flying colors...

It could just be that they got a faulty one, in that case, what they should do is test another one to see if it happens again. I mean, it would only make sense to try it over. But you would think these power supplies are cherry picked unless they were bought by Tom's from a store/distributer and not the company.

Not even PCP&C power supplies pass 100% of the time for everyone... just isn't they way it works.

they write that the OCZ has been tested for 48 hours in OCZ labs.

Yay, Seasonic makes a showing there! 83.4% efficiency. Fortron, a bit better - 83.5%.

and the Fortron is only 300W

 

[Lithan]

You know what happened? PCP&C sent Tom a check. OCZ (primary competition in enthusiast market with PCP&C) get's not only a bad review, but an insulting one. I don't even use OCZ PSU's (I'm a fortron man), and even I can see that.

Notice how they only tested fortron's passive 300watt and not their 500watt (I believe they also have a 600watt available) unit? Guess they didn't want to stick out their necks badmouthing a PSU from a manufacturer with fifteen years reputation for beasts.

 

[imported_Soldier]

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Is it Antec that needs to correct issues?
Or does the tom`s hardware people just have no clue?

Theres nothing wrong with Tom's method of testing and there's nothing wrong with Antec supplies as long as you dont load them more than 50% of the supplies rating. They are fine for average non-overclocked systems.

Originally posted by: Lithan
You know what happened? PCP&C sent Tom a check. OCZ (primary competition in enthusiast market with PCP&C) get's not only a bad review, but an insulting one. I don't even use OCZ PSU's (I'm a fortron man), and even I can see that.

Notice how they only tested fortron's passive 300watt and not their 500watt (I believe they also have a 600watt available) unit? Guess they didn't want to stick out their necks badmouthing a PSU from a manufacturer with fifteen years reputation for beasts.

Good one. Face facts, just because you bought something doesnt make it good. The PC P&C units are well known by all enthusiasts to be the absolute best supplies, only one or two other makes tie it in durability and Fortron isnt one of those. I have used Antec, Enermax and EPower units and all have failed under heavy overclocking loads. I finaly woke up and spent the cash on a solid PC P&C unit and have never had a power related failure since. Believe the cheapskates, the people in denial and the dope smokers if you want.

When you folks all get tired of unstable overclocks and random computer crashes I'd suggest you back up your multi-thousand dollar computer with something besides a bargin basement power supply. :roll:

 

[CheesePoofs]

Originally posted by: Soldier

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Is it Antec that needs to correct issues?
Or does the tom`s hardware people just have no clue?

Theres nothing wrong with Tom's method of testing and there's nothing wrong with Antec supplies as long as you dont load them more than 50% of the supplies rating. They are fine for average non-overclocked systems.

Antec's are known to be very high quality power supplies. Meaning they meet their specifications.

Originally posted by: Soldier

Originally posted by: Lithan
You know what happened? PCP&C sent Tom a check. OCZ (primary competition in enthusiast market with PCP&C) get's not only a bad review, but an insulting one. I don't even use OCZ PSU's (I'm a fortron man), and even I can see that.

Notice how they only tested fortron's passive 300watt and not their 500watt (I believe they also have a 600watt available) unit? Guess they didn't want to stick out their necks badmouthing a PSU from a manufacturer with fifteen years reputation for beasts.

Good one. Face facts, just because you bought something doesnt make it good. The PC P&C units are well known by all enthusiasts to be the absolute best supplies, only one or two other makes tie it in durability and Fortron isnt one of those. I have used Antec, Enermax and EPower units and all have failed under heavy overclocking loads. I finaly woke up and spent the cash on a solid PC P&C unit and have never had a power related failure since. Believe the cheapskates, the people in denial and the dope smokers if you want.

When you folks all get tired of unstable overclocks and random computer crashes I'd suggest you back up your multi-thousand dollar computer with something besides a bargin basement power supply. :roll:

Same with OCZ. They are known to make some of the best PS's out there, and one of the best power supplies should NOT be getting a review that bad unless the reviewer doesnt' know what they are doing or has a bias towards one product.

 

[xenolith]

Originally posted by: Soldier

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Is it Antec that needs to correct issues?
Or does the tom`s hardware people just have no clue?

Theres nothing wrong with Tom's method of testing and there's nothing wrong with Antec supplies as long as you dont load them more than 50% of the supplies rating. They are fine for average non-overclocked systems.

Originally posted by: Lithan
You know what happened? PCP&C sent Tom a check. OCZ (primary competition in enthusiast market with PCP&C) get's not only a bad review, but an insulting one. I don't even use OCZ PSU's (I'm a fortron man), and even I can see that.

Notice how they only tested fortron's passive 300watt and not their 500watt (I believe they also have a 600watt available) unit? Guess they didn't want to stick out their necks badmouthing a PSU from a manufacturer with fifteen years reputation for beasts.

Good one. Face facts, just because you bought something doesnt make it good. The PC P&C units are well known by all enthusiasts to be the absolute best supplies, only one or two other makes tie it in durability and Fortron isnt one of those. I have used Antec, Enermax and EPower units and all have failed under heavy overclocking loads. I finaly woke up and spent the cash on a solid PC P&C unit and have never had a power related failure since. Believe the cheapskates, the people in denial and the dope smokers if you want.

When you folks all get tired of unstable overclocks and random computer crashes I'd suggest you back up your multi-thousand dollar computer with something besides a bargin basement power supply. :roll:

I've heard a 600W OCZ Powerstream called a lot of things, but "bargin basement power supply" certainly isn't even close to one of them. The Powerstream is renowned for there quality, performance, and service in the industry, especially among some of the most ardent overclocking enthusiats.

 

[angryswede]

I own an Antec and I have to say I am extemely pleased with it. The rails are steady as a rock varying by at most 2%. As far as OCZ is concerned I have no personal experience, but I've heard nothing but positive things. THG is full of it.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Hell, my little Antec Smartpower 400W hasn't given me any trouble, and I have pushed it pretty close to its limits(not hard to do). I've never known Antec to be particularly cheap or low-quality. Maybe their rep isn't as good as it once was, but they're still solid. Just a bit overpriced for the specs they advertise, that's all.

 

[Velk]

Originally posted by: xenolith

THG's comment about OCZ Powerstream's external trim pots: "Who needs this?!? Here you can manually adjust the voltages to the individual rails. This "feature" is utterly nonsensical and dangerous to boot."

Who needs it? I guess no one needs it. THG simply amazes me sometimes...

I guess all the various nuances of "overclocking" is totally foreign to THG staff writers. :roll:

Actually, this particular 'nuance' of overclocking is entirely lost to me as well. Can you explain a situation in which you would want to spin a dial on the back of your PSU while it is running to increase the 5V line ?

I have to agree with the THG reviewers there - those dials are just begging for you to accidentally jostle them and fry your motherboard.

 

[fstime]

If you screw up by turning them to much, thats your problem buddy.

 

[bozack]

Originally posted by: Velk

Actually, this particular 'nuance' of overclocking is entirely lost to me as well. Can you explain a situation in which you would want to spin a dial on the back of your PSU while it is running to increase the 5V line ?

I have to agree with the THG reviewers there - those dials are just begging for you to accidentally jostle them and fry your motherboard.

I am with you velk,

While having most adjustments is generally a good thing, this one's necessity escapes me as well..I would rather just have a power supply that automatically supplied and managed the power appropriately rather than needing manual input to make adjustments/corrections...seems like they are adding adjustments just for the sake of adding adjustments.

 

[angryswede]

I agree that I can't see any practical use for this at all in overclocking. However, THG says that its a dangerous feature. Hell, my DFI board has tons of 'dangerous' voltages and settings. That's simply the nature of overclocking.

 

[akugami]

Unless you can prove Tom's has been taking checks from companies for good reviews, you shouldn't say so. You might not like their reviews. You may find flaws in their testing. But until you can prove they've been taking bribes, don't say so. Generally I've found the reviews at Tom's to be ok, I don't agree with all of them but they're ok. I haven't noticed any outright bias for certain companies or unending glowing reviews for certain companies that didn't warrant it.

 

[rise]

were you not around for their dual core stress test?

btw i'm not saying that proves they take money only that they are incompetent and think nothing of lying and misleading to cover up their gaffes.

 

[bradley]

I wonder if this review is as scientific as his recent Intel vs. AMD dual core stress test. Tom is the only one who has test equipment fail with regularity, and then includes it as part of his so called 'tests.' I don't think he even understands the concept of having a control in his experiments. Or he impractically pushes hardware well beyond their theoretical limits, and then blows the results way out of proportion. Although, I'll have to admit getting a chuckle whenever he uses the phrase "THG test labs" in earnest... for all I know he conducts this experiments in a lavatory.

Anyway, I quit reading Tom's Hardware Guide ages ago.

 

[AkumaX]

i got a Seasonic 300w, because i heard Seasonic's were quiet. it is pretty quiet. but i don't know how continuous/steady/consistent the rails are on the 300w. looks like i should have found a passive Fortran!

 

[bradley]

Originally posted by: akugami
Unless you can prove Tom's has been taking checks from companies for good reviews, you shouldn't say so. You might not like their reviews. You may find flaws in their testing. But until you can prove they've been taking bribes, don't say so. Generally I've found the reviews at Tom's to be ok, I don't agree with all of them but they're ok. I haven't noticed any outright bias for certain companies or unending glowing reviews for certain companies that didn't warrant it.

Tom is like the hardware testing equivalent of a shock jock... for all we know he's taking payola, who knows. It's certainly interesting how virtually overnight his opinions became slanted from AMD over into Intel's favor. But I believe as long as his readers find him entertaining, then he's serving his overall objective. I guess my only problem with Tom is that he's no longer relevant, and doesn't realize it.

 

[Lithan]

Originally posted by: Soldier

Originally posted by: JEDIYoda
Is it Antec that needs to correct issues?
Or does the tom`s hardware people just have no clue?

Theres nothing wrong with Tom's method of testing and there's nothing wrong with Antec supplies as long as you dont load them more than 50% of the supplies rating. They are fine for average non-overclocked systems.

Originally posted by: Lithan
You know what happened? PCP&C sent Tom a check. OCZ (primary competition in enthusiast market with PCP&C) get's not only a bad review, but an insulting one. I don't even use OCZ PSU's (I'm a fortron man), and even I can see that.

Notice how they only tested fortron's passive 300watt and not their 500watt (I believe they also have a 600watt available) unit? Guess they didn't want to stick out their necks badmouthing a PSU from a manufacturer with fifteen years reputation for beasts.

Good one. Face facts, just because you bought something doesnt make it good. The PC P&C units are well known by all enthusiasts to be the absolute best supplies, only one or two other makes tie it in durability and Fortron isnt one of those. I have used Antec, Enermax and EPower units and all have failed under heavy overclocking loads. I finaly woke up and spent the cash on a solid PC P&C unit and have never had a power related failure since. Believe the cheapskates, the people in denial and the dope smokers if you want.

When you folks all get tired of unstable overclocks and random computer crashes I'd suggest you back up your multi-thousand dollar computer with something besides a bargin basement power supply. :roll:

Wow, this is quite possibly the most stupid post NOT related to Intel I've ever seen on anandtech. Next time maybe go for the "Bargain basement supply" with twice the holdup of yours and spend the money you save getting a better than "bargain basement" spelling class.


Akugami, it's established that Tom's reviews are for sale. It's been known for over five years.



And to people agreeing that hot voltage adjustment isn't necessary... let's just say that you are out of your league. It's actually the number one selling point of OCZ's PSU's. They pretty much built the market for their powerstream line on that feature alone.

 

[Velk]

Originally posted by: Lithan
And to people agreeing that hot voltage adjustment isn't necessary... let's just say that you are out of your league. It's actually the number one selling point of OCZ's PSU's. They pretty much built the market for their powerstream line on that feature alone.

I have mentioned that I can see no use for it. You disagree, but don't actually say what that use would be. What, specifically, would you do with it ? The only thing I can conceivably think of is as a hack for a motherboard that doesn't support component voltage adjustment, but that strikes me as appallingly crude, and the further point that the general failure criteria is a system crash, at which point the ability to adjust the voltage in any direction becomes irrelevant.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that it is *bad* because it has that feature ( well other than, as previously mentioned, the chance to knock the dials accidentally ) , just that I can't see what the feature is useful for. Maybe there is a great and astoundingly good use for it - if so, please let me know what it is rather than offering more condescending hyperbole.

 

[Lithan]

Most people only use the 3.3v line adjust. It allows vdimm mods on 3.3v line boards to over 3.1v (with a typical PSU output that's about as high as you can get stably with vdimm... 3.2ish if you do a direct line mod). Adjustment for other lines is just for fine tuning to get a voltage that keeps your board happy. Different boards and even different installs will have different resistances from the PSU and back, and tweaking the PSU to accomodate these changes can improve your overclock. Of course, the 3.3v line is the most necessary adjustment. Having it external saves you some trouble and risk of doing internal hot adjusts (because cold adjusts are too damn inconvenient). Also, it's useful if you want to test at varying levels, so you don't have to continuously open and shut the PSU, since obviously, running an open PSU any longer than necessary is not wise.

Is it condescending to tell a fat man that he's wrong when he says that any shirt below a size XXXXL is useless?

And please, no amount of "jostling" is going to adjust recessed screw-turn pots covered by a warning label.