Enermax Infiniti 650W
by Christoph Katzer on September 11, 2007 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Temperatures
While testing the Infiniti we encountered some very strange behavior in regards to temperatures. The exhaust temperature was similar at the various loads throughout testing, whether at room temperature or in the heat chamber. The secondary heatsink also stays at almost the same temperature in both environments, which means the power supply is not really dependant on the ambient temperature. Only the primary heatsink shows any significant changes in our heat chamber. At room temperature, it was only a few degrees higher than the ambient temperature; this pattern holds in the heat chamber as well, where it remains just a few degrees above ambient topping out at ~53°C. Needless to say, the temperature results are quite impressive.
Fan Speed
The fan behaves more like it's dependent on the load of the power supply rather than the temperature of the inside. The fan reached a maximum of 1500 RPM in our heat chamber before the safety feature kicked in to prevent overheating. While the room temperature was constant, the fan speeds up at higher loads in order to deal with the higher inner temperatures.
Acoustics
Even though the fan stays at a relatively low RPM level, the noise levels rise quite a bit, especially during the heat chamber test. We measure noise levels that are over 10dB(A) higher under heavy stress conditions than at room temperature. That means the fan really starts to make some serious noise at full speed. At the highest speed the fan is clearly recognizable since it produces 40dB(A) of noise at a one meter distance. On the other hand, in more comfortable operating environments the maximum 29dB(A) was hardly noticeable and not at all annoying. The larger fan with low RPMs does create some wind noise, but it is at a frequency that we did not find distracting and we would say subjectively the PSU is close to silent when operated at room temperatures.
After 20 minutes in our 50°C heat chamber, the Infiniti shut down with a clearly audible beep. Enermax states quite clearly that they prefer to have the PSU survive instead of burning up at high temperatures. We think the fan could spin a little faster than just 1500 RPM to help cope with the added heat (which of course would mean more noise) but that wasn't the case. One thing we might like is to get some warning beeps indicating that the PSU is about to overheat, thereby giving users an opportunity to save any critical documents and shut down gracefully rather than having the over temperature protection kick in. A hard shut down might save the PSU, but such actions aren't without potential side effects.
While testing the Infiniti we encountered some very strange behavior in regards to temperatures. The exhaust temperature was similar at the various loads throughout testing, whether at room temperature or in the heat chamber. The secondary heatsink also stays at almost the same temperature in both environments, which means the power supply is not really dependant on the ambient temperature. Only the primary heatsink shows any significant changes in our heat chamber. At room temperature, it was only a few degrees higher than the ambient temperature; this pattern holds in the heat chamber as well, where it remains just a few degrees above ambient topping out at ~53°C. Needless to say, the temperature results are quite impressive.
Fan Speed
The fan behaves more like it's dependent on the load of the power supply rather than the temperature of the inside. The fan reached a maximum of 1500 RPM in our heat chamber before the safety feature kicked in to prevent overheating. While the room temperature was constant, the fan speeds up at higher loads in order to deal with the higher inner temperatures.
Acoustics
Even though the fan stays at a relatively low RPM level, the noise levels rise quite a bit, especially during the heat chamber test. We measure noise levels that are over 10dB(A) higher under heavy stress conditions than at room temperature. That means the fan really starts to make some serious noise at full speed. At the highest speed the fan is clearly recognizable since it produces 40dB(A) of noise at a one meter distance. On the other hand, in more comfortable operating environments the maximum 29dB(A) was hardly noticeable and not at all annoying. The larger fan with low RPMs does create some wind noise, but it is at a frequency that we did not find distracting and we would say subjectively the PSU is close to silent when operated at room temperatures.
After 20 minutes in our 50°C heat chamber, the Infiniti shut down with a clearly audible beep. Enermax states quite clearly that they prefer to have the PSU survive instead of burning up at high temperatures. We think the fan could spin a little faster than just 1500 RPM to help cope with the added heat (which of course would mean more noise) but that wasn't the case. One thing we might like is to get some warning beeps indicating that the PSU is about to overheat, thereby giving users an opportunity to save any critical documents and shut down gracefully rather than having the over temperature protection kick in. A hard shut down might save the PSU, but such actions aren't without potential side effects.
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HaZaRd2K6 - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
I know they make the Corsair 620HX (which I own; great PSU), but I thought PCP&C manufactured their own... Speaking of which, will we be seeing a review of any Corsair PSUs coming up? They're hot sellers at work, and I'd like to see how they stack up stats-wise to some of the others on here so far.n0nsense - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Good job with this review, guys.But have to disagree with you. 4/8 and 24 pin cables are short. It's enough for most of users, but it will be impossible to use it with Enermax CS-718 (I'm a happy owner of this one) case or any other case where CPU socket is not close to PSU. Strange thing. After all, it's the same company.
What is really missing for comparison, is Corsair HX620. Which i believe is best choice for this class.
As for Infinity, efficient, but noisy.
n0nsense - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Good job with this review, guys.But have to disagree with you. 4/8 and 24 pin cables are short. It's enough for most of users, but it will be impossible to use it with Enermax CS-718 (I'm a happy owner of this one) case or any other case where CPU socket is not close to PSU. Strange thing. After all, it's the same company.
What is really missing for comparison, is Corsair HX620. Which i believe is best choice for this class.
As for Infinity, efficient, but noisy.
Jodiuh - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
I'm not sure the exact length of the PC P&C 610's 4/8 and 24 pin cables, but it's a real close fit for my Stacker going up from the bottom, behind the mobo tray, back through a hole I cut out, and into the plug. The PC P&C 750 Quad/Xfire reviewed recently has 45CM cables as opposed to the Enermax's 50CM. Still, I think it'd be nice to have some 75CM cables for that extra wiring origami one might need inside a bigger case like the Lian Li 2100's and such.n0nsense - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - link
It must.http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...">http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...
Look at the picture. cables have to go from the top most to the bottom.
This is my old config which was running with Thermaltake 470 PSU (can't remember the exact model). But when I replaced MoBo with Asus P5N32-E SLI, i found it impossible to connect 4/8 pin cable. It was to short. My preferred PSU (Corsair's HX620) has 19" (~50cm) 4/8pin cable and i needed to do some customization to extent the cables.
n0nsense - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - link
It must.http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...">http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...
Look at the picture. cables have to go from the top most to the bottom.
This is my old config which was running with Thermaltake 470 PSU (can't remember the exact model). But when I replaced MoBo with Asus P5N32-E SLI, i found it impossible to connect 4/8 pin cable. It was to short. My preferred PSU (Corsair's HX620) has 19" (~50cm) 4/8pin cable and i needed to do some customization to extent the cables.
n0nsense - Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - link
It must.http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...">http://rusisrael.com/albums/pic/o/00/00/28/2859.jp...
Look at the picture. cables have to go from the top most to the bottom.
This is my old config which was running with Thermaltake 470 PSU (can't remember the exact model). But when I replaced MoBo with Asus P5N32-E SLI, i found it impossible to connect 4/8 pin cable. It was to short. My preferred PSU (Corsair's HX620) has 19" (~50cm) 4/8pin cable and i needed to do some customization to extent the cables.
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Nice review!Considering I have thought the Infinity line was NOT that good compared to other brands comperable PSU`s!!
It appears as if Enermax did something right!!
very nice review!!
retrospooty - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Yup, Enermax has been at or near the top for years. My last 2 PS were Enermax. I just got this very model the Infiniti 650 on Sept. 1st for $163.99 including shipping at ewiz.com. Very nice PS.retrospooty - Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - link
Also... about hte noise. I run a C2D at 4ghz and an 8800GTX overclokced as well all watercooled in Arizona, ambient temps are a warm 82f in my house. No noise at all coming from the PS after hours of load.