If you read my Antec SmartPower ATX 350-Watt Power Supply review, you will know that here is a difference between the TruePower and the SmartPower series.

SmartPower series are high-quality power supplies and are very good for most users. They are actually considered better than what most users have in their box. However, for enthusiests, it may not be enough. The fact that the 5v and the 3.3v rails are shared means that they can interfere with each other as loads are unbalanced or spike on one rail.

The TruePower series is the same high quality build as the SmartPower series, but have seperate rails for the 12v, 5v, and 3.3v lines. This will alow for more stability and less noise, which may cause extreme overclockings to fail. Also, add power-hungry fans to the mix, and you can see why this is even more important in a OCed machine.

Installation
The installation of the power supply is no feat at all. In fact, unlike other "beefy" power supplies the Antec does not flaunt. No big heavy heatsink-like exterior, lights, or huge fans. It looks just like the SmartPower series of power supplies, with one 92mm fan on the bottom, and an 80mm fan on the rear. The only visual differences is the black molex connectors, a hairnet-ed mobo ATX power cable, and a rear external molex connector. Having a gold fan grill isn't considered fancy, does it? :)

Just place it where your power supply usually goes in on your case. Four screws holds it in place (and is included).

The power cables are relatively long for mid-tower cases, and is just right for full-tower cases. I can't imagine what it would be like in a mini-tower. :( Had to jam one of the SmartPower power supplies in a mini-tower, and it was no fun at all.

Using a full-tower Chieftec case, I was able to route most of the wires with ease.

Features
Not much to say about a power supply. The TruePower series was already explained above, but other than that, the rest goes like this:

5 standard molex connectors
2 mini molex connectors
2 SATA connectors
3 fan only connectors
1 external molex connector
1 12v AUX connector
1 12v ATX connector
1 ATX connector (bundled nicely with a hairnet)

The hairnet sleeve is a nice touch, so that you won't have ugly single-strand wires all over the place. However, I wish they would have done that with each individual device connectors (all the wires that goes to the standard, floppy, aux, and 12v ATX connectors).

The rear standard molex connector is also a nice touch, so you can connect internal devices externally for testing (such as a CD-ROM drive that still has your Montly Crue CD in it, or a fan - well, you're the fan at this point, lol). A small plastic cover protects the connector so you won't accidently short out the supply when it's on, and you just so happen to have stuck a paper clip near that region.

My main concern is the small amount of standard molex connectors. Five is not enough, considering that most users who buy such a power supply have lots of drives and devices. For example, I have 3 hard drives, 2 optical drives, an ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (needs external power!), 6 fans, and a fanbus. I had to use 2 standard molex power spliters! I have never had to use them in so long!

Instead, they give out three FAN ONLY molex connectors, dedicated for fans only. Now if you think that is great, because it gives power-hungry fans a way to draw maximum power without disturbing other devices, you are wrong. The FAN ONLY connectors are only 12v (no 5v leads), and are thermally controlled by the power supply. That means if it thinks it's hot, it will spin the fans up. If it thinks it's nice and breezy in there, it will slow them down. Great if all your fans are by the power supply, but if you're like most users, you'll have them all over the place - INCLUDING the front, which is away from the power supply (and hence, away from it's temerature sensor).

Also, in testing the fan-only connectors, the fans spin waaaaay to slow, and is too weak to push any air. I was able to stick my fingers in there without any such drama or an "ouch".

Antec should have made those 3 "special" connectors into regualr ones, and leave the fan controlling to the fanbus.

Performance
Under load, the power supply does not break loose from it's faith: 12v/11.73v, 3.3v/3.24v, and 5v/4.92. However, the power supply is very warm, but this can be contributed to the fact that I have many devices connected to it (as stated above), and the system is extremely overclocked. Three of the fans are Vantec Tornados that push 80-120 CFM of air! They are quite loud, and are rated at 1 AMP each!

Conclusion
Despite it's inherent problems (which can be fixed with cheap splitters), performance-wise, it is solid.

I only wish for Antec to address the "fan-only" connector "feature" as a disadvantage, and the small amount of standard molex connectors.


Recommended: Yes