Antec Truepower 750W New Series Review

1. Introduction2. Antec TP-750 TruePower New3. Inside the Antec TruePower 750W4. Testing Methodology & Results5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

Antec are one of the industries most respected companies, especially when the topic of quality power supplies is raised. Earlier this year they released the new TruePower series which replaced the older Truepower Trio and NeoPower lines. This new lineup not only brings new technology to market but streamlines the range into a focused, cohesive platform.

There are four new models in the range, the TP550, the TP650, TP750 and TP-750 Blue. The TP-750 Blue is technically the same unit as the TP 750 but with blue LED lighting. All of these power supplies are 80 Plus Bronze certified.

Interestingly, the TruePower New range of power supplies include features taken from the high end Signature series – PWM fan speed control, DC to DC converters and highest quality Japanese capacitors.

The TruePower New series aims to bring a balanced mixture of efficiency, quality and reliability to the end user. We also like the fact that they are using a 120mm Pulse Modulation (PWM) fan which runs up to 50% quieter than standard voltage controlled fans.

Model	Antec TruePower TP-750
Output	750W Continuous output at 50c
Certification	80 Plus Bronze certified
Fan	120mm PWM model – quiet
Management	Hybrid cable management
Capacitors	Japanese High Quality – long term reliability
PCB	Dual Layer PCB
Graphics card support	Dual GPU and dual/quad core CPUs 2 x 6 pin and 2 x 8 (6+2) pin PCI-E graphics card connectors
Compliance	ATX12V v2.3 and EPS12CV v2.91 compliant
Safety Approvals	UL, CUL, CE, CB, FCC Class B, TUV, C-tick, CCC
Warranty	5 Year parts and labour coverage
Weight	2.3 kg
Dimensions	3.4″ (H) x 5.9″ (W) x 5.9″ (D) 86mm (H) x 150mm (W) x 150mm (D)

The box is an attractive design with a high quality photograph of the unit with detailed information on the specifications. Antec are proud of this range – in their own words “New features. Same True power. The TruePower New series by Antec offers users an advanced power supply solution, striking the perfect balance of reliability, efficiency and quality. With DC to DC voltage regulator modules, a 120mm Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) fan, and 80 PLUS Bronze certification, the TP-750 is the ideal solution for elite system builders and quality minded enthusiasts alike”.

They supply a handy reference leaflet detailing the connectors and specifications. Most importantly they list 82% efficiency at minimum, full load.

The internal PSU package could be mistaken for a box of eggs on initial glance. It does offer good protection during shipping however.

There are a plethora of cables on offer.

Connector	Antec TruePower TP-750
ATX Connector (540mm)	24 pin	12VI
5.25″ Drive (540mm+150mm+150mm)	3
3.5″ Drive connectors (+150mm)	1
SATA (540mm+150mm+150mm)	3
8 Pin EPS12V (540mm)	1	12V2
4 pin ATX12V (540mm)	1
6+2 pin PCIe (570mm)	2	12V3/12V4
Modular Cables
5.25″ Drive (560mm+150mm+150mm)	6	12V1
SATA (550mm+150mm+150mm)	6
6 pin PCIe (560mm)	2	12V3/V4

The Antec TruePower 750W PSU is subtle and attractive with a simple sticker detailing the output specifications.

The 120mm fan takes centerstage at the top of the PSU. This is a Pulse Modulation fan which helps to lower noise levels.

The rear of the PSU is home to the modular connectors, which are colour coded – the red 8 pin sockets are used for additional PCI-E cables and the black sockets are used for peripherals. Each of the four 12V rails are rated at 25A each which is a considerable level of power, especially for a 750W PSU.

A few shots from various angles. I like the design, its nicely understated.

Cracking the case open is simple, just remove a few screws – please be aware if you do this at home you invalidate your warranty, so we don't recommend you copy these steps.

The fan is a Brushless unit from Adda – taking 0.37A.

At the far left side we can see a daughtercard – this is home to the AC transient filter. One X capacitor, four Y capacitors and a single coil. Soldering seems to be of a reasonably high standard throughout.

All capacitors in the unit are Nippon-Chemicon.

This is a Seasonic built product and we noticed the VRM module is very similar to the Seasonic M12D 750W PSU.

The sleeving is well implemented, going into the unit which helps stop any damage to the cabling against the grommet.

The unit incorporates two GBU806's which act as bridge rectifiers. These are beside several large choke coils with a single high quailty Nippon Chemi-Con capacitor (560uF, 400V and 85°C) positioned behind the primary heatsink.

A clear plastic ‘wall' helps to stop the components touching the outer chassis.

The unit uses DC to DC converters to deliver +3.3V and +5v from the primary 12V area.

Additional technical assistance: Peter McFarland and Jeremy Price.

Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Over the coming months this configuration is likely to be adjusted further and fine tuned.

We use combinations of the following hardware:
•  SunMoon SM-268
•  CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
•  CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
•    Extech Power Analyzer
•    Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
•    Extech digital sound level meter
•    Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
•    Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
75W	1.20	3.35	1.16	5.08	0.2	-11.71	0.5	5.05
150W	2.17	3.38	2.75	5.08	0.3	-11.69	1.0	5.02
375W	6.04	3.35	5.86	5.08	0.5	-11.76	1.5	4.98
565W	10.05	3.33	10.65	4.99	0.6	-11.85	2.0	4.97
750W	10.45	3.31	13.55	4.98	0.8	-11.85	3.0	4.88

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+12V1		+12V2		+12V3		+12V4
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
75W	1.25	12.17	1.25	12.12	1.23	12.11	1.24	12.11
150W	2.49	12.12	2.49	12.05	2.48	12.10	2.48	12.11
375W	6.47	12.08	6.53	11.95	6.47	12.07	6.49	12.01
565W	9.65	11.92	9.68	11.82	9.58	11.92	9.65	11.93
750W	13.20	11.86	13.27	11.78	13.19	11.87	13.25	11.82

The Antec 750W psu is able to deliver solid load regulation on all of the outputs throughout our varied load tests – even when fully loaded, which would be outside normal parameters for the average punter. We were impressed with the primary rail results as well as they fall close to reference results.

Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.

Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
725W	1.0	3.36	1.0	5.07	60.0	11.75	0.2	-12.00	0.5	4.96
200W	17.8	3.29	20.0	4.91	2.0	12.18	0.2	-11.88	0.5	4.94

As we had expected the TruePower PSU has no problems with the cross loading stress testing which is helped by the fact it creates the +3.3V and +5V feed using DC to DC converters. All the readings are well within specification and we were happy with the end result.

We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum.

ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.

ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
Output	Ripple (mV p-p)
+3.3V	50
+5V	50
+12V1	120
+12V2	120
-12V	120
+5VSB	50

Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the Antec unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12V1	+12V2	+12V3	+12V4	5VSB
75W	10	10	10	10	10	10	15
150W	15	15	15	15	15	15	15
380W	15	15	10	10	10	10	10
565W	15	20	20	20	20	20	20
750W	25	20	24	25	25	20	20

Again we are more than happy with these results as the ripple suppression is top drawer on all the outputs.

Efficiency (%)
100w	82.1
200w	87.3
400w	88.5
575w	87.5
750w	86.2

The 750W Antec TruePower is clearly a very efficient PSU. The unit peaked at 88.5% around 400W and we never saw it dropping under 80w, even with a minor load of 100W.

Noise (dBA)
100w	28.5
200w	28.8
400w	29.1
575w	32.1
750w	35.2

The noise levels are excellent with the supply being virtually inaudible below 500w. Once 550w load is reached then the fan starts to speed up and it becomes an audible whisper. At full load the noise levels are clearly heard but it never becomes annoying.

Exhaust Temperature (c)
100w	25.2
200w	25.9
400w	28.5
575w	36.6
750w	44.1

This is a very cool running PSU even when loaded at 450W. Over 500W the temperatures start to rise although they are still very good. A full load result of 44.1c is excellent and is one of the better results we have recorded.

As our testing has proven today, Antec are onto another winner with a cool running, efficient and high performing power supply for the discerning enthusiast.

Voltage regulation and efficiency are two of the key selling points for the Antec TruePower 750W PSU and the end result is that you can never tell if the PSU is actually on or not, it is that quiet.

Antec also supply a plethora of cables which will cater for a broad cross section of the enthusiast audience – we also tested the system, real world with an Intel 980x Intel CPU at 4.2ghz with two 5870's in Crossfire X and it still managed to remain quiet. The four +12V outputs can deliver up to 62A combined load. This impressed me, especially as right now the supply is retailing in the UK for around £100 inc vat.

The fact we can't find any faults is praise enough and when you combine this with a 5 year warranty this should most certainly be at the top of your shortlist, it would be my number one choice right now in this specific sector.

Kit Guru says: Clean, efficient, quiet and capable of powering high drain gaming systems with ease. Backed up with a 5 year warranty. Highly recommended.

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