Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 starsSolid power supply and great value.
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2014
I am reviewing the 500 watt model.
This is an ATX desktop supply that is 85mm (3.35”) tall x 150mm (5.91”) tall x 140mm (5.51”) deep. This compact model will fit almost all full, mid, & micro ATX cases. (This is NOT a laptop AC adapter.)
The connectors are well formed and well labeled.
Qty: / Type of connector / # of plugs @ approx length
Qty:1 24 Pin (20+4) ATX 19”
This 20+4 style connector will fit both ATX24 pin & ATX20 pin main boards.
Qty:1 EPS 8 Pin (4+4) 23”
This 4+4 style connector will fit both EPS4 pin & EPS8 pin main boards.
Qty:2 PCIE 8pin (6+2) 1@21” & 1@26”
These 6+2 connectors will fit both PCIE6 & PCIE8 video cards.
Qty:6 SATA 2@17” & 2@22” & 2@26”
Qty:3 Four-Pin Peripheral 1@17” & 1@22” & 1@27"
Qty:1 Floppy 31”
This supply is rated at the amperage below and comes with OVP (Over Voltage Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OCP (Over Current Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), and OTP (Over Temperature Protection).
500watts @ 40C / 3.3v 24A / 5V 20A / +12v 40A / +5vsb 3A / -12v .3A
This supply has a large fan that auto adjusts it's speed so it is quiet under light to moderate load. Under heavy load it can get a bit noisy but no worse then any other 80+ supply I've used. This supply has an on-off switch on the rear side.
My experience with this supply:
Power-up time and voltages were within spec when I tested them. I ran a 12 hour burn-in test when I installed it and the supply passed with no issues. (***Update 2016: I've had this power supply for over two years, I re-ran the 12 hour stress test and the supply passed again with no issues.***)
The big question:
Will this supply work in your computer? The list below should help answer this question.
Form factor: Is your mainboard and case ATX standard compatible?
ATX is the most common standard, but others exist such as like BTX or ITX, so be sure your mainboard and case ATX compatible. This information should be available on product spec sheets or contact your computer manufacturer.
Connectors: Are the connectors you need provided?
Take stock of your components and make sure this supply has a connector for every component. This supply has plenty of connectors so it's unlikely you'll need more then they provide.
Cable lengths: Are the cables above long enough?
If you are using a full size case be sure to check the cable lengths. For instance, if your supply is mounted on the top you may not be able to reach a bottom mounted SSD without a cable extension.
Watts: Can your system run on 500watts of power?
Use a free online power supply calculator to check the power requirements of your system. I prefer the OuterVision Power Supply Calculator but there are many others available. As a general rule you want at least %20 more watts then your system requires.
+12v Amps: Can your video card run on the Amps provided?
If you are using on-board (built into the motherboard) video then this does not apply. But if you have a discrete video card check the +12v rail requirement from the card manufacturer. As a general rule you want at least %20 more Amps then your card requires.
Proprietary system replacement:
If the replacement is for a proprietary system (store bought pre-assembled computer) then first confirm your supply is ATX standard and then replace it with one with equal or larger wattage and amperage. Check the sticker on the side of your current supply and make sure the wattage and each rail of this supply is equal or higher. If in doubt consult with your computer manufacturer.
2003 or earlier power supply replacement:
Modern ATX supplies do not provide a legacy -5v connection. If your computer was made in 2003 or earlier, and still has an ISA bus, it may need this legacy -5v connection. In short, if your current supply has a white wire on the ATX connector then this supply may not work for you. If in doubt consult with your computer manufacturer.
In all cases I strongly recommend testing any power supply before hooking it up to actual hardware. While defective supplies are rare, installing one could destroy any or all of your expensive components. I prefer the Coolmax LCD Power Supply Tester PS-228 (ASIN B002R06PGE) for this task but there are many good ATX power testers on the market.
Overall, it's an excellent supply given the low cost (about $40).
Then why four stars?
The first unit I received had a bad fan and was returned. I'm pretty sure this was a fluke because since then I have installed many more and had no problems with any of them. Every manufacturer makes the occasional lemon so don't let this deter you from buying this supply. In my experience EVGA stands behind their products and honors their warranty so there's no worries here.
I will buy another PSU from EVGA in the future and I do recommend them to friends.
