Viewing page 1 of 5 pages.
1 2 3 4 5 NextJuly 18, 2005 by Devon
Cooke
*POSTSCRIPT added Oct. 22, 2005*
|
Product
|
Cooler Master Real Power 550 RS-550-ACLY ATX12V
2.01 / EPS12V 2.1 550W Power Supply |
|
Manufacturer
|
Cooler
Master |
|
Market Price
|
US$120 |
The two major markets in the computer industry, desktop and server, have traditionally
been quite separate. For the most part, they have different requirements, use
different products, and are marketed separately. The only crossover
between the two is where high-end desktop or workstation products meet entry-level server products.
Some power supplies fall into this category; the similarity of the ATX12V (desktop) and
EPS12V (server) power supply specifications makes it possible for a PSU
to conform to both.
Most manufacturers seem to prefer to keep their products to one market or the
other, or to "unofficially" support EPS12V by supplying the 8-pin
EPS connector but not complying with other EPS12V requirements. However, this
is not true of Cooler Master, which has chosen to support both standards in
the Real Power 550. The previously
reviewed Cooler Master Real Power 450 did not support
EPS12V.
The most obvious differences between the 550W and 450W version relate to the
550's support for EPS12V: The +12V output is split across three separate rails,
and a workstation power connector is included for use with high-end workstations.
There is a also a 6-pin PCI-e plug for use with power hungry video cards.
A fairly compact but colorful box provides a good idea of the Real Power's features
as well as the usual marketing fluff.
The connectors are listed on the outside of the box, so you can tell at
a glance whether it has what you need.
The length of the cables would have been nice as well...
Inside the accessory box: Power supply, AC cable, manual in eight languages,
24 to 20 pin ATX adaptor, screws, and something called a "Human Computer
Interface".
A considerable amount of effort has been put into the presentation of the retail
package. For once, the printing on the retail box is actually useful: It shows
exactly how many and which connectors are provided. Inside the box, the individual
pieces are packed in a form fitting recycled cardboard tray, a step above the
usual bubble-wrapped packing job.
The manual is also impressively thick at first glance, although in reality
it's no longer than usual. Its 64 page length comes from the fact that it is repeated in eight
languages.
There is also an external power meter that can be installed in a spare 3.5"
bay. It appears to be identical to the one that came with the Real Power 450W,
and comes with both a black and a silver faceplate. Our test of that device
showed that it approximates AC power draw, although the rough markings do not
permit precise readings.
| Help support this site, buy the Cooler Master Real Power 550W RS550ACLY Power Supply from one of our affiliate retailers! |
|
