Antec TruePower Quattro 1200W
by Jarred Walton on July 7, 2010 6:50 PM ESTAntec TruePower Quattro 1200W
Although many users are currently looking for smaller power supplies below 500W, there still is a demand for stronger ones, particularly if you are a gamer with Triple-SLI or Quad-Crossfire systems. Those planning on running NVIDIA's next generation "Fermi" will want a fairly beefy PSU, and the same goes for Folding@Home farms where you'd want a lot of stable power. For the upper end PSUs there are a wide range of models, which doesn’t make the purchase decision easy. In addition, these power supplies are usually expensive so you'll want to get the best features and a reliable power supply that can operate even under maximum load and summer temperatures.
We received a TruePower Quattro 1200W from Antec and as usually we're looking to see if it provides a good overall package. We'll check out the safety features, voltage stability, and the available connectors. Efficiency is also an important issue and affects the energy consumption as well as the internal temperature. We also got a special OC version from Antec. It has two big regulators for the internal fan and +12V voltages. You can easily adjust the rail when the voltage drops down too much. In all other areas the OC version has the same features as the standard model.
The TruePower Quattro 1200W is a PSU that polarizes because of its 80mm fan. Usually a bigger fan also has a bigger cooling area, but lot of it depends on the fan-quality and cooling topology. With a 120-140mm fan mounted on the bottom, you have a curve in the airflow, but with 80mm the airflow is more direct. So temperatures should not be a problem. But will the fan be silent enough for most discerning buyers? Let’s find out!
Package Contents
The product is well packed and includes four screws, the modular connector cables, a short information sheet as well as a power cord.
Six well dimensioned +12V rails with 38A each can deliver the full power of the PSU. Again, we can see a manufacturer using a DC-DC converter. +5V has 30A and +3.3V offers 25A. Together they can handle 170W. The massive standby rail is rated at 6A.
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bigboxes - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
If it's a pricey model that you've had for only 6 months why didn't you return it for RMA instead of opening it up? Doesn't Antec have a three year warranty?Don't get me wrong. I too opened up my failed Antec PSU... my ten year old PSU. Replaced it with an Antec 380W Green PSU. Can't beat $30 Fry's special. I also had another Antec PSU fail after 4 years (a TP 430w during their bad years). I still have a TP 550 that is humming along in my wife's machine going on 5+ years. I'd say more often than not that Antec makes quality power supplies. Of course I have switched to using Seasonic PSUs, but they are not cheap.
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, July 8, 2010 - link
NeoPower is not exactly a Halo product. It is about a high medium level product.The point is that sometimes you have electronics that are built on a solid design, but fail early. Maybe 1 in 100 NeoPowers would do that.
The NeoPowers had at least average to above average build quality...so I still don't understand your claim that it was cheaply built.
Black Jacque - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
" particularly if you are a gamer with Triple-SLI or Quad-Crossfire systems."The nine fanbois' in the USA that have rigs like that don't read AnandTech. Its likely they don't even read above a 5th grade level, "D00d!"
I wish AnandTech would stop pimping cr*p like this. Only about 1% of the readers need a Kilowatt powersupply. There needs to be more reviews on 400W and lower, highly efficient power supplies that cost less than US$50. These are the PSUs that 99% of the readers need and own.
If Anand wanted to do us all a favor, he would bend the ear of representatives at Seasonic, Enermax, and Corsair, and tell them that is what is needed, not powersupplies that dim the house lights when you boot your computer.
Perisphetic - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
95 Amps on the 12V rail?! Finally. I found a replacement unit for my spot welder. Just kidding, I'm sure this will make a fine plasma cutter power source...Perisphetic - Friday, July 9, 2010 - link
PC tuning enthusiast rejoice. Finally a 2 in 1 solution PSU arrives that can easily weld the sheet metal on the modded case and power the build computer as well. No expense has been spared in making the unit a 80 PLUS uncertified device.HOOfan 1 - Sunday, July 11, 2010 - link
How much exactly do you know about internal PSU design?Maybe you think the generic looked neat and clean because it hard hardly any components in there, while the Antec looked junky because it was crammed full of components.
VIDYA - Monday, July 12, 2010 - link
ok this is so shocking for me, to just see the sight of psu above 1 kilowatt........i mean why do you THINK we SHRINK the chips and simplify the programs(browsers, video drivers) ....this range of products is an OXYMORON for technology and reviewers should not encourage them.molecriket - Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - link
99.9% of readers don't care about this overkill. a complete waste of effort.JimDDuncan - Saturday, December 18, 2010 - link
Almost bought this one till I read a review where they tested with cables that did not have built in capacitors. Basically to get performance from this psu you need those specific cables. Also the capicitors are relatively bulky and could get in the way of a tight multi gpu build. Spent the additional 30 dollars on corsair AX 1200.