Seasonic is no stranger to the power supply market, winning over many enthusiasts with their efficient and low noise S12 series. They're also no stranger to HardwareLogic, as we've previously reviewed the Super Versatile 250w SFX and the 330w S12-330, both of which are suitable for small form factor cases and modest system components. Today we're switching gears and will be taking look at not only a higher end model, but Seasonic's first foray into the modular market.
Features
- Quad +12V Rails
- Complies with the Latest ATX12V & EPS12V
- Supports PR Presscott & Athlon 64/64 FX
- MTBF> 100,000 hours @25C
- Active PFC
- Suports Serial ATA interface
- Short Circuit Protection
- Over Voltage Protection
- Over Power Protection
- RoHS Compliant
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DC Output:
|
+3.3V |
+5V |
+12V1 |
+12V2 |
+12V3 |
+12V4 |
-12V |
+5Vsb |
|
24A |
30A |
18A |
18A |
18A |
18A |
.8A |
3A |
|
170W |
38A |
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Multiple +12V rails are quickly becoming a staple in high end power supplies, and not without good reason. With dual videocard setups, multiple core processors, and a wealth of other power hungry components, the demands placed on the +12V rail are steadily increasing. This creates a problem in terms of supplying 'clean' power when various components draw off the same line at the same time. Having multiple rails combats this issue and helps allow a steady voltage as opposed to one that jumps around.
Seasonic's M12-500 ships with a total of FOUR +12V rails, each capable of delivering up to 18A. Astute readers will notice that the total amps across the +12V lines is listed as 38A, but shouldn't it be 72A when added together? Seems logical enough, but we don't come up with a total by simple adding each rail. What those numbers tell us is that each +12V rail can deliver up to 18A - no single rail can exceed that number, and the total amps across the entire +12V spectrum cannot exceed 38A. Savvy?
Opening up the retail box reveals the 500w modular power supply (600w and 700w flavors will also be available), the cables, a power cord, bag of screws, a 'Powered by Seasonic' case sticker, M12 product pamphlet, S12 product pamphlet, instruction manual, and a detailed warranty card. Also included on the inside flap of the retail box is a sticker proclaiming "Thank you for choosing Seasonic power supply. We appreciate you and value the opportunity to serve you." Color us blushed!
Every cable comes neatly sleeved in flexible black loom from top to bottom, the only exception being the length of cable in between the SATA connectors. And speaking of connectors, there's enough here to keep the computer upgrade credit card maxed out with new component purchases for quite some time.
|
Cable Type |
Connectors |
Configuration |
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20+4 pin Main Power |
1 |
Attached |
|
4-pin ATX12V |
1 |
Attached |
|
8-pin EPS12VEP |
1 |
Attached |
|
4-pin FDD |
1 cable, 2 connectors |
Molex |
|
4-pin Molex |
4 cables, 10 connectors (2+2+3+3) |
Modular |
|
SATA |
3 cables, 8 connectors (2+2+4) |
Modular |
|
6-pin PCI-Express |
2 cables |
Modular |
Rather than relying on a reflective mirror finish and flashy LEDs, the M12-500's takes a more subtle approach. The all black finish in a small footprint lends itself to a refined sex appeal.
Accenting the back of the unit is a honeycomb grill with the Seasonic name and logo engraved into the casing. The grill provides a peek inside, and more importantly serves as ventilation for the internal components.
Adorning the bottom sits a large 120mm fan with a steel grill. The opening takes up almost the entire length and width of the casing, ensuring plenty of airflow is able to circulate throughout the power supply.
On the front of the unit, up to five of the seven available modular cables can be plugged in, and two additional inputs for the PCI-E cables supporting SLI and Crossfire setups.
One of the tell-tale signs of a good power supply is the weight of the unit. While not a definitive measurement, quality PSUs tend to weigh more than their less reliable light-weight brethren. A high quality power supply eschews skimping on internal components in favor of beefier capacitors and larger heatsinks, both of which are seen in the Seasonic M12-500 when we voided the warranty to take a look inside (hey dear reader, you're worth it!). And in a cornucopia of buzzwords, Seasonic also boasts dual magnetic amplifiers for increased stability among voltages and a double forward converter design for higher efficiency. Wikipedia, here we come!
Pulling full time cooling duties, Seasonic outfitted the M12-500 with a 120mm ADDA brushless ball bearing fan. We love that this fan does its job quietly, so quiet in fact that we had to put our ear right up to the unit to hear it running! For additional cooling duties, there's a 60mm temperature activated fan on the back that "rotates only when required." Our test unit never got hot enough for the supplemental fan to kick in.
Testbed
Our testbed today consists of the following heat releasing, power drawing components housed in a Lian-Li PC-777B chassis:
When testing a power supply, we focus our attention on the +3.3V, +5V, and +12V rails. The ATX specification allows a 5% variance in either direction, but the closer these rails stay to their voltage rating, the better. Equally important, if not more so, is whether or not these rails remain stable or have a tendency to jump around. For example, we'd much rather have a power supply whose +12V rail remains at a constant 11.90V (well within the 5% variance allowed) over one that measures +12V on the noise but repeatedly fluctuates.
To test the M12-500, we'll measure idle and load voltages at our 4400+ X2's stock 2.2GHz and 1.36 vCore, and then retest when overclocked to 2.6GHz and a 1.57 vCore - in essence, a juiced up FX-60. All testing will be performed with a multimeter using our very own Jonathan Ng's PSU Testing Guide as a reference.
Seasonic impresses, with each rail registering just above their rated voltage and refusing to budge more than fraction when under load. On our respectable stock system, we are unable to make this unit break a sweat.
After ramping up the clockspeed and increasing the vCore to an uncomfortable 1.57V, we're still unable to cause the Seasonic to flinch. Putting the system under load, we could only manage up to a .02V variance!
Warranty And Support
The included warranty card outlines Seasonic's 3-year warranty complete with fax number, RMA email address, and the online RMA web address. Their easily navigable website also contains an FAQ page and a contact page with phone numbers and email addresses.
| Segment |
Score |
Comments |
| Feature-set |
9/10 |
- Quad +12V rails, active PFC, Nippon Chemi-Con capacitors, easy swap connectors - you name it, the M12-500 has it. The only thing missing is official SLI and Crossfire certification, which we expect to see at or soon after debut. And I suppose adjustable pots would be a nice addition, if not only academic on a unit that refused to budge.
|
| Cables and Connections |
20/20 |
- Every connection conceivable is present and accounted for, and in abundance. And even the harshest of critics can't bemoan the lack of two more PCI-E cables/connections for quad-SLI, as running four videocards on a 500w unit would be as silly as a peanut butter and turkey sandwich on raisen bread. Our only gripe, albeit a minor one, is that not all cables can be plugged in at the same time.
|
| Power |
19/20 |
- With 1KW behemoths starting to rear their heads, it's tough to get too excited over a 500w power supply. At the same time, it'd be unfair to knock a reliable 500w unit that's powerful enough to run most high end rigs. And for those with particularly demanding wattage requirements, Seasonic will also offer the M12 in 600w and 700w form.
|
| Performance |
20/20 |
- We don't give out perfect scores in categories lightly, but we also won't hold out when it's deserved. Plain and simple, the M12-500 earned it...again. All rails remained well within the 5% variance as set forth by the ATX specification, and none of them dropped below their rated voltage...ever. In fact, the rails barely moved whether at stock or while overclocked, at idle or at load.
|
| Cooling and Noise |
10/10 |
- Another ace, the Seasonic remained cool and quiet thanks to a large 120mm fan courtesy of ADDA. And should the temperature dictate, there's a 60mm fan waiting in the wings.
|
| Warranty and Support |
9/10 |
- Seasonic's support options are easy to navigate and the included warranty card is filled with useful information in the event that a unit should go bad within the 3-year warranty period.
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| Price / Value |
8/10 |
- The M12-500 carries an MSRP of $144.99, with the 600w and 700w versions flaunting $179.99 and $214.99 price tags respectively. That's a bit high for a 500w unit even when factoring in street pricing, but a bit easier to swallow when considering all you get in terms of features and peformance
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Our Recommendation
Whenever a company ventures into new territory, there's always a question of whether they'll get it right or go through some initial growing pains. While power supplies are certainly nothing new for Seasonic, up to this point they have not offered a modular solution. Adding to the pressure are the expectations created by the stellar S12 series. Well, Seasonic's first foray into the modular PSU market can be described as nothing less than a resounding success. Trying to get the rails to budge is like trying to move a mountain, only a mountain is likely to make more noise than our test unit did.
Recommending the M12-500 is a no brainer. Stable, quiet, and packed with features, the new M12 series from Seasonic sets a new bar for modular power supplies.
