Antec HCP-750 80 Plus Gold
by Martin Kaffei on October 26, 2011 4:35 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- PSUs
- Antec
- 80Plus Gold
- 750W
- High Current Pro
Conclusion
The Antec HCP-750 is an efficient power supply with generally average equipment . The ripple and noise voltage is low at all loads and performance is great. The total noise of the fan is also satisfying. Where things aren't so great is in the packaging extras. The current market price is influenced by what others traders are charging for similar product, and not surprisingly the cost is going to be quite a bit higher than lesser power supplies.
Compared to the HCP-1200, Delta Eletronics has changed to zero voltage switching (ZVS) by using a separate resonant circuit. However, the phase-shifted full bridge converter is still a part of the topology. This is one of the best circuit designs for a high output power. Antec shows in an impressive way how strongly the components can be miniaturized with higher switching frequencies and four-quadrant operation. This also affects the heatsinks; since the switching losses are reduced to a minimum, other components do not warm up as much. The result is that the HCP-750 has low operating temperatures and a moderately controlled PWM fan. The high-quality capacitors and EMI filtering are well developed, which should also be mentioned. However, Delta continues to use Chinese components in places such as the Y capacitors. The component mix of a large manufacturer is sometimes disadvantageous, which is why Japanese capacitors often perform better.
As shown in our performance section, the HCP-750 reaches nearly 91% efficiency at 230V and 115V input voltages. Especially at low load the efficiency is noteworthy, because 80 Plus Gold requires good values only at 20%, 50%, and 100% loads. The +12V output is well regulated during overload and crossload. The other output voltages are close to the optimal values as well. Fan noise is slightly lower than the results we saw with the HCP-1200, but the difference is not much and the extra 450W of output on the big brother needs to be taken into consideration. While the noise levels may be similar, it's also important to consider the type of noise a PSU generates. There are differences in how a 135mm fan sounds and how an 80mm fan sounds, with the larger fans generally being preferred. Still, for a high-end PSU Antec should use Sanyo Denki fans, since the ADDA model makes some bearing noise. Overall, though, the acoustic noise is not bad for a 750W power supply.
With nine SATA, one FDD, and six Molex connectors, the 750W model is fairly well equipped. It might be better to have the PCIe connectors distributed to multiple cables, at the cost of cable clutter, but the wire cross-section helps make up for this. The 24-pin and the 12V AUX harnesses are 55cm and 65cm long, so the power supply is suitable for most large PC cases. The cable sleeveing is relatively cheap and not opaque, which is a minor point against an otherwise high quality PSU. Another minor complaint is that, apart from the necessary items for installation and a user manual, nothing else is included in the package. The competition often offers a few extras, like some cable ties, and given the target market the lack of any extras is underwhelming.
The current price for the Antec HCP-750 is $140, down from $175 just a few weeks ago. For an 80 Plus Gold power supply with this quality, the price is quite impressive—a quick search at Newegg for instance reveals this to be one of the least expensive 700W-800W 80 Plus Gold/Platinum PSUs. There are other options worth a look of course. For example, the LEPA G-series provides similar quality, using Enermax technology based on their Modu87+ series. The FSP Aurum CM 750W is also very cheap, but it's even louder than the Antec HCP-1200—not good for a 750W PSU—plus the voltage quality is slightly worse. Other alternatives like the be quiet! E9 series and the Cougar GX 700W models are significantly more expensive, but also a little quieter under load or equipped with a well-processed case.
Overall, the Antec HCP-750 provides a good showing that's roughly in line with all the other ~750W 80 Plus Gold products. A few extras could certainly sweeten the deal, but for the price this is an excellent power supply. We can safely recommend the HCP-750 for anyone looking for a higher wattage power supply that will handle overclocking and dual-GPU configurations with aplomb. Users who are more interested in a system that should be used but not heard may find other offerings more compelling, and for those we'd suggest looking at current and upcoming Seasonic or Enermax PSUs as an alternative.
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piroroadkill - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
That said, just to say, this Antec is made by Delta, and some of their new high end designs such as Antec Signature in their new PSU size (120mm rear fan) are also made by Delta, and are some of the highest rated power supplies going.Really, there are so many OEMs in this game under the same brand, you have to learn what you're looking at.
The best site for this, bar none, is jonnyguru.com
Rick83 - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
Sadly you can't even judge a PSU by its OEM.The same OEMs may build to vastly different standards - so even some chinese OEM that's been building firebombs for decades may get a contract to build a high-end PSU, and there's no real reason they wouldn't be able to do it, if they have the work force and know-how - both of which aren't that special in the PSU sector.
In the end, don't buy by names or OEMs or brands or whatever - but look at as many reviews as possible, to verify that in every test the protection circuitry performed and noise was low, as well as the efficiency being the one that's indicated by the 80+ label.
Even then there's a certain risk you end up with a monday's PSU, but odds are mostly in your favor..
buzznut - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
I completely agree with this post. It is just like asking, "Which brand video card do I buy?" The best one available in your price range, do your homework.Each PSU should be taken on its own merits. I always thought Kingwin power supplies look flashy but I would have bet they aren't that great. Then I find out some of the high end ones they've released in the last year are outstanding, from Superflower. I'm speaking in particular about the Gold Series.
piroroadkill - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Platinum, too. Super Flower has a platinum platform.As always, I recommend jonnyguru.com
radium69 - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
I got the platinum one, its awesome by any standards!Stuka87 - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
Antec does not build most of their supplies. They are build by OEM's. My Antec is made by Sea Sonic for instance (great supply).Corsair does not build any of their supplies at all. And they actually use the same manufacturer that Antec uses for some of their supplies.
Sorry you had a supply fail, it can happen with any brand. But saying you hate Antec yet love Corsair is kind of hypocritical. Kind of like saying you hate the Pontiac Vibe yet love the Toyota Matrix, when in fact they are the same car made in the same factory (well, back when they are being made anyway).
zero2dash - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
before I buy another CX series Corsair.I bought 1 for a customer build, a CX500. It has coil whine.
Yes I know coil whine is harmless but that's beside the point. It shouldn't make any noise other than the fan inside of it when it ramps up at a higher load/temp.
Just because I've had a bad experience with a CX doesn't mean I'm not going to continue buying Corsair. I've got an HX850 and a TX650 right now happily chugging along. In the past I had an HX520 and a VX550. The VX550 eventually got killed after about 2 years of use (from Folding@home I suspect), but it was replaced under warranty. I'll still buy Corsairs in the future.
My work rig has an Antec Neo Eco 620. No problems.
Last customer build I put together I was trying to stay on the cheap and I went with the Rosewill Green series S2 620 after seeing the great review on Hardware Secrets. I've had no complaints of problems from my customer yet on that one (and I was leery of that one, being a Rosewill product....even though I knew internally it was an ATNG).
Those points aside - you roll the dice with any psu. I've seen people on various sites/forums with dead Corsair's, Antec's, Enermax's, Silverstone's, etc [enter psu manufacturer here].
geniekid - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
As noted by other posters, Antec and Corsair aren't OEMs. Tom's has a great article listing all power supply sellers and the OEMs behind each line as well as how to figure out which power supply you actually have.http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-o...
I'll also take this opportunity to give Seasonic a thumbs up, based solely on personal experience.
Mr.T - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Oh wow, that Tom's article is really cool; It's nice to who the manufacturer actually is up the production chain.So it seems my PC Power&Cooling PSU was manufactured by Seasonic. Quite happy with that. I'll echo the Seasonic love then, as it's been running strong for 4 years now and it's not going anywhere either (thankfully, 750W is still plenty enough).
Martin Kaffei - Thursday, October 27, 2011 - link
Well, this article uses old information. I already did something like that in 2008 on ComputerBase (in German).Moreover you should know that some brands have a number, even if they are no real manufacturer (In Win e.g.). Today the UL number is unhelpfully. It's better to take a look at my articles. Usually I write something about the real ODM. Just like in this review.