Seasonic S12II SS-500GB - Overview


We looked at an S12II 330W power supply in the last roundup, and we are including the 500W model in this roundup; both perform quite well. In fact, we first looked at both of these power supplies in late 2007, which helps to illustrate the point that there hasn't been much innovation in the sub-500W power supply market. The S12II series will soon be upgraded to an 80 Plus Bronze level to help it compete with 80 Plus Gold certified power supplies that will begin showing up in the middle of the year. The S12II offers good performance at a great price, which is one of the reasons this series has sold so well.


There are three heatsinks inside, two for the primary and a larger one for the secondary. Like the M12II, the primary capacitor is manufactured by Hitachi and Nippon Chemi-Con makes the secondary capacitors.

Seasonic M12II - Performance Seasonic S12II - Performance
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  • just4U - Monday, February 23, 2009 - link

    Excellent!! I am curious as to how those solutions compare to standalone "standouts". I think the days where we see some no name powersupply that isn't very good in systems (as a general rule) are gone. That's been replaced (in North America) now with seeing solutions by Antec, Fsp, ect as the standard. So the comparison's are of interest.
  • vailr - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - link

    Any idea when any "Gold certified" ~500W PSU's will be available (on Newegg, or another online vendor)?
    Such as:
    Thermaltake W0338 TP-500AH3NCG 500W
    Seasonic SS-550LT 550W
    Channel Well PUK500V-G 500W
    Discussed here:
    http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid...">http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid...
  • Christoph Katzer - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - link

    I think we will see first units in summer.
  • Mastakilla - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - link

    I'm looking for a cheap 450W - 550W Powersupply (cheap but still a bit decent, around 50 euro), so I was really interested in this article...

    Unfortunatly the only PSU in pricerange, the Artic Cooling, is unfindable in the Benelux (EU). Also the next in price (Tagan Superrock), which actually is too expensive already, is unfindable here...

    so I still don't know what to get
  • Kiijibari - Sunday, February 22, 2009 - link

    Buy an Enermax 525W, they were tested earlier here on anandtech and are very good PSU.

    They should be available easily in Europe :)

    cheers

    Kiiji
  • Mastakilla - Monday, February 23, 2009 - link

    Thanks for the tip, but those enermaxes are again waaaaaaaay above budget (89+ euro!!)

    The Corsair CX400 is 43 euro
    That Artic Cooling 550W is 68 euro (shipped from DE)

    I'm looking for something in between... (around 50-55 euro)
    like a decent 450-500W Powersupply...
  • MadMan007 - Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - link

    Corsair VX450 or HX450 (we unfortunately do not get the HX450 in the States :( Sad because it's 80+ Bronze)
  • Kiijibari - Monday, February 23, 2009 - link

    Sounds like you are looking for a (very) good *and* cheap PSU.

    That is imo impossible. You either get cheap China crackers or good, expensive ones.

    Do you *really* need ~500W ?

    If not then try the Enermax 425W. That is my last idea, otherwise I would suggest to raise your budget :)

    cheers

    Kiiji
  • Mastakilla - Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - link

    no, you're wrong...

    the Corsair CX400 apparently isn't that bad and is VERY cheap...

    I'm willing to pay a little more for a little better, but it seems like paying a little more will only get me worse :(

    Paying A LOT more does get better though, but then I'm over my budget for the pc i'm composing...
  • Christoph Katzer - Saturday, February 21, 2009 - link

    Try Caseking.de
    http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Netzteile/Arct...">http://www.caseking.de/shop/catalog/Net...0R-80Plu...

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