PSU Noise - Efficiency - Heat - Quality (Enermax or Zalman)

Kate · Post by **Kate** » Fri Dec 18, 2009 6:47 pm

Dear Forum users,

I have, in my house 2 PSUs, both are around 1 year old, and I would like your help to choose the best PSU, for both silence and quality.

The PSUs have different wattages and both are more than enough for my lil HTPC computer.

The PSUs are:

-Enermax Liberty ELT400AWT-ECO 400W;
-Zalman ZM-500HP 500W;

Of course i could NOT find any review comparing both PSUs since they are different in wattage, but I would LOVE to hear your opinion, and help me decide whats the best PSU for me.

It will be powering:

-XFX 9300 Motherboard;
-Intel C2D E8500;
-Sony BDU-X10s;
-A DVD-R;
-2 Seagate Hardrives;
-Wifi Card;
-HDTV tuner;

and in the future, I might add a low power ATI HD 5000 series, when they release the 5730 or 5830 as I want undecoded hi-def audio to feed my receiver.

Thank you!

b_rubenstein · Post by **b_rubenstein** » Sat Dec 19, 2009 8:02 am

Either PS is adequate for your current, or planned upgraded, system.

I couldn't find reviews of the specific models, but most power supplies are based on some platform that is used for a number of different model supplies.

The Zalman 500 probably has the same FSP mfd' platform as this one: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/402/1

The Enermax 400 probably has the same platform as this one: http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/688/1

They both got good reviews.

The Enermax is a newer design and more efficient.
I can't tell which is more reliable, since there aren't enough user reviews on newegg for either PS. There was also no reliable information on which one was quieter, although both seem to be quiet. You could try them both and see which sounds better.

I would be inclined to use the Enermax based on its efficiency

Kate · Post by **Kate** » Thu Dec 24, 2009 7:25 pm

b_rubenstein,

Ok thank you! Thats great to hear!

The Zalman PSU prides itself for that "heatpipe" tecnology, I am not really sure how efficient that thing really is.

Enermax, seems to be better built, even the painting is different.

Also I do not like the blue hallow for the Zalman PSU, its a computer, not a xmas tree, you know? And that light in a HTPC and HT environment is not good.

Anyways, thank you for your input and merry xmas

qiqi1021 · Post by **qiqi1021** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:22 am

I can't find reviews for those specific units either but can find different wattage ones from each line.

Enermax:
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/688
http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=711
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?na ... y&reid=136

Zalman:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/cooler ... u7_25.html
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article688-page1.html
http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/402

My choice would be the Liberty ECO, the whole line has similar internals to the Modu82+ line so it should be quiet and efficient if you look at SPCR's review for the Modu82+ 625W:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article806-page6.html

fpsrandy · Post by **fpsrandy** » Sun Dec 27, 2009 3:17 pm

I would choose either; probably the zalman 500w for the planned 5000 series video card that you plan on getting. Then i would get a low noise high efficiency 120mm fan and change the psu's fan to that. I have done it in the past and have been very happy.

Of course be careful when opening your computers psu, even if it is unplugged.