Ultra X-Finity 500 Watt and Overclocking

[Geezerman]

Hello. New member here.
I have enjoyed using a Ultra X-Finity 500 watt power supply in a general use computer. Now, I would like to know any thoughts on using it in a overclocked PC. I'll be using a MSI 7125 board, Opteron 165, 1 dvd burner, 1 320GB SATA, 7600GT video, creative xtrememusic sound card. No wild gaming. In another forum, one member said the voltages were not stable enough with it. This will finally be my first overclock experience. :D
Thanks..

[jonnyGURU]

I would start by asking for details of the experiences the member at the other forum has had with that particular power supply. ;) Did they have one that they know was the cause of a failed overclock attempt or are they assuming there's going to be a problem because the product says "Ultra" and not "OCZ" ;)

The X-Finity 500W isn't going to hold back your ability to overclock. The ripple is minimal and the regulation really isn't all too bad.

At the very least, you try it, if you think your OC results aren't desirable and think it may be because of the power supply, then you replace it. You don't replace a part because someone else assumes that your components aren't "stable enough."

I used the same unit for about a year to run an overclocked Athlon64 3200+ and a pair of 6800GT's. Never a problem. But results may vary. ;)

[Geezerman]

Thanks Mr. Guru. I did not want it exploding into a toxic mess and taking out some parts with it...can't beat the price at least, 9.00 after rebate.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I have one of those Antec Trio PS coming in. The 650 watt. I could use that as well. That should be massive overkill for my setup, but maybe a good stable supply...

[jonnyGURU]

Thanks Mr. Guru. I did not want it exploding into a toxic mess and taking out some parts with it...can't beat the price at least, 9.00 after rebate.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. I have one of those Antec Trio PS coming in. The 650 watt. I could use that as well. That should be massive overkill for my setup, but maybe a good stable supply...

Not so sure about that. When I overload an X-Finity 500W, it shuts down. Cycle the power with the switch on the back and it's back up and running again. When I overload a Trio 650W, the internal fuse blows and the only way to get it up and running again is to RMA it for another one or open it up, voiding the warranty, and desoldering the fuse from the PCB (because the fuse is soldered to the board. Heaven forbid you make it so it just pops out of the holder.)

But to each their own. ;)

[Geezerman]

That's interesting, in not so good of a way. Looks like a 9.00 power supply may have some advantages over a 120.00 power supply, and that's interesting in a good way.

[jonnyGURU]

Reference:

X-Finity 600W: http://jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=34

Same as 500W, but with more 12V output, which potentially generates more heat, and therefore requires the two 80MM fans. Can be used as reference for 500W build quality.

Trio 650W: http://www.jonnyguru.com/review_details.php?id=12

Pretty good voltage regulation and efficient. Couldn't do 650W though. Even after third sample. Ugly too (gray, no sleeved cables.) Build quality isn't really up to what I would personally like. If I want a Seasonic build for it's efficiency and good voltage regulation, I'll buy a Corsair, Seasonic or PCP&C Silencer. If I want a cheap PSU that's more efficient than others in it's price range, I'll buy an Enhance or Silverstone.

[Geezerman]

I think the newer X-Finity 550 watt have Active PFC. That's a definite plus

[jonnyGURU]

That's interesting, in not so good of a way. Looks like a 9.00 power supply may have some advantages over a 120.00 power supply, and that's interesting in a good way.

That's not really your perspective, is it?

It's a $9.00 power supply because of a rebate. Not saying that it is your perspective, but if it is.. I mean no offense, but all of the time I hear people say, "you get what you pay for" or "it can't be much of a product if they can sell it for only $9," etc. and quite frankly people that think that a PSU that's $9.00 after a MIR is just a $9.00 PSU is just plain ignorant. I've worked wholesale, retail and at the manufacturer level and believe me... nobody's losing money, but product aint that cheap.

The way rebates work is companies use them to get their numbers up. They'll often offer a rebate to a reseller on what could be considered a loss leader in order to get a larger order. Sometimes, these items will be sold at a higher price, but the reseller will still buy at the higher price knowing that they'll sell at a greater volume because of the rebate.

For example: Let's say Fly's normally buys a particular PSU for $50 to sell for $79. Let's say the next month, the company that sells that PSU to Fly's needs to see bigger numbers from that vendor. So they ask them to also carry their case or their hard drive enclosure.. X number of units... whatever. Well... buyers and sellers wheel to deal and often times the icing on the cake is a rebate. Let's say the offer is put on the table to take 5000 of the cases and 5000 of the drive enclosures, but the buyer wants something to bring people into the store. So he asks for a $9 after MIR on 5000 units of an already popular PSU. So the seller sets up a $70 rebate on the product, but jacks the price up on the unit to $60 each. The deal is done.

As Joe Customer, you can look at that as a $51 net loss on each unit, but the thing Joe Customer doesn't consider is that they're making up for that $51 per unit on the cases and drive enclosures and that redemption on ANY rebate isn't 100%. It's usually 75% at best and that's only on a net to zero. The lower the percentage off the customer gets, the lower the redemption rate. Face it... people forget to send in rebates on time. They forget UPC codes. They don't always get the rebates in.

But even if the manufacture cost on a $9 after MIR power supply is $40, it all works out in the wash. ;)

EDIT: Here's a good example...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817171013&ATT=17-171-013&CMP=OTC-Froogle

$84.99. $54.99 after MIR.

Everyone else sells this PSU for $79. My guess is that cost is normally about $60. They probably charged Newegg an extra $5 because of the rebate. On the same order as that PSU, Newegg probably also ordered an assload of Cooler Master CPU coolers and a pallet of cases at regular price. Because the rebate is "only" $30, I bet redemption is only going to be about 30 to 40%. Hell... I bet Cooler Master actually ends up making more money than usual on that deal. :D

[jonnyGURU]

I think the newer X-Finity 550 watt have Active PFC. That's a definite plus

There is no X-Finity 550W.

There's a 500W APFC X-Finity. Kind of a neat unit because it's in an aluminum housing and has a 135MM fan. Not sure if you'll see that for $9 after MIR. ;)

If you do, let me know. :D

[Geezerman]

Oh Lordy no. I don't really look at it that way. I know thei rperspective, as you so aptly point out. It's a loss here and a profit there. Like eggs at the grocery store. They are a loss for most stores. If all you purchased was sale items, there would be less sales. I always buy on clearance or rebate. I got my first Ultra X-Finity for 6.00 after rebate, and I did get the rebate after 9 weeks. Now, I'll get the 2nd rebate in probably 3 months. Everything I purchased that day ay Fry's had a rebate. Nothing at full cost. They love me, I know. My rebate success is very high.

[Geezerman]

What's interesting about the Fry's Ultra X-Finity 500 watt they had on for 60.00 plus a 60.00 rebate is the part number is ULT40038 above the bar code. According to the Ultra web page, it is not a live part number, just added for rebate purposes. So the boxes were unique for the Fry's deal?. I wonder if there is any design differences inside the power supply. Like a cheaper design some how. I'm usually thinking of all the angles....Could be just a old part number I guess.

[jonnyGURU]

Oh Lordy no. I don't really look at it that way. I know thei rperspective, as you so aptly point out. It's a loss here and a profit there. Like eggs at the grocery store. They are a loss for most stores. If all you purchased was sale items, there would be less sales. I always buy on clearance or rebate. I got my first Ultra X-Finity for 6.00 after rebate, and I did get the rebate after 9 weeks. Now, I'll get the 2nd rebate in probably 3 months. Everything I purchased that day ay Fry's had a rebate. Nothing at full cost. They love me, I know. My rebate success is very high.

Yep. It's all checks and balances.

I personally don't fall for it. That's why I don't shop at Wal-mart. Save $5 on a DVD so I can spend $10 more on a toy and $5 more on an off brand, Chinese made shirt? No thanks.

Coupons are similar. They try to hook you into buying things that you wouldn't normally buy. $1.00 off a grocery item is a big deal. But I've got them figured out. ;) I only clip coupons for items I would normally buy.. and you better believe I CLIP EVERY ONE OF THEM!!! :D

What's interesting about the Fry's Ultra X-Finity 500 watt they had on for 60.00 plus a 60.00 rebate is the part number is ULT40038 above the bar code. According to the Ultra web page, it is not a live part number, just added for rebate purposes. So the boxes were unique for the Fry's deal?. I wonder if there is any design differences inside the power supply. Like a cheaper design some how. I'm usually thinking of all the angles....Could be just a old part number I guess.

Actually, Ultra part numbers go up. Higher number, newer product. Tried to get an explaination on the different UPC on the X-Finity myself, but never got a straight answer.

I do know about the (non-APFC) X-Connects with the different part numbers though! ULT31XXX are built by Youngyear. ULT33XXX are Wintech! :D Go for the ULT33XXX if you can find them. ;)

[Tazz]

I have had no problems overclocking with an X-Finity or an X2.

[Geezerman]

Is it mainly poor quality caps that cause problems? Perhaps a simple cap install might help some power supplies.

[Geezerman]

I have had no problems overclocking with an X-Finity or an X2.

Hey thanks. I feel better about using it now that you guys have had personal experience using it