Thermaltake PurePower 520W Power Station PSU

ariesjj · 08-October-05, 03:44 AM

Thermaltake PurePower Power Station 520W PSU

After numerous rewires on my computer in an attempt to better hide my wires, I decided to pass my Ultra-X Connect off to my wife and move to a new style power supply. After days of deliberation, I finally decided on the new Thermaltake PurePower Power Station 520W PSU. And so the journey beginsÃ‚â€¦ In the following review, I will use a few stock photos of the PSU since my camera mysteriously disappeared up until about 10 minutes before writing the review.

Initial impression:

I received the package from NewEgg earlier today and it looks as if UPS decided to use my box for their makeshift football and kicked one to many field goals. Thank goodness NewEgg realizes that this happens and packs as many peanuts as possible inside the box. The actual product box is simple and straight forward.

Unfortunately, Thermaltake doesnÃ‚â€™t take the same pride on their interior packaging as other companies do. The power supply and power station were both covered by a single layer of bubble wrap which looked as if the kids had already finished popping each bubble. Additionally, Thermaltake included the other components in various (and mislabeled) boxes.

The Ã‚â€œPower Cord & ScrewÃ‚â€ box contained only the power cord and the other box contained everything else (yesÃ‚â€¦ screws included).

While modular power supplies are nothing new to the computer community, Thermaltake has decided to take the well known model and threw it right in the trash. Their new concept involves a maximum of five, yesÃ‚â€¦ you heard me.., five wires that come from the power supply itself. These wires are the 20/24 pin ATX connector, the 4-pin chipset connector, 2 PCI-Ex connectors, and an 8-pin remote connector.

Additionally, many people have opted to start taking the stickers off of power supplies in order to Ã‚â€˜clean them upÃ‚â€™. WellÃ‚â€¦ Thermaltake had an answer for that too. In place of the standard sticker on the side facing, they opted for a metal placard in its place that is difficult to remove.

The implementation of the Power Station seems like a unique concept. The idea behind this is that a single wire goes from the power supply to the Power Station, which sits in a 5.25Ã‚â€ drive bay. From there, you can use the modular design on the back to connect your various computer components.

Included on the back of the Power Station are 6 4-pin molex connections, 2 4-pin floppy drive connections, 4 SATA connections, and the 8-pin connection that receives power from the main unit.

Installation:

While the power supply itself installed with no problems whatsoever, thatÃ‚â€™s nearly all of the good that I can mention on the installation part of this review. The extended back side of the power supply creates a tighter than normal fit for the 20/24-pin motherboard connection. The power station, which is nearly 2 inches longer than my DVD +/-RWs tightens up the fit even more. Additionally, the modular connectors all must protrude from the back of the power station to go to their needed destination.

The wires are a pleasant change from the modular wires of my Ultra-X Connect power supply. They are nicely wrapped and can bend till your heartÃ‚â€™s content unlike the thick and inflexible wires on the Ultra-X.

Another new addition to the modular design is the remote power outlet. This outlet, which is connected to the power station via an extended 4-pin molex wire, can allow you to further hide your fan and lighting connections nearly anywhere. This helps alleviate the short power cables that are often associated with these items. On the remote power outlet are 4 4-pin molex connections and 2 3-pin fan connections. This is, in my opinion, one of the most unique implementations IÃ‚â€™ve seen in the PSU scene in quite some time.

Conclusion:

The Thermaltake PurePower 520W Power Station takes a common design and tries to turn it up a notch. While filled with unique concepts, Thermaltake failed to fully think out their new product. The remote power connector is an outstanding addition that I would like to see implemented on various other PSUs, but they are more than welcome take the Power Station and throw it in the trash where it belongs. Many people would be doing much better to build their own fanbus system in order to get the same idea at a much cheaper price. The price to feasibility and ease ratio simply does not make this PSU a high priority buy.

Pros:

Remote Power Connection for fans and lighting

Highly flexible wires

SLI / Crossfire ready

Cons:

Price

Inefficient Power Station (size and function)

Difficult placard removal

I give this product a 4 / 10 pimp hats.

08-October-05, 03:44 AM		#1 (permalink)
ariesjj Apex Master Tech	Thermaltake PurePower 520W Power Station PSU Thermaltake PurePower Power Station 520W PSU After numerous rewires on my computer in an attempt to better hide my wires, I decided to pass my Ultra-X Connect off to my wife and move to a new style power supply. After days of deliberation, I finally decided on the new Thermaltake PurePower Power Station 520W PSU. And so the journey beginsÃ‚â€¦ In the following review, I will use a few stock photos of the PSU since my camera mysteriously disappeared up until about 10 minutes before writing the review. Initial impression: I received the package from NewEgg earlier today and it looks as if UPS decided to use my box for their makeshift football and kicked one to many field goals. Thank goodness NewEgg realizes that this happens and packs as many peanuts as possible inside the box. The actual product box is simple and straight forward. Unfortunately, Thermaltake doesnÃ‚â€™t take the same pride on their interior packaging as other companies do. The power supply and power station were both covered by a single layer of bubble wrap which looked as if the kids had already finished popping each bubble. Additionally, Thermaltake included the other components in various (and mislabeled) boxes. The Ã‚â€œPower Cord & ScrewÃ‚â€ box contained only the power cord and the other box contained everything else (yesÃ‚â€¦ screws included). While modular power supplies are nothing new to the computer community, Thermaltake has decided to take the well known model and threw it right in the trash. Their new concept involves a maximum of five, yesÃ‚â€¦ you heard me.., five wires that come from the power supply itself. These wires are the 20/24 pin ATX connector, the 4-pin chipset connector, 2 PCI-Ex connectors, and an 8-pin remote connector. Additionally, many people have opted to start taking the stickers off of power supplies in order to Ã‚â€˜clean them upÃ‚â€™. WellÃ‚â€¦ Thermaltake had an answer for that too. In place of the standard sticker on the side facing, they opted for a metal placard in its place that is difficult to remove. The implementation of the Power Station seems like a unique concept. The idea behind this is that a single wire goes from the power supply to the Power Station, which sits in a 5.25Ã‚â€ drive bay. From there, you can use the modular design on the back to connect your various computer components. Included on the back of the Power Station are 6 4-pin molex connections, 2 4-pin floppy drive connections, 4 SATA connections, and the 8-pin connection that receives power from the main unit. Installation: While the power supply itself installed with no problems whatsoever, thatÃ‚â€™s nearly all of the good that I can mention on the installation part of this review. The extended back side of the power supply creates a tighter than normal fit for the 20/24-pin motherboard connection. The power station, which is nearly 2 inches longer than my DVD +/-RWs tightens up the fit even more. Additionally, the modular connectors all must protrude from the back of the power station to go to their needed destination. The wires are a pleasant change from the modular wires of my Ultra-X Connect power supply. They are nicely wrapped and can bend till your heartÃ‚â€™s content unlike the thick and inflexible wires on the Ultra-X. Another new addition to the modular design is the remote power outlet. This outlet, which is connected to the power station via an extended 4-pin molex wire, can allow you to further hide your fan and lighting connections nearly anywhere. This helps alleviate the short power cables that are often associated with these items. On the remote power outlet are 4 4-pin molex connections and 2 3-pin fan connections. This is, in my opinion, one of the most unique implementations IÃ‚â€™ve seen in the PSU scene in quite some time. Conclusion: The Thermaltake PurePower 520W Power Station takes a common design and tries to turn it up a notch. While filled with unique concepts, Thermaltake failed to fully think out their new product. The remote power connector is an outstanding addition that I would like to see implemented on various other PSUs, but they are more than welcome take the Power Station and throw it in the trash where it belongs. Many people would be doing much better to build their own fanbus system in order to get the same idea at a much cheaper price. The price to feasibility and ease ratio simply does not make this PSU a high priority buy. Pros: Remote Power Connection for fans and lighting Highly flexible wires SLI / Crossfire ready Cons: Price Inefficient Power Station (size and function) Difficult placard removal I give this product a 4 / 10 pimp hats. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by ariesjj; 13-October-05 at 07:32 PM.. Reason: Error in formatting at beginning

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