Antec HCG 750W: Built for Gamers?
by Martin Kaffei on April 12, 2011 8:20 PM ESTMeet the Antec HCG-750
We've tested many Antec PSUs over the years, so this certainly isn't a case of "long time no see". However, most of the Antec products we've reviewed have been higher-end designs with unique features or abilities—for instance, there was the "sandwich" PCB in the HCP-1200 and the environmentally friendly design of the EarthWatts Green 380W. There's nothing out of the ordinary in the HCG data sheets other than the powerful +12V rails. The HCG series seems to represent most PSUs: it's ordinary and "boring". So what makes this PSU into an Antec product?
For starters, plenty of manufacturers have attractive power supplies, but the robust case and red highlights are at least unusual. We've seen designs like this in the higher cost/wattage PSUs like the 850W Enermax Revolution85+ and HuntKeys' X7 1200W. Now Antec brings this aesthetic to lower wattages and prices.
That's all well and good, but Antec cares about quality. They have chosen very expensive capacitors from Rubycon. In addition, as our Antec contact Christoph (Business Unit Manager at Antec) likes to say, "more is better", meaning that two main caps are better than one. The ball bearing fans also last longer than cheap sleeve bearing models, which is another minor upgrade. While these simple elements aren't unusual for PSUs in this price range, they do set our expectations and we're expecting a good showing from the HCG-750.
On the following pages we will see if the caps can reduce ripple and noise and if the fan runs quietly. Moreover, good results can help compensate for the non-modular cables, as they are a disadvantage for most customers. Let's begin with a closer look to its characteristics and delivery contents.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
43 Comments
View All Comments
veri745 - Tuesday, April 12, 2011 - link
Pg 2:"A specified temperature for the various ratings would have been but we will verify the manufacturer information at room temperature."
jjj - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
No ripple at 110% load this time,you always have that."Most of us prefer PSUs similar to this, only with at least 80 Plus Silver rating and modular cables. You can get that with the Enermax Revoltion85+, but Enermax pricing on that PSU continues to be quite high and you have to move up to 920W."
A bit odd to compare it with the Enermax Revoltion85+ 920W, would have been much easier to go with the Corsair AX750 instead.
lacrits - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
There are quite a few options to consider in the 750 Watt range of PSU's. You have Corsairs TXV2, HX and AX. Then there are the XFX Black Edition, XXX and Core Edition series. There are also Thermaltake and Siverstone.. And there are more.. Don't forget SuperFlowers new ranges of PSU's which are stirring up the PSU market. Kingwin and NZXT are using SuperFlower built (OEM) PSU's.. There are plenty brands to consider when choosing best PSU at 750W. You have to constantly check retailers prices and special offers as these change all the time..jabber - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
For me its stability and cleanliness of the power going into my motherboard and components that I care about.I want the most clean and stable power I can get.
Filtering etc. is what I want.
buhusky - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
no modular, no gold kills the deal for mejoe4324 - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
Being someone who wants to game as much as possible, without grid power every watt counts. I mean *every* want counts. I have my 'gaming' tower down to about 100 watts total consumption under full load. Using a 2.5"HDD, undervolting while overclocking, and using a HD 4670 for graphics makes it possible. (considering a 5770, or a 6770 now) its really amazing. If this PSU would kick me up 8-10 watts per hour on power consumption that would be bad.I don't even know what the bronze vs gold means in real world terms I just know I need efficiency where I can get it when its cost effective.
radium69 - Wednesday, April 13, 2011 - link
Seriously, all these comments about efficiency crap.We didn't care a lot back in the old days when everybody was happy with their build in power supply from a random brand that ignited fires and gave smoke.
"Because it's not gold it kills the deal for me!"
Seriously, what is up with that. I have a OCZ 750W (no label) and I really don't care about it's specs. All I know is that it's great quality and durability.
Go scream about something else instead of 1 or 2 dollar a year for a freaking power supply.
The moment you left a lightbulb on you've wasted it aswell.
Thanks martin,
For a nice brief review of a great Antec Power Supply.
I have had a few running and they are all stable and silent.
I really like this one, almost want to trade my old one in.
Cheers.
rahvin - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Be the fanboi, think all that you care about is all that matters. Most of the people commenting on efficiency do so for some of the reasons listed that you didn't bother to read and they have little to do with power consumption although that's a nice bonus.A little history: 80+ Spec power supplies exist because Google determined that they could save significant dollars in the data center business by increasing the efficiency of the power supply. These savings come in three areas, direct power consumption, heat output and cooling. In total in a data center setting it can save 20-30% of the power usage of the data center. They poured several million dollars into research and development of 80+ certified power supplies. As a result of some press about the innovation they had the public became aware of it and demanded it from general consumer power supplies. Google licensed the technology to the suppliers and I believe some developed their own systems.
But what you fail to realize is that the wattage isn't the only saving, there is a very significant heat savings that can be absolutely critical in a high heat gaming environment which is far more important than the cost of the power. 20 watts of power converted to heat is very significant and can result in heat overload versus heat stable. On a high end gaming situation where you are consuming 500+ watts 80+ efficiency can mean saving of 100+ watts of heat, that's a LOT of heat (ever tried to hold a 60 watt incandescent bulb?). That reduced heat load can be the difference in overclocking 5% versus 15%. It's also been proven that in general, comparing supplies produced by the same manufacturer, that the 80+ certified supplies will use much higher quality components because it's very difficult to get that efficient of conversion from AC to DC.
As always you should review the supply and make sure it meets your specifications but as others have said, if it's not 80+ efficient I don't even want to consider it. I push my systems pretty hard (currently running a 2600K at 4.4Ghz) and that extra heat in the system will overload my cooling capacity and set my alarms off and nothing is more of a bummer than the heat alarm going off during a gaming session. It's simply unreasonable in this day and age to use anything less than 80+ efficient. You do pay a small premium for the quality of parts to meet the spec but it's well worth it.
Not getting 80+ efficiency in a power supply is like buying a Yugo that gets 12mpg. It's pointless.
L. - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Nice answer, too bad you put "push my systems pretty hard" and "2600k @4.4 Ghz" in the same sentence, it sort of killed the impression ;)7Enigma - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Seriously that box is horrid to look at. I can't imagine their marketing/focus group decided on that design to sell to gamerz.