COOLER MASTER REAL POWER 450 (RS-450-ACLY)

Author: Jani 'Japala' Pönkkö Published: 21.07.2004 Manufacturer: Cooler Master Product group: PSU

Specs

Label

Specifications:

Active PFC (power factor correction) provides a stable operation while the Hold Up Time of 17ms ensures that small troubles with mains voltage won't boot the unit so easily. This model also provides auto ranging for the mains voltage so you can hook it up to either 115v or 230v systems without need to remember to set the voltage selection switch. Cooler Master uses current values of normal operation rather than peak values to calculate the wattages so you should get what is printed on the label. This is not the case with many other manufacturer who rely only for those short term peak values thus fooling the user. Label also indicates that the unit have two separate 12 volt buses for high power usage.

Unit

Painted

Unit itself is painted with shiny finish. Yes, the unit will be installed inside the case and not that many case have a window next to the PSU. That doesn't mean that the unit can't be stylish. We people are funny creatures and looks can be very important when you are making the decision even if you don't realize it yourself.

Honey comb

While Cooler Master isn't the first manufacturer to use honey comb structure in their power supplies, they have used it in bit different way. Only the side that will be facing out from the case is opened this way. Some manufacturers have included similar openings to the front of the unit but that will only push warm air back to the case. Cooler Master's solution ensures that all the air that gets sucked inside the PSU will be forced out from the system.

From inside

It is great to see that CM have not limited the usage of cushioning paste. That gray "gum" will ensure that no high frequency noise gets generated by vibration of the components. Heatsinks and the whole layout of the board seems very low profiled. Partly because of the big fan that gets installed on top of them. Good and open layout ensures good transfer of heat from the heatsinks and the whole board out from the PSU.

Fan

Lately there have been many manufacturers offering PSUs with 120 mm fans. They offer lower noise and better CFM compared to the smaller 80x80 mm fans. Cooler Master is no exception and their Real Power unit is equipped with one of these 120 mm fans. The fan, made by Cooler Master themselves have two ball bearings and blue leds to make it stand out from the competition. With the help of Intelligent fan speed control the fan should offer < 20dBA of noise. And this is also something that you will immediatelly noticed when you turn the unit on the first time. At least if you have used a regular 80x80 mm fan model before. Low rotation speed of the fan really helps to keep the noise down while the large blades keep the unit cool.

In use

Who needs CCFL tubes any more? The light from the PSU is really bright and if you happen to have window on the side of the case, the whole interior will be seen lit up with this blue glow.

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