INTRODUCTION

   Much like everything else in this world power supply units come in many types, outputs and sizes but the quality of components is perhaps the one thing they all have in common so regardless everything else owning a high quality PSU should always be on top of your list. However what many people fail to realize is that the 80 Plus certification is not just a marketing gimmick since at least in most cases (we haven't had the chance to test every single PSU in the market) it goes hand to hand with the quality of components used so a bronze certified model will obviously be less durable than a platinum certified one (performance is another story but generally the same applies there too). Antec has been manufacturing power supply units for as long as i can remember but although they have quite a few 80 Plus Platinum certified units in their product line aside the very good HCP-1000 they haven't focused in high output models. This has changed with the latest HCP-1300 (High Current Pro) 1300W 80 Plus Platinum PSU which strangely we are amongst the very first to have on our test bench.

   Antec, Inc., is the leading global brand of high-performance computer components and accessories for the gaming, PC upgrade and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) markets. Founded in 1986, Antec is recognized as a pioneer in these industries and has maintained its position as a worldwide market leader and international provider of efficient, quiet, and reliable products. Antec has also achieved great success in the distribution channel, meeting the demands of quality-conscious system builders, VARs and integrators. Antec’s offering of enclosures includes a large range of cases, such as its technically advanced Performance One Series, cost-effective New Solution Series and server grade cases designed for the needs of all workstation and server markets. Antec’s products also include front line power supplies such as its TruePower Quattro Series and EarthWatts, the most environmentally friendly power supplies available. PC gamers are an increasingly significant consumer of performance components, and many Antec products are geared toward the gaming demographic, like the Nine Hundred, the premier gamer enclosure. Antec also offers a computing accessories line comprised of many original products, including its patented LED Fans and Notebook Cooling solutions. Antec is headquartered in Fremont, California, with additional offices in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, as well as in Germany, China and Taiwan. The company’s products are sold in more than 40 countries throughout the world. Please visit www.antec.com for more information.

   Leaving out the obviously important features such as the very high and continuous power output, 80 Plus Platinum efficiency certification and the Japanese industrial grade capacitors the HCP-1300 packs a number of equally important features that set it apart from most similar units. For starters the HCP-1300 is a fully modular unit which means that IF we ever see different power connectors you will not have to swap it for a different PSU since Antec will make new cables available. Second Antec has bundled an 28pin power cable just in case something changes in future mainboards and since usually PSU manufacturers get such information first it may actually come in handy for some people. It also comes ready with 4 +12v rails (50A max each, 1300W maximum load) and with the very interesting OC link feature that allows consumers to connect the HCP-1300 with a second one to provide power up to 2600W for really power hungry systems. Protections are also a very important aspect of every PSU and here the HCP-1300 really shines since it comes ready with Over Voltage, Over Current, Under Voltage, Short Circuit, Over Power, Over Temperature, No Load, Surge & Inrush and Brown Out ones for maximum safety. So after almost a full month of testing in various system configurations and conditions we can finally answer some if not all of your questions.