Enermax Infiniti 650W
by Christoph Katzer on September 11, 2007 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
CoolGuard and PowerGuard
CoolGuard is a newly invented function Enermax has implemented in the Infiniti series. Similar functions have already been available on the market for a while from other manufactures, but the idea is that CoolGuard runs the installed fans in the system for a short time even after the PC is shut down. The problem Enermax is addressing is the lack of cooling after PCs are turned off. The fans are turned off with the system but components like the CPU and GPU can still be quite hot. In some cases, with no fans moving a system might even heat up slightly after shut down. According to Enermax the CoolGuard function will lengthen the life expectancy of the components through a better cooling even after the system is turned off. Depending on PSU temperature, the fans will continue to run for anywhere from ten seconds to two minutes.
A little LED on the backside of the PSU shows if the PSU is working correctly or has experienced a failure. During testing we have indeed verified this feature works; under high temperatures of 50°C we managed to get the red light to activate and we were greeted with two beeps repeated at regular intervals, which means that the PSU has shut down to prevent overheating.
Packaging and Appearance
The Infiniti power supply comes in a big box with enough space for all the accessories. Since Enermax is mostly focused on the enthusiast retail market, we are greeted with several extras for the customers like a lanyard, stickers, and silicone covers for unused cable sockets. There is also a splitter cord in the box for two floppy drives that can be connected to a normal Molex connector. Of course there is also the usual stuff like a power cord, manual, and a small bag that can be used to store extra cables. Our power supply wasn't covered in bubble wrap, but there's enough space and padding on all sides that the PSU should be relatively safe from any damage that could occur during transport.
The Infiniti comes in a nice brushed finish with a copper/titanium-like color. The huge 13.5cm fan has a golden fan grille that makes a very good first impression (if you care about looks). The rear of the PSU that will serve as the exhaust when the unit is installed is perforated on the entire surface. Enermax uses hexagonal shaped holes which seem to be the best solution in terms of noise, airflow, and rigidity while still being small enough to prevent EMI issues.
CoolGuard is a newly invented function Enermax has implemented in the Infiniti series. Similar functions have already been available on the market for a while from other manufactures, but the idea is that CoolGuard runs the installed fans in the system for a short time even after the PC is shut down. The problem Enermax is addressing is the lack of cooling after PCs are turned off. The fans are turned off with the system but components like the CPU and GPU can still be quite hot. In some cases, with no fans moving a system might even heat up slightly after shut down. According to Enermax the CoolGuard function will lengthen the life expectancy of the components through a better cooling even after the system is turned off. Depending on PSU temperature, the fans will continue to run for anywhere from ten seconds to two minutes.
A little LED on the backside of the PSU shows if the PSU is working correctly or has experienced a failure. During testing we have indeed verified this feature works; under high temperatures of 50°C we managed to get the red light to activate and we were greeted with two beeps repeated at regular intervals, which means that the PSU has shut down to prevent overheating.
Packaging and Appearance
The Infiniti power supply comes in a big box with enough space for all the accessories. Since Enermax is mostly focused on the enthusiast retail market, we are greeted with several extras for the customers like a lanyard, stickers, and silicone covers for unused cable sockets. There is also a splitter cord in the box for two floppy drives that can be connected to a normal Molex connector. Of course there is also the usual stuff like a power cord, manual, and a small bag that can be used to store extra cables. Our power supply wasn't covered in bubble wrap, but there's enough space and padding on all sides that the PSU should be relatively safe from any damage that could occur during transport.
The Infiniti comes in a nice brushed finish with a copper/titanium-like color. The huge 13.5cm fan has a golden fan grille that makes a very good first impression (if you care about looks). The rear of the PSU that will serve as the exhaust when the unit is installed is perforated on the entire surface. Enermax uses hexagonal shaped holes which seem to be the best solution in terms of noise, airflow, and rigidity while still being small enough to prevent EMI issues.
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Bozo Galora - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
I am beginning to agree with a poster on another PSU review comment section that your droops near or on the max wattage seem to be more than reported on other PSU review sites, especially 3.3V and 5V.It seems to be an ongoing trend in the AT PSU reviews.
I am waiting to see a PSU review here I can directly compare with another impeccable site with top notch measuring gear.
Just thinking outloud - heh.
strikeback03 - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
We bought 2 of these power supplies from Newegg for new systems at work. In one, the box apparently did get dinged quite hard; the box was dented and the lip at the top on the cable side of the PSU (where you would put screws through into the case if the case has appropriate holes) was bent as well. Also, I would call the fit of the modular cables more than snug, I thought I might break the mounts in the power supply tring to get them to go in. It seems the pins were not very straight in the cables, as once they finally went in once they worked better thereafter. The cables for the Liberty worked much better, unfortunately they are not compatible without trimming.Otherwise they are nice units, and the fan is not audible over the noise of the air handling units in the lab even with the case right next to me and the side panel off.
G20C - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - link
Could you please tell me what are the lengths of the 24 pin and 4+4 pin connectors on your Enermax Infinity 720W PSU?I have an Antec P182 and I want to buy the Enermax Infinity 720W PSU but I don't know if the 2 cables are long enough.
Makaveli - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
I have the 720watt model and its a excellent PSU and well worth the money. I also don't find it loud at all, and my computer is right next to by bed!!I also believe the 720watt models fan spins at a higher RPM than the 650Watt model.
G20C - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - link
Could you please tell me what are the lengths of the 24 pin and 4+4 pin connectors on your Enermax Infinity 720W PSU?I have an Antec P182 and I want to buy the Enermax Infinity 720W PSU but I don't know if the 2 cables are long enough.
strikeback03 - Monday, September 17, 2007 - link
Sorry, we have the 650W models, same as this review. I didn't bother measuring, I would assume it is the same as listed here.strikeback03 - Monday, September 17, 2007 - link
Oops, replied to the wrong instance of this comment. Should be below.Bjoern77 - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Any chance that this one is up for on a soonish review? That would be my fav. against the 650w infiniti.Anyway, nice review, and thx for not reviewing the 720w infiniti again, which is probably the most reviewed power supply of all time..
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Will have Seasonic S12II next (sorry for the delay) and Seasonic will surely be happy to send me some more for evaluation.Jodiuh - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Don't they make both the Corsair 620 and PC P&C 610?