Hiper Type R 480W (HPU-4M480)

Hiper’s Type R series is positioned as high-wattage and high-quality power supplies for PC enthusiasts or just owners of advanced computer systems. The 480W model is the lowest-wattage PSU in the family.

The PSU’s case is quite originally designed – not only its back panel, but the top and side panels too are perforated. The technical point of this solution evades me, however. The additional perforation is less of an obstruction to the air stream if the power supply just lies on the desk, but in the system case some of the hot air will get back into the computer through the PSU’s side panels, with a negative effect on the cooling. Save from that, the design of this power supply is ordinary. It is cooled with a 12cm fan, is equipped with non-detachable cables, and lacks any manual controls or status indicators.

The internal design is a typical circuit with an active PFC device (it is installed on a separate card fastened on the heatsinks; the card is holed so it is not an obstacle to the airflow) and without independent voltage regulation (such PSUs have three coils on their output, while this model has only two).

The PSU is assembled neatly, not like the HPU-3S350. The components stand upright, and everything is well fitted together. Alas, I can’t but complain at the quality of soldering which varies from normal industrial soldering to very shoddy manual soldering like on the PFC card:

It is rather surprising to see this, considering the overall neat appearance of the PSU.