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View Full Version : Enermax Tomahawk PSUs - what are they like?

Agent24
03-20-2010, 08:14 PM
I'm looking at getting a ETK355AST for my old Sempron system

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/925/1 shows the 500 Watt version as being pretty good.

It appears to use Samxon brand capacitors throughout.

I assume the 355 Watt is pretty much the same

Anyone else got more information or opinions on these?
Proximon
03-20-2010, 08:49 PM
Why not a more trusted part like Corsair 400CX or Antec EA380?
Agent24
03-20-2010, 09:12 PM
Enermax is $30 cheaper than the Corsair, and the Antec only has an 80mm fan which I am trying to avoid

Note this is in NZD going by www.pricespy.co.nz
Zero82z
03-20-2010, 09:17 PM
The 500W version is a CWT DSA from the looks of it. Not sure about the one you're looking at. I would go with the EA380 instead to be on the safe side. In a Sempron system, the 80mm fan shouldn't be a concern.
Agent24
03-20-2010, 09:30 PM
This picture (http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/fullimage.php?image=22955) shows writing detailing fuse ratings for 500-450watt and 400-300watt versions.

I am guessing then that the 355 watt is the same design, but with lower powered parts.
Zero82z
03-20-2010, 09:33 PM
The 355W is an older design from the pictures I found. It lacks APFC, which means it uses an older CWT platform.
Agent24
03-20-2010, 09:43 PM
Where are these pictures you speak of?
Zero82z
03-20-2010, 09:46 PM
Newegg product page.
Agent24
03-20-2010, 10:28 PM
Does look a bit different doesn't it...
Zero82z
03-21-2010, 12:31 AM
More than a bit. The DSA platform that the unit Gabe reviewed uses is a fairly new platform, and as far as I know there is no non-APFC version. I wouldn't go for the 355W Enermax.
Travis
03-21-2010, 01:36 AM
I remember the non-APFC version is PUF platform from CWT. Not that old but not worth choosing either.
Agent24
03-21-2010, 02:10 AM
Any particular reason why it's not worth choosing the PUF series?

Is it likely to blow up like a Deer?
Travis
03-21-2010, 09:20 AM
It's a new but cheapest design. Among cheap platforms, the mature one is the better. As far as I know the APFC version called "PUFP" isn't reliable.
Agent24
03-21-2010, 10:02 PM
What do you mean by not reliable? Does it break?
Travis
03-22-2010, 10:41 AM
Die after several months of service.
Agent24
03-22-2010, 03:54 PM
Why would Enermax put a 3 year warranty on it if it breaks in months? Doesn't make sense to me.

Do you know what fails? Capacitors?
Agent24
04-10-2010, 11:31 PM
Anyone?
dangman4ever
04-11-2010, 01:01 AM
Why would Enermax put a 3 year warranty on it if it breaks in months? Doesn't make sense to me.

Do you know what fails? Capacitors?

Standard warranty for Enermax is 3 years. Plus it gives people piece of mind knowing that they have a "warranty".

AFAIK, the PSU just dies. Like not much is fixable or preventable.

Either way, not a good idea to get the 355W Enermax or any PSU based on the PUFP
Agent24
04-14-2010, 06:27 PM
I gave up on this idea and bought the Corsair CMPSU-400CX instead :)

Hopefully it will be good
HangFire
04-16-2010, 06:08 PM
I gave up on this idea and bought the Corsair CMPSU-400CX instead :)

Hopefully it will be good

I've been using mine for 2 weeks without trouble... how's that for a recommendation?

That after pulling 45A off of the +5V rail for 15 seconds.

-HF
Agent24
04-16-2010, 08:41 PM
I've been using mine for 2 weeks without trouble... how's that for a recommendation?

:p Mine's been running for about 3 days now, seems good
Agent24
06-17-2010, 08:24 PM
I also found this review http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-Purepower-500-W-Power-Supply-Review/990/1 which shows the 405 Watt model in detail.

Interesting if anyone wanted to know what these looked like on the inside, and that Thermaltake is still lying about their ratings. Enermax is probably lying too, if you buy a 405 Watt Tomahawk... :(

I'm actually quite glad I didn't buy it now after reading that! :lol:

The Corsair is still going fine ;)
shinji2k
06-17-2010, 08:35 PM
To Enermax's credit the Tomahawk is based on the DSA which is a better design than the PUF Thermaltake is using for that Purepower.
burebista
07-03-2010, 05:01 AM
I dunno if it's the same Tomahawk but here we have Enermax Cyclops 405 (84% ready, specs tested at 40°C, 25A on +12V, AirGuard, HeatGuard, SafeGuard: OCP, OVP, OPP, SCP, passive PFC).
A guy did a photo session (http://picasaweb.google.com/105758794855234422435/EnermaxECS405AGT405W?feat=directlink#) with it.
It looks sooo skinny...
Spectre
07-03-2010, 05:25 AM
I have wondered if Enermax makes their own units why they are rebadging CWT units.....wonder if Joe will answer.
muddocktor
07-03-2010, 05:31 AM
I have wondered if Enermax makes their own units why they are rebadging CWT units.....wonder if Joe will answer.

Could be they don't have the manufacturing capacity in-house to build them presently and with the lower profit margins on these smaller units, it might not be worth it to them monetarily to expand their manufacturing capacity.
Spectre
07-03-2010, 05:35 AM
Could be they don't have the manufacturing capacity in-house to build them presently and with the lower profit margins on these smaller units, it might not be worth it to them monetarily to expand their manufacturing capacity.

Could be. Enermax's volume is really low compared to the big OEM's with just what GrowUpJapan and Sapphire as customers. On the flipside they supposedly build units in capacity down to 500W......so using a third party's designs when you have designs already at just about that power level seems odd.
Zero82z
07-03-2010, 05:49 AM
Could be that CWT's designs are just much cheaper to manufacture when it comes to such low-wattage units. That PSU certainly looks more anemic than typical Enermax units (though it can probably handle 400W fine since that doesn't take much anyway).
Spectre
07-03-2010, 05:58 AM
Could be that CWT's designs are just much cheaper to manufacture when it comes to such low-wattage units. That PSU certainly looks more anemic than typical Enermax units (though it can probably handle 400W fine since that doesn't take much anyway).

Of course they wouldn't be paying more for something that they could make themselves. That is obvious.
Travis
07-03-2010, 06:09 AM
405W is the upper limit of PUF/PUFP design... something might go out of ATX spec at full load, could be ripple, could be voltage or crossloading.

Enermax don't like low margin, but in markets like Asia, East Europe and South America, they have to provide budget products. A relatively higher internal defect rate leads to higher cost, which means margin can be unacceptable. It's reasonable to outsource the entry-level products to a cheap OEM to make profit, even if they own a factory.
370forlife
07-03-2010, 07:57 AM
Could be that CWT's designs are just much cheaper to manufacture when it comes to such low-wattage units. That PSU certainly looks more anemic than typical Enermax units (though it can probably handle 400W fine since that doesn't take much anyway).

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Thermaltake-Purepower-500-W-Power-Supply-Review/990/7

That one sure didn't. Though that one dosen't have APFC, it looks basically the same.
GI_Joe
07-04-2010, 02:50 PM
Enermax don't like low margin, but in markets like Asia, East Europe and South America, they have to provide budget products. It's reasonable to outsource the entry-level products to a cheap OEM to make profit, even if they own a factory.

true.
MrWicked1968
07-05-2010, 12:43 AM
I have wondered if Enermax makes their own units why they are rebadging CWT units.....wonder if Joe will answer.

probably for the same reason that Chevy takes a Daewoo, slaps a few bowtie logos on it, and markets it toward unsuspecting consumers who think they're buying something decent with their money.
Spectre
07-05-2010, 02:54 AM
probably for the same reason that Chevy takes a Daewoo, slaps a few bowtie logos on it, and markets it toward unsuspecting consumers who think they're buying something decent with their money.

Because you think CWT is a subsidiary of Enermax :confused:
Stefan Payne
07-05-2010, 02:59 AM
No but sometimes it's cheaper to buy something from someone than to make it yourself...
Spectre
07-05-2010, 03:01 AM
No but sometimes it's cheaper to buy something from someone than to make it yourself...

Really? I am shocked. Shocked I tell you :rolleyes:
jonnyGURU
07-05-2010, 03:03 AM
probably for the same reason that Chevy takes a Daewoo, slaps a few bowtie logos on it, and markets it toward unsuspecting consumers who think they're buying something decent with their money.

Didn't Suzuki do the same thing these last few years? ;)

Because you think CWT is a subsidiary of Enermax :confused:

Ah yes... good ol' GM. Buy up successful companies like Daewoo, Saab and Opel then mismanage them until they're so FUBAR, all you can do is shut them down or find a buyer.
Travis
07-05-2010, 03:37 AM
good ol' GM. Buy up successful companies like Daewoo

No Daewoo was in poor condition when GM bought it.
jonnyGURU
07-05-2010, 06:52 AM
No Daewoo was in poor condition when GM bought it.

I suppose that's true. Daewoo's history has been quite mixed, but when GM bought most of Daewoo, yeah.. they got them on the cheap due to the bankruptcy after the Asian financial crisis. They used to be huge, though.
Stefan Payne
07-05-2010, 07:19 AM
Didn't Suzuki do the same thing these last few years? ;)
Or Subaru who sold Suzuki Swifts as Justys.
Now they sell Daihatsus (thx to their new part time owner, Toyota)...
jonnyGURU
07-05-2010, 08:32 AM
Or Subaru who sold Suzuki Swifts as Justys.
Now they sell Daihatsus (thx to their new part time owner, Toyota)...

Only in Europe though. We haven't seen Justys here in the states since they were actually Subarus (1994). Probably because rebadged Suzukis and Daihatsu's, etc. have shown up over here under different badges like the Geo Metro.