Zippy Serene (GP2-5600V)
by Christoph Katzer on September 3, 2007 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Conclusion
The Serene is slightly comparable to the G1. While the G1 focuses on high-end gamers with the need of stability and reliability, the Serene offers almost the same but with a much higher efficiency. We see no reason why a user should choose the G1 when he can have the Serene. However, a big issue at the moment is availability. We have simply found no retailer in the world who offers the Serene and Zippy has not been much of a help so far. When/if we get an update on the availability we will post it here.
Assuming the availability issue is addressed, the Serene is a very good power supply with the best quality possible in the areas of design and components. The cables are long enough for most cases, and we only wish Zippy would have provided a little more choice on the PEG connectors since a 600W power supply is able to power up more than a single video card. The single 45A 12V rail should be able to handle high-end cards without difficulty, but many of those are beginning to require 8-pin connections, and we expect the next generation GPUs will increase that trend.
The DC outputs are quite similar to those of the G1. We did not see any flaw in this area, since none of the rails went out of specs even at higher loads and temperatures. The 12V rail is a little worse than the G1, but it's still close enough to the ideal result that it shouldn't present any problems.
As for the efficiency, the numbers show a clear statement: the Zippy Serene has the best efficiency available in the retail market (at least, once it becomes available). We felt it was strange that the Serene wasn't able to show a better efficiency in standby mode, as it required up to 2.13W with no load at all. However, while that result is disappointing we must admit that high efficiencies at very low power draws aren't nearly as important as efficiencies at high power draws. After all, a 5% difference in efficiency at 200W works out to an extra 10W of power, which of course also means more heat that the power supply would have to dissipate.
It was good to see that Zippy at least used a lower rated fan for the Serene since it's just not as hot as the G1. With up to 39dB(A) it's clearly not suitable for ultra silent systems, even though the high efficiency makes it an attractive option for those systems. We are sure users could change the fan if desired, but in that case they need to be willing to void the warranty. As it stands, we just don't feel the power supply gets hot enough to require such a high RPM fan.
Another possible flaw in the design is the crowded internals of the PSU. If the housing were just a little longer the components would have more space to get air. We would expect higher turbulence because of the topology since most of the components are located directly inside of the airflow. This can also contribute to noise levels, as turbulence implies wind noise. However, the heatsinks are well placed and benefit from the air coming through.
Since we couldn't find this power supply for sale at the moment we are still waiting for Zippy to give us a rough price range. It will most likely be at the same level or slightly higher than the G1, considering the higher efficiency rating. If that's correct, prices will likely be in the $170+ range, which is a lot to pay for a 600W PSU. On the other hand, the Zippy Serene is one of the best power supplies we have seen so far and should bring very stable and reliable service to any owners.
The Serene is slightly comparable to the G1. While the G1 focuses on high-end gamers with the need of stability and reliability, the Serene offers almost the same but with a much higher efficiency. We see no reason why a user should choose the G1 when he can have the Serene. However, a big issue at the moment is availability. We have simply found no retailer in the world who offers the Serene and Zippy has not been much of a help so far. When/if we get an update on the availability we will post it here.
Assuming the availability issue is addressed, the Serene is a very good power supply with the best quality possible in the areas of design and components. The cables are long enough for most cases, and we only wish Zippy would have provided a little more choice on the PEG connectors since a 600W power supply is able to power up more than a single video card. The single 45A 12V rail should be able to handle high-end cards without difficulty, but many of those are beginning to require 8-pin connections, and we expect the next generation GPUs will increase that trend.
The DC outputs are quite similar to those of the G1. We did not see any flaw in this area, since none of the rails went out of specs even at higher loads and temperatures. The 12V rail is a little worse than the G1, but it's still close enough to the ideal result that it shouldn't present any problems.
As for the efficiency, the numbers show a clear statement: the Zippy Serene has the best efficiency available in the retail market (at least, once it becomes available). We felt it was strange that the Serene wasn't able to show a better efficiency in standby mode, as it required up to 2.13W with no load at all. However, while that result is disappointing we must admit that high efficiencies at very low power draws aren't nearly as important as efficiencies at high power draws. After all, a 5% difference in efficiency at 200W works out to an extra 10W of power, which of course also means more heat that the power supply would have to dissipate.
It was good to see that Zippy at least used a lower rated fan for the Serene since it's just not as hot as the G1. With up to 39dB(A) it's clearly not suitable for ultra silent systems, even though the high efficiency makes it an attractive option for those systems. We are sure users could change the fan if desired, but in that case they need to be willing to void the warranty. As it stands, we just don't feel the power supply gets hot enough to require such a high RPM fan.
Another possible flaw in the design is the crowded internals of the PSU. If the housing were just a little longer the components would have more space to get air. We would expect higher turbulence because of the topology since most of the components are located directly inside of the airflow. This can also contribute to noise levels, as turbulence implies wind noise. However, the heatsinks are well placed and benefit from the air coming through.
Since we couldn't find this power supply for sale at the moment we are still waiting for Zippy to give us a rough price range. It will most likely be at the same level or slightly higher than the G1, considering the higher efficiency rating. If that's correct, prices will likely be in the $170+ range, which is a lot to pay for a 600W PSU. On the other hand, the Zippy Serene is one of the best power supplies we have seen so far and should bring very stable and reliable service to any owners.
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16 Comments
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irev210 - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
Zippy is used in the best servers built buy Sun/Tyan/HP etc.That is why I personally love zippy. They are built like tanks with quality being #1.
While seasonic makes good PSU's, they are not built like zippy. For average consumer, they do not need such overdesigned PSU's. Seasonic will work fine.
For those that want absolute best/most durable pick zippy.
Phlargo - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
It's amazing just to check out these reviews to see what wonderful combinations of features and performance these companies can create. Seriously, 89% efficiency is impressive there aren't a lot of areas in our world we can boast this kind of input->output efficiency.Even if it isn't totally silent and or perfect in other ways (and it consequently doesn't elicit my purchase), it's an impressive piece of hardware and a great review.
I'm really enjoying the detail and care that is put into these power supply reviews - great methodology and thinking!
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I agree the reviewer takes very seriously what he is doing.I also must say though that eficiency is not the only criteria for purchasing a PSU!
It is very possible to have a highgly efficient PSU and at a later date have to RMA it.
Efficiency does not equate to quality and longevity!!
I see no reason to chose that PSU over say a Corsair....
John - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
It's been almost 2 months and there are still no ripple results. Are you stockpiling reviews? Have you received an o-scope yet? ;)If we look at the graphs both the 3.3V & 5V come close to going out of spec, and the 12V had a ~.4 drop. The fan is far from quiet. Efficiency and "build quality" aside, I really don't see what's so special about this psu. Why would I want to purchase this particular Zippy over a Corsair HX620? Corsair (Seasonic) gives us a total of 4 PCIe connectors (2x 6-pin & 2x 6+2-pin), modular cables, 105C rated industrial caps, quiet fan, and a 5 yr warranty with one of the best RMA's in the business.
Price and availability has always been a problem with Zippy. What's the RMA turnaround time?
On a lighter note thanks for cutting the number of pages in half.
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I think we have a different opinion about reviews in total. When I am searching a product I don't need anybody telling me that I need to buy that PSU. I would rather like to see different reviews and build my own opinion. Where we would be when I would tell you marketing reasons why to buy this PSU and not any other Corsair one? From your post it's already clear you don't see the point of choosing Zippy and that is everything a review is about, isn't it?In case of ripple... We will have ripple results as well as many other additional ones. It just took a little longer than expected.
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I also noticed no ripple results but in the scheme of things do we really want to be doing everything exactly the way other sites seem to mirror each other in how they test there PSU`s?Seems to me like the information given here is accurate and well written and very useful.
Even without ripple results! ,-- albeit would be a nice touch:D
These other sites that say they refuse to read your reviews due to no ripple results is so bogus. let`s say 20 people at mosts when Anands site has how many thousands who read everything?
I find it interesting the only people complaining about the lack ripple results are other people who test PSU`s or think they know ...ok now to move on....
As with the first Zippy PSU tested I see no glaring reason to choose the Zippy over any of the top quality PSU`s that Seasonic makes using the Seasonic name as well as being the OEM for other brands.
As with othr top quality PSU..namely the PC Power & Cooling there fan is also loud but hey it doe the job!!
I am not convinced that modular cables are a plus or a minus..possibly more of a preference that being good or bad.
Then we have cables coming out of the PSU not being posibly adequately secured.
Finally--- prices will likely be in the $170+ range, which is a lot to pay for a 600W PSU. On the other hand, the Zippy Serene is one of the best power supplies we have seen so far and should bring very stable and reliable service to any owners.
So we know that PSu`s such as Zippy and PC Power & Cooling as well as a few other have been known to last a very long time. Even past the warranty period!
But can we conclude the same about the new Zippy`s coming out or shoul we say we need to wait and see??
To RMA the thing could be a real nightmare...we will see....when they bcome available.
A very all very well written review!!
Just don`t get caught up trying to please 20 people from other sites....when you are out to please the members of this site and once again not the 20 or so members of other sites who visit here every so often!!
Peace!!
John - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
It's not a matter of copying other sites, it a matter of supplying the necessary information to gauge the quality of a psu. ATX spec lists an acceptable range for ripple, and some "high quality" and a lot of "low quality" psu's go out of spec which can contribute to premature hardware failure. I just cannot fathom how someone can afford a Chroma 61604 and not a ~$200 o-scope for testing ripple. If Christoph didn't think ripple was worth measuring he wouldn't keep saying "ripple results coming soon....."Christoph Katzer - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
Actually my o-scope was more expensive than the parts of the Chroma: Tektronix TDS3014BChristoph Katzer - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
For my personal use I would prefer every main stream PSU since the RMA will be quick and without problems. It's the same like when you are driving a Toyota or a Ferrari. Which one will be quicker repaired once sth is wrong?Zippy does simply not have anybody in the US with the proper equipment to change components etc. They will let the company send it to them and then an engineer will have a look at it. Corsair takes a new PSU out of the stock and sends it to you.
For example the top brand in Germany "be quiet!" has the service of changing your faulty PSU within 48hrs. They just send you a new one and take your old one with them and probably throw it away. So who would not prefer to buy such a PSU?
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I agree and we can also add to that list of turn around time when doing an RMA several othr companies. Such as PC Power & Cooling!I had a friend have to RMA his and all he did was call them and his replacement was sitting at his front door the next day. Thatwas even before he had a chance ship the bad unit.
BTW he had to pay nothing out of pocket. Yep--24--48 hrs is awesome !!
you are corrct Chris!!