Antec SmartPower 2.0 500watt

Product:

Computer Power Supply
Website: www.antec.com
Date of Review: September 30, 2005
Price Tag: $89.95
Shipping: $9.85
Review By: Mark Fitch markfitch2003@gmail.com
Again many thanks to the fine working developers and hard working sales people of Antec for allowing me the pleasure of reviewing this fine product.

Goal of Review

My goal on this review is to show that the Antec SmartPower 2.0, 500 watt power supply performs and handles massive draw to the power supply and remains stable.

System Review Done On

OS: Windows Xp Pro Sp2
Cpu: Amd T-Bird 1.4ghz cpu Over Clocked to 1.85 Ghz Stable
Motherboard: Asus A7v133 Raid board with modified Bios
Memory: 3 Sticks of pc133 512mb ram
Dvd-Rom Lite-On Dvd+/-RW Dual Layer +R9
Hard drives: 4 Maxtor 250gig 7200rpm Raid 0, 2 Hitachi DeskStar 500gig 7200rpm
Video Card: Geforce 6800 Ultra 256mb agp
Network: Netgear 10/100/1000 Pci Nic
Sound Card: Creative Labs SB Audigy 4 Pro
Keyboard: Micro Cheapie
Mouse: Logitech Media Play Wireless Mouse

-=Introduction=-

Antec sent me a brand new SmartPower 2.0 500Watt Power Supply. Picture 1 at end of review.
This power supply featured a new push-pull Dual fan design used to cool the power supply more efficiently by drawing hot air from your case in with 1 fan and exhausting it with the other fan. Also new was cable management that allows the user to add what cables they need and not installing extra ones to eliminate Clutter. Also all pictures are at the end of the review.

-=Description=-

Power supply is built to last! Casing is sturdier than most other power supplies I have purchased. Both the fans incorporated into the power supply are variable speed controlled via temperature sensors. The user has the option to use it as a 20 or a 24 pin motherboard connection to allow use with older boards and the new pci express mother boards. Sata connecters are also included along with pci express graphic card connectors. Picture 2. Also the connection on the Power supply are simple there is only 1 way to connect them. Picture 3.

-=The Install=-

The install was a snap. Completely compatible and fits perfectly. The choices of cables were wicked!! Choices for Sata connections or Eide hard drives, Floppy Disk connectors, Video Card connections, and also extra connectors to allow you to add extra eide hard drive connectors or sata. A guide was also included in the manual on how to install these extra connections. Picture 4.

-=The Test of Death=-

I worked my butt off trying to push the limits of this power supply. Running neon lights off of it along with cold cathodes and various other power consuming items. I purchased 3 splitters to give me a few extra connection to try and overload the supply. Between 10 case fans, 4 120mm fans running off the motherboard, the hard drives, dvd-burner, mother board, and all off my usb items I figured the unit was being drawn to a total of 600watts and still ran 100% Flawless!! Impressive to the Max!! Needless to say I didn't run it like this for the entire time of my review. I toted this computer to 4 Lan Parties and people loved the cable management that Antec has installed on their Power Supply. Temp wise I know it ran cool. The Exhaust fan kicked on only 2 or 3 times and wasn't on for very long.
It passed the test with FLAWLESS Colors!!

-=Is It Worth It=-

Is it worth it? The price is Right, at $100 with shipping, all the different cables included, and the Antec 3 Year Warranty.
I recommend this to who ever is looking for a hard running no bull power supply.

-=Summary=-

My summaries are short and right to the point. The dual fans are a nice stock feature on this power supply. The advanced cable management system is superb on cleaning up a messy case. Cables included allow you to use what you need and give you the choice of not having so many unused cables hanging around. PLUS IT IS ALMOST TOTALLY QUIET!!!!!

-=Conclusion=-

Max on rating is 10 unless other wise noted.

Cost: 10/10
User Friendly: 9.5/10
Installation: 10/10
Performance: 10/10
Noise: 10/10

Overall Score: 49.5/50

-=Pros=-

Install is easy and simple
Cables are nice but some skill on adding the extra connectors is a +
Quiet is the kind of thing most people go for

-=Cons=-

I can't say anything bad about this unit
It has excided my expectations in all areas

-=Random Notes=-

Great power supply. Very quiet and even with both fans running your not going to notice a noise change.
Special thanks to Antec for allowing me to use and abuse a power supply.

-=Pictures=-