Enermax Launches the Pro82+ and Modu82+
by Christoph Katzer on March 25, 2008 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Conclusion and Prices
We are impressed by Enermax for coming up with these two series, even if they are quite similar. Enermax already showed promise with the previous Infiniti design, and the Pro82+ and Modu82+ set a new standard as Enermax tries to attack several markets at the same time. First, Seasonic now has some real competition in their quest to become the reincarnated PSU god of silence. The German market has the be quiet! power supplies, which at the moment are at least the second most sold brand for enthusiasts. Both brands are famous for their silent operation, and Enermax is definitely aiming for that market as well.
As we see at the price comparison, Enermax has a moderate price policy. Since these models are brand new, we expect the prices to fall somewhat in the near future. Enermax provides good technology and performance in their offerings, and they do it with better noise readings. The "quality budget" sector also gets a new option, as there are few good PSUs in the low wattage market, and we're not aware of any new models targeting this market from other vendors. The larger versions feature four 6/8-pin PEG connectors, which is not a common trait among their competitors.
Performance-wise, both of the new series showed very good results today. We have to say we like the Pro82+ a little better since it has much better pricing at the moment, but as stated this can change once the power supplies are available in greater volumes. The cable management of the Modu82+ is very good, and users will have no problems with it. The new 12-pin jack also buys Enermax some future expandability, since they can always adjust the harness and connector and leave the jack untouched. This is why Enermax has the right to put "future ready" on the package, though how meaningful that will be in the long run remains to be seen.
The efficiency ratings are very good, and especially the smallest version, the Pro82+ 385W, performed very well. All of the units reached a very good 86% efficiency maximum, and they also maintained a high efficiency level throughout the loading test. Voltage outputs were stable, and especially the important 12V rail performed within 2% to 3% of regulation.
When it comes to prices, we have the first prices available now but Enermax is still working to increase supply. The prices will surely drop in the next couple of weeks when more units are available at all the major retailers. Right now, the lowest price in Europe for the smallest version is 48 EUR, which is a good start. The Modu82+ models are quite a bit higher, apparently because of the extra features and the desirability of modular cabling. This can be seen clearly with the 625W versions of the Pro82+ and Modu82+, where the Pro82+ costs 105 EUR and the Modu82+ costs 125 EUR. The cable management definitely shouldn't add 20 EUR to the price; whether prospective buyers agree with that or not will determine how much that gap closes.
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The Enermax Pro82+ and Modu82+ both perform extremely well in our tests, and as such we are awarding both series our Gold Editors' Choice Award. Users can't go wrong with these power supplies, and silence (without going fanless) has been redefined today. Enermax truly has the quietest air-cooled power supplies in the market right now, and the prices (at least for the smaller versions at the moment) make these units relatively affordable and very attractive.
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loslhotos - Tuesday, April 1, 2008 - link
Maybe it's only my impression, but isn't the choke wire outside of the PCB hole?http://www.oink.wz.cz/mimo.jpg">http://www.oink.wz.cz/mimo.jpg
Fuzzilla - Sunday, March 30, 2008 - link
"...there are two main capacitors..."And who is the Mfgr of these for the Modu82+ series? Should I assume Hitachi as stated for the Pro82+ series?
Are you sure there are three rails, what does the bottom of the main PCB look like? Photos please.
According to your diagram the Modu82+ 525W has no floppy connector, Enermax specs state otherwise.
"The solder joints in general aren't that great with Enermax,..."
Really? Photos please.
Regarding Detailed Voltage Distrubtion , Efficiency & Acoustic Comparison: What were the results for the Modu82+ 525W?
Did OCP perform correctly?
How was crossload performance?
How did you test these PSU's?
jonp - Saturday, March 29, 2008 - link
you guys need to get out into the real world and take a break if you have been anxiously awaiting, for months, the arrival of boxes that pump electrons.quanta - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - link
The article misses important pictures, including Voltage Distribution and efficiency graphs.Christoph Katzer - Thursday, March 27, 2008 - link
So maybe you should read it more carefully...vajm1234 - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - link
hope u do that fast as i want all corsair 4nd 5 series psu to be there...especially that 450vx with other good psusfeelingshorter - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - link
Due to marketing with higher and higher wattage PSU's, a lot of people still are clueless on how much a modern day system uses (or at least i am). So i was wondering of Anandtech can give typical systems in which would use said PSUs can be used safely and to maximize efficiency.Such as mention that a dual core, 9600GT system using the 385? Or a 8800GT + quad core using the higher ups? Or can a 385 watt PSU (being that its enermax) handle say a 8800GT + quad core? I remember many websites in the past stating that even well to do gaming system don't need as much watts as people would expect.
nilepez - Thursday, March 27, 2008 - link
If the vast majority of power can be served on the 12V rails, then yes.an 8800GT less than 100W at full power. You can be fairly certain that the rest of your system pulls less than your graphics card (at least if it's core duo...havne't looked into quad cores).
When you go to PSU calculators, those figures they recommend are based on everything in your system operating at 100%. maybe it's just me, but I've never had my GPU, CPU, HD and DVD all going at 100% at the same time. At idle, you're probably pulling under 100W with an 8800GT (512mb). If you're overclocking, it can vary.
The main key is to get a good PSU, not necessarily a huge one, though I'm building one for my parents that's got a huge PSU (i've i'd seen this review 4 days ago, I would have bought the 385W enermax), because it was rated as very quiet....but these are apparently even quieter...and more efficient too.
Christoph Katzer - Wednesday, March 26, 2008 - link
Correct and we are working on that kind of article already :)strafejumper - Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - link
lot of places just focus on 800 and 1000 watt psu'si'm looking at the conclusion page and it says 350, 380, 385 !!!
i don't upgrade everytime something new comes out so these power supplies are still very usable for me and im glad they get some attention.