INTRODUCTION

   AMD just recently launched their flagship R9 295x2 mGPU graphics card which requires no less than a massive (for a single graphics card) 1000W power supply unit to efficiently run in most high end systems. Same goes for the GeForce Titan Ti by NVIDIA which is although less power hungry it still requires a good 750-800W PSU. Because of that the next logical thing would be for us to focus on high wattage PSUs but since we are all well aware that not everyone can afford to spend $1500 or $750 on a graphics card we decided to go the other way around and get our hands on several lower wattage models. A couple of weeks ago we reviewed the latest TruePower Classic 650W 80 Plus Gold Certified PSU by Antec which left us with the best impressions both because of its performance and its price. Today on our test bench we have the 500W variant to see if the same outcome applies for the entire TruePower Classic line (at least for more than just 1 model).

   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.

   550W may seem too little of a output for some consumers but its more than just enough to power entry/mid-end systems especially since in this case we are also talking about an 80 Plus Gold certified unit that features two +12v high current rails able to output 95% of the units total wattage, PhaseWave industrial design, Japanese capacitors, industrial grade protection set (Over Current/Over Voltage/Under Voltage/Short Circuit/Over Power/Over Temperature/Surge & Inrush/No Load Operation) and ErP Lot 6 support. Of course the TruePower Classic line includes 3 other models (450/650/50W) all of which are covered by Antec’s lifetime global 24/7 support and 5 years warranty. So the time has come for us to see just how the 550W model compares to its slightly larger brother that passed from our test bench a while back.