X-bit labs

ATX Power Supply Units Roundup. Part VIII (page 15)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 12/11/2007 | 10:04 AM ]

Tsunami Hercules AX400-PN (350W)

Although the number in the model name is bigger by 100 than the number in the previous model’s name, the difference in wattage is only 50 watts. The AX400-PN is a 350W power supply. The number 400 is written on its label, too, but it is the peak output power. In other words, you must not put a load of 400W on this PSU for longer than 1 minute.

The exterior is quite explicit about the actual manufacturer of the PSU. It belongs to FSP Group’s ATX12V 2.0 series and is cooled with one 120mm fan.

The interior design proves my point. The Hercules AX400-PN is based on the FSP ATX-350PN (note that FSP declares the continuous output power while Tsunami, the peak one). It is an ATX12V 2.0 power supply without PFC (a passive PFC device is installed into the ATX-350PNF model, and active PFC is not provided in this series at all) and with joint regulation of voltages.

This PSU is not a simplified version of something. It’s got a wire fan grid, slightly larger heatsinks and a twice higher capacitance of the high-voltage capacitors in comparison with the above-discussed A300M-C.

The PSU can yield a maximum continuous output power of 350W, and 300W (25A) of it can be delivered through the +12V rail divided into two virtual output lines.

The PSU is equipped with the following cables and connectors:

• Mainboard cable with a 20+4 connector (31cm long)
• CPU cable with a 4-pin connector (32cm)
• Graphics card cable with a 6-pin connector (32cm)
• One cable with two Molex connectors and one mini-plug for a floppy drive (27+15+15cm)
• One cable with two Molex connectors (27+13cm)
• One cable with two SATA power connectors (27+19cm)

The cables are tied up with nylon straps.

Again, the short length of the cables is the main drawback of the PSU. It may be insufficient for a full-size system case.