First Look: Enermax Revolution 85+ PSU

September 4, 2008 | 10:02

Tags: #85 #efficient #power #psu #revolution #supply

Companies: #enermax #galaxy

It nudges the underside of 90 percent at 50 and 75 percent load, but drops to a healthy 87+ at full load. This matches the Corsair HX1000W at 12V weighted full load but exceeds it on the rest. The 5V standby dropped a little low, but was still well within ATX spec - there's not much to criticise at all really, it did what it said on tin pretty solidly.

The biggest surprise was just how quiet it was at full load - it definitely wasn't silent and there was some obvious bearing noise from the Globe Fan (also a subsidiary of Enermax), but it wasn't intrusive and the noise was mostly a general rush of air, rather than a tornado like so many others.

The air was only warm to touch, not hot, even after a while left loaded fully, and the sides and base remained only moderately warm to touch. All in all, we're really quite impressed at this early stage.

First Look: Enermax Revolution 85+ PSU Early Enermax Revolution Performance

But how much will this cost? We have no absolute prices yet but expect the Revolution to be priced "at a premium" - we're expecting this unit to hit around £200. For something that may only have a five year warranty (we were told that this is still being worked out, and Enermax's current warranty is only three years) it does certainly seem expensive and only moderately covered.

The saving grace is that at least for UK people there is a local RMA base, but personally, for a significant investment of around £200 I'd want it to at least equal the competition in terms of warranty period - five years is certainly enough. Even if you don't plan to ever use it, it simply speaks volumes about the manufacturer's confidence in the product: why does this manufacturer only warrant it for three when everyone else is five, or sometimes even seven?

If you're after something a little more inexpensive, the EVO will be more competitively priced, however we've yet to see whether it can keep up with the Corsair HX1000W's 87 percent efficiency at under £140. In our opinion, the Galaxy name may carry it in Germany but not in the UK any more where people are more concerned with value rather than being brand loyal. Does three percent more efficiency warrant a bolt load more cash? What about a UK RMA base or a much quieter PSU - do these things swing it for you? The value is certainly a varied argument and we still contest how many people really need a full kilowatt in their systems in the first place.

Are you interested in the Revolution or new Galaxy EVO? Or are you simply content with buying a much more inexpensive kilowatt PSU? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Discuss this in the forums
YouTube logo
MSI MPG Velox 100R Chassis Review

October 14 2021 | 15:04

TOP STORIES

SUGGESTED FOR YOU