We have all been blown away by a killer case mod. On one hand, if not surprised that someone has that much time and energy to dedicate to making their own PC, you are at least astounded by the effort put into creating a case mod. On the other hand, no matter if you are a gamer or not, you have to respect the planning and engineering talent that goes into a case mod. Myself, its always something that I was eager to try, but at the same time found quite intimidating.
The LanBoy Air Case Club
I know that most of the world has a love-hate relationship with Antec’ LanBoy Air. A lot of people just hate it. I’m not sure why. For me, it was love at first site. The LanBoy is unique, I had never seen anything like it. It was totally customizable, which means that guys like me who get bored easily can change it as much as they want and Ill be dammned if it did not just look tactical. The modded M4 assault rifles came to mind. So when I discovered the LanBoy Air Case Club on Overclock.net, I knew I had just truck gold. This is a huge forum dedicated to modders who work exclusively with the LanBoy Air.
Antec LanBoy case mod by modder “Evil Jerry”
But why do they work with the LanBoy Air? Because its unique design makes it the ideal canvas for modders. Think of the LanBoy as being made of LEGOs. Being fully modular, the customization options are endless. Its easy to strip down and the various parts can be removed and replaced with a minimum of effort. It features fifteen fan mounts and multiple drive placement. You can even mount your drives sideways. Internally, you can place your PSU just about anywhere, its liquid colling ready and cable management is a snap.
The materials are also easy to work with. The mesh sides are easily painted, cut or replaced. The steel frame can easily be bent, cut, drilled, sanded or simply replaced. Furthermore its quite affordable. New Egg sells it for $129.
Get modding!
It’s easily one of the best chassis ever thanks to how little effort it would take to turn a Lanboy Air into an epic liquid-cooled PC. I must reiterate something in a positive tone: Well done Antec! Well done!
If you are like me, eager to mod, but dont have the tools, skills or time necessary to complete, Antec offers you some great modding options. We’ve got great fans that are a great and easy way to add color to your next case mod.
A selection of some of Antec’s case fans in various LED colors as well as all-white.
Accent or Bias Lighting is another great way to create a themed computer without using drills or dremels. Antec offers a easy to install USB-powered lighting strip. Ive got a few of these on my Antec One and it makes my mid sized tower look like a spaceship. Just imagine how a few of these could breathe new life into your PC. Available at NewEgg.
Antec would like to announce the birth of Antec Mobile Products (a.m.p). This new label was created to support Antec’s all-new line of mobile products The a.m.p product line includes two families: a range of mobile audio devices and a series of portable power banks and battery chargers. The a.m.p mobile accessories offer new capabilities to mobile users. With a focus on mobility, sharing and community, these products maximize the potential of Bluetooth™ technology to provide users the opportunity to experience their music in new ways.
So lets take a look at some of these great new products.
Break free from the bonds of inadequate sound
First up, we have the SP1, a portable, Bluethooth-enabled speaker that supports mobile phone functions. Use it for music, games or videos. You can also use it as a mobile speakerphone for conference calls or online chats. Its fully-portable, has a thirty foot range and a up to ten hours of battery life. Available in three colors schemes: White with red, green with white and black with red.
There is also the gain, a wireless Bluetooth receiver. Essentially the Antec gain severs the binds that tie you to your mobile device. After pairing the gain with your Bluetooth-enabled device, you are free to roam around leaving your device behind. Just plug your favorite headphones into the gain, clip it to your shirt or slip it into your pocket and go. The gain comes in five different color combinations.
Another new mobile device from Antec Mobile Products is the dBs-in-ear, ear buds with active noise cancelling technology is the iso-a wireless Bluetooth receiver paired with active noise cancelling in-ear headphones avail able in two color combinations. There is also the iso-a Bluetooth headset that combines the noise-canceling technology of the dbs and the wireless Bluteooth functions of the gain into one product. Perfect for running or lounging, the iso offers you total mobility and full freedom
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Complete your mobile life
But what use are all these slick gadgets if they don’t have any juice? Well, Antec Mobile Products has got you covered with a full range of mobile chargers and USB battery packs.
Chargers
The charging line consists of a variety of USB battery packs and chargers for USB-powered devices like the iPhone, iPad or tablet PCs. One example would be the PowerUp 6000, a slim and sleek, portable USB battery pack that uses high-capacity mAh Japanese cells to quickly charge up a mobile device while on the go. Other products in this line are:
Power Banks
PowerUP 6000
PowerUp 3000
PowerUp 2200
Portable Chargers
These durable chargers fit into your wall socket or car cigarette lighter to provide some of the fastest charges available. Perfect for any USB-power device, these portable chargers feature a full range of current protection making them ideal for world travelers, dorm rooms, offices or homes.
Hub Charger: four-port USB charger
Tour Charger: super-slim wall charger
Go Charger: dual-port, USB charger for cars
“We just wanted to provide products that make lives more enjoyable.”
Now many of you might ask, “Antec makes cases and power supplies, so why is Antec now releasing mobile devices?” Well, that’s a fair question. Let’s let Frank Lee, Director of Antec Mobile Products answer it for us.
We see many of our competitors expanding their product portfolio into already crowded spaces. What seems most logical is moving into computer peripherals and accessories to complement our current product line. However, Antec wanted to take a new approach; quite simply, we just wanted to provide products that make lives more enjoyable. As we all know, technology is taking on an increasingly greater role in our lives and the relationship between user and device is changing. With the advancements in wireless technology and a shift in how people access media, we felt there was a space where we could offer products that would complete our current and future customers’ mobile lifestyles. This is the market where Antec believes it can make the most significant impact while helping us continue our established belief in offering only the best products to our customers.”
I’d like to talk about Antec’s High Current Pro line of PSUs, but what can I say about one of the world’s best PSUs that hasn’t already been said?
Antec High Current Pro 1200 PSU
Raw Power
Let’s start with the most important aspect of a PSU-power. We already know that when pro Overclocker HiCookie set the Overclocking World Record in Madrid he did it using a High Current Pro 850. So it’s common knowledge that the Antec HCP line of PSU is ready to run the most demanding rigs.
But how does the HCP do this? Well, first, there is Continuous Power rating. It’s a point of pride for Antec to ensure Continuous Power. That means a Continuous Power-rated 850 watt PSU will not just peak at 850, it can put out 850 watts for as long as necessary. Second, Antec’s HCP uses the best materials possible to ensure optimal conductivity and stability. For example, gold-plated terminals for better conduction, Japanese capacitors for tight DC stability and heavy duty 16 AWG gauge wires for greater conductivity. The result is 99% +12V output, ideal for power hungry CPU/GPU combos. The HCP also features PhaseWave™ Design – A server-class full-bridge LLC design with a synchronous rectification based on a DC-DC topology.
But, you don’t have to take my word for it. Let’s take a look at some of the REVIEWS . These aren’t “professional reviewers”. These aren’t marketing bots, these are real PC Enthusiasts and this is what they want you to know about the HCP’s power.
“I regularly push well past 1200 watts for sustained periods. and I have had nothing but excellent results.“(HCP 1200)
“Always been a big fan of Antec, this PSU is a good reason why.” (HCP 850)
“This beast powers 7 HD, 8Gb ram, an overclocked Extreme CPU, a GTX 580, and 6 gase fans, and it doesn’t even break a sweat!” (HCP 1200)
Silence is Still Golden
But all this power must create noise right? I mean, I don’t want my PC to sound like a washing machine when I’m playing Skyrim on ultra settings. So how can a stronger PSU not make more noise? Well, I’m glad you asked.
One way is by installing superior fans. First, the HCP line uses a 135mm (that’s big) Pulse Width Modulation, double ball bearing fan. You can read about PWM fans here. Second, Antec’s Thermal Manager-an advanced low-voltage fan control for noise management. In short, this uses lower voltage steps to gradually change your fan’s speed, so you don’t hear your fan speed up or kick on and off.
So even when the HCP is releasing its earth-shattering power, it does it without making a noisy fuss. Again, don’t take my word for it. Just checkout the and see some more opinions from “regular” folks.
“The large fan in the power supply is controlled by the sensors in the circuitry, not by an external connection to the motherboard as some power supplies are designed. Being large, it does not have to turn fast, and I cannot hear it even with the case open.” (HCP 1200)
“Very quiet. Very impressed with the fan inside.” (HCP 750)
Reliability
So, OK the HCP is silent and deadly, but you’re in it for the long hall, you want something that will last. Well, the HCP still has got you covered. Aside from the AQ5 – Antec Quality 5 year warranty and lifetime global 24/7 support, the HCP comes with a full array of protections to keep your PC running for years. Power imbalances are perhaps the biggest threat to a PSU, that’s why the HCP comes with a full suite of current protections called CircuitShield™. These seven levels of protection protect your PSU and your PCs components from many types of threats. This means the HCP line’s Mean Time between Failures MTBF is 100,000 hours. That might not sound like a lot of gaming, but call us when your Steam account says you’ve played 100,000 hours of XCOM. Again, let’s let the customer feedback speak…
“Multi-Rail for better over current protection. A major selling point for me.” (HCP 850)
“This thing is a beast. My voltages are so stable they look like static numbers to the third and fourth decimal place.” (HCP 1200)
Modularity
First, the HCP line uses Universal Input, that means it not only plugs into EU or US power sockets, but its internal wiring is meant to handle 100V to 240V grids. Second, the HCP features special 10-pin modular connectors for improved flexibility and, third, four High Current rails with 40A each. Lets take a look at a review…
“Excellent modular setup that can accomodate most any case setup and power needs. Has connectors galore and allows for a free airflow case when using only the minimum of items needed.” (HCP 850)
Efficiency
But a strong silent PSU is great, but you don’t want to see a whopping electricity bill at the end of the month. Well, I don’t blame you. But, even with its unbridled power, the High Current Pro line is one of the most energy efficient PSUs on the market. Each is 80 PLUS® GOLD certified up to 92% efficiency. This has been sown to represent a 20% reduction in your PC’s over all power consumption when compared to similar PSUs. In addition to being ErP Lot 6 compliant, the HCP line also uses Active Power Factor Correction to reduce blind power waste. Here is what some users had to say about their HCP purchases….
“The power consumption is low and the output is very stable.” (HCP 850)
“Your money will be paid back by reduced power consumption due to efficiency.”(HCP 750)
High Current Pro line of PSUs comes in 750, 850 and 1200W versions. They are available for purchase via the Antec website at fine places such as
Finally, let’s give the professional reviewers a chance to give their opinions.
Overclockers.com: Perfection is hard to come by, but this unit does a mighty good job. (HCP 850)
TweakTown : Antec has brought a fantastic power supply to the market with the HCP-1200. The unit performs on a nearly flawless level from start to finish, is built really well, and is packed full of features. You simply couldn’t ask for more out of the HCP-1200. It would be nearly impossible to find a better 1200W power supply and we highly recommend that you consider the HCP-1200 should you require that much power.
BitTech: Its 100 per cent stable, highly efficient, quiet and has oodles of connectors. You pay for the privilege of owning one, of course, but long-term stability and peace of mind is worth the price.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we skipped GamesCom and everyone else went. But just give us a chance and we will make it up to you at Mutiplay Insomnia i46 next week.
What is i46?
What is i46 you ask? Insomnia i46 is an epic 4-day gaming festival that wold probably blow you mind. Sponsored by Multiplay, this bi-yearly event will take place on August 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th in Tellford, UK and should be on your calendar. This year’s event will features events, give aways, the kegendary Pub Quiz and opportunities to meet all you favorite people from the Gaming Industry. A highlight of the event will be a series of tournaments with teh following games:
Insomnia i46 takes place in Tellford, UK from August 24th to the 27th. Tickets are avaioable via the Insomnia website.
YOu can get day tickets, group tickets or a weekend pass. Head over to the site and they can answer all your questions about accomodation, arrival and all those things.
And of course Antec and myslef will be there. From our booth we will be running tournaments, tricks, jokes and whatever else….but no give aways. Just kidding, there will be contest give aways. So be sure to drop by and kick Benjamin in the shin. He loves it.
A quick and dirty guide to building your first gaming PC
It happened again. You waited all year for the new Battlefield 3. You watched the YouTube trailers with delicious anticipation. You reserved your copy months ago. You’ve stocked up on Red Bull and cleared your calendar for the whole weekend. You can already feel the recoil; hear the brass shells hitting the concrete floor.
After a lengthy load up that makes you a bit nervous, the start page appears and you launch into mission one. Your palms are sweaty, your heart races with anticipation. Yes, oh God yes.
You leap into battle. But then your screen lags and glitches. Gunfire rages around you, but you can’t move! Helpless, you have to listen as your team is picked-off one by one. You lose a lot of good men that day due to a sub-standard gaming rig.
We’ve all been there, experienced that agonizing moment where you realize, my computer can’t run this game. So, you go through the same routine; you delete games, you defrag. You run systems checks, virus scans and even CC Cleaner. Still no joy, glitches and lags get you killed and your BF3 Teammates have disowned you.
So, what else is there to do but drive off the local Best Buy and drop $1500 on a new gaming PC? Because, let’s admit it, email and Facebook are great, but your PC spends 90 percent of its time rendering epic headshots.
But stop and think for a minute.
You know computers. You‘ve installed mods into your root directory. You can partition and you even swapped out that ancient graphics card a year back. So now maybe it’s time to join the big leagues. Maybe, just maybe it’s time to stick it to Dell and build your very own gaming PC. Your own deadly Deathstar Battlestation of death.
But where to begin? How about here and now?
This is a quick and dirty guide, an introduction to the very basics of PC building. We all know your copy of Skyrim is sitting there gathering dust, so let’s dive in.
As far as I know there are only three hard and fast rules for building a gaming PC.
1) Don’t ever buy something because someone recommended it. Opinions are nice to have, but there is a lot of information out there and nothing beats doing your own homework.
2) Compatibility is key. So many producers with different products made with different specifications for different purposes means that compatibility will always be a challenge. Good news is it’s easy to check. But you just have to be sure to actually check it.
3) The best guide to tell you what speeds and components you need to run a game is the game box itself. So before you go to Reddit and ask if your system can run the game, just read the side of the box and take it from there. There are also many online platforms that can help you check it.
Let’s take a look at components
Your new gaming computer wants, no needs, a fast processor, a cutting-edge video card, ample memory and the juice to push it.
For a decent gaming PC you’ll need to think about the following.
Hard Disc Drive (HDD)- As you are no doubt aware, a hard drive is where you store all your games, photos, videos and music. So technically you don’t need a lot to run games; Battlefield 3 just needs a mere 20GB.
Yet, any self-respecting gaming system will need a decent hard drive. If you can, go for a 1 terabyte (1TB) hard drive. Sure, it is more memory than you’ll need, but really, considering prices for memory, there really is no reason to build a new PC with anything less. That being said, HDDs are easy to upgrade and you can always add more memory later on down the road. Some good HDDs that offer excellent bang for their buck are Samsung or Western Digital. A 1TB HDD will run around $150 USD.
The newest trend is Solid State Drives (SSD). They are faster and more stable versions of the regular HDD. If you have the cash, they are great, but they are not a necessity.
Video/Graphics Card (GPU)-There is a lot of talk about graphic cards; it really requires its own discussion. But to be clear, the GPU is made up of the video card and the 3D processor (the cool looking Tron chip on that graphics card). This is actually a processor similar to the CPU already installed your PC but a graphics card is optimized for video.
The good news is that, like CPUs, there is a lot of competition in the market which forces graphic card producers to really try and out-do each other. Newer models come equipped with dual GPU video cards, meaning the graphics load is split between two cards, a good thing.
The easy answer was always either go Nvidia or AMD. In general, Nvidia’s products are a bit slower but more versatile, while AMD is faster and less complex. As far as comparing them, they use different scales so it’s difficult.
Yet there are a lot of newer models out there that are really leading the pack so to speak. A top of the line video card would be an EVGA GTX 500 series, Nvidia GeForce GTX or an ASUS Radeon HD 7000 series. A nice video card can set you back anywhere from $250 to $500 with $500 being borderline insane but will easily play a new game on highest settings.
Random Access Memory (RAM)- RAM is basically how fast your PC can compute. Here you really need to be looking in the 4-8 GB range. More than that is overkill for some, but again, this is one of those places where it really doesn’t pay to skimp. Two very popular brands right now are Kingston’s HyperX and G.Skill. Both make excellent products. That being said, RAM does matter and there’s a whole lot of debate and information out there, so remember rule 1. As a point of reference FIFA 12 requires 2GB of RAM to run well where Skyrim’s recommended requirements are closer to 4GB. Eight Gigabytes of RAM is great and when you consider a G.Skill 8GB Ripjaw can be picked up for $50 on sale, why cut corners?
Power Supply (PSU)-There is a short answer and a long answer. Short answer is that PSUs are pretty universal and as long as you have enough, you can run your PC. What’s enough? Difficult to say as it really depends on what your components are drawing but let’s say 700W is a comfortable level. Remember that if your combined system is drawing 600W and your PSU is pushing 1000W, you are still going to be using 600W, so the extra 400W really doesn’t do anything except run up your electric bill. That being said, insufficient power is a sure way to fry your fancy new PC. This actually happens, so you will need to do some calculating. Once you have your components picked out, plug them into a PSU calculator and see what you come up with. A great one can be found here.
But there is also the long answer.
A bad PSU is a total game-changer. Nothing will fry your PC or make it crash faster and harder than a underperforming PSU. To be clear, a bad PSU can ruin pretty much your entire rig. So truth be told, a quality PSU is often an overlooked component. Quite simply, everything depends on it, so choose wisely.
Obviously, we want you to buy an Antec PSU. I m not going to get into the advantages of Antec PSUs here and now, but somethings to think about are Continuous Power, Modularity, 80Plus Certification, Thermal Management, and Circuitry Protection. Each one of these deserves its own discussion, but I urge you to at least familiarize yourself with these factors before making your choice.
Finally, if you are a hardcore gamer, you might be looking at Overclocking or Crossfiring. In this case, you need to make sure power supply that can power those things. Overclocking (running your PC above the recommended settings) will require extra power and heat up your PC. At the same time, Crossfiring (adding multiple video cards) will require an extra power boost as well.
As always, check connectors and compatibility.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)- The CPU really is the meat and potatoes of your PC. If you are going to go for gold on one component, this just might be the one as your CPU quality will affect nearly every aspect of your gaming PC. You definitely want at least Dual Core as a minimum.
Two market leaders in CPUs are Intel and AMD, both very reliable. There is a bit of an arms race between these two with each outdoing the other for short periods of time. Yet, at the moment an Intel CPU is going to be slightly better than its AMD counterpart. (Intel’s Ivy Bridge is a great product line) But, in general, AMD will work just fine for those on a budget.
If you decide to go for the Intel you need at least i3 ($150-$200). Pick up an i5 ($200) if you want some extra speed and if money is no issue, the i7 is your best bet. That being said, the i3 works fine as well and to be honest, as far as gaming you won’t see much of a noticeable difference between an i5 and an i7. Skyrim will do great with an i5 but if you are willing to make a long term investment, splurge on the i7 ($300), you won’t regret it. Budget builders can go with Athlon II’s ($100) and fare quite well.
Optical Drive (CD/DVD)-This is really not such an issue if you just avoid the bargain basement deals. A gaming PC with a CD drive is just as good as one with a DVD. However, if you are going to use your PC for anything more than gaming, just get a DVD drive so you can install important software such as a new Operating System if necessary. The price difference is negligible, so there really is no need to settle for a CD drive when a DVD is a few bucks more. A basic Drive can be picked up for $20.
Soundcard- Forget about soundcards. On board sound cards are fine for nearly all current PC games. Not that a soundcard is not a good idea, you just don’t need one to play BF3. Invest in killer headphones.
Motherboard (MOBO)-Your MOBO is where you’ll plug in all your fancy new components and what motherboard you pick really depends on the CPU you choose. For example, a Sandy Bridge CPU uses 1155 Intel socket, where AMD’s current line, Bulldozer, uses am3+. So again, compatibility is the key.
As far as choosing one, you want a ‘good’ one, but the difference between ‘good’ and ‘excellent’ is up for debate. Therefore, as long as you have a ‘good’ one, compatibility and future upgrades are the key to picking out your MOBO. If you aren’t planning on future upgrades, it’s an easy choice.
But if you are looking to keep your new gaming PC on the cutting edge for more than twenty minutes make sure it has ports that allow for expansion or Crossfiring. ASUS and EVGA make simple no-frills MOBOs that will see you through your darkest hours.
Are devices like the Antec-Kuhler-H20-920 going to render CPU heatsinks obsolete?
Has Liquid Cooling killed the Heatsink star?
I’ll be honest, before working for Antec, I thought of Liquid CPU coolers as a bad idea. I mean, Really? Liquid. In your computer? Why not just stuff chewing gum in the optical drive? Something about it just did not sit right with me. But when I built my new gaming PC last month, a colleague really pushed me to install a Kuhler H20 620 for my new Intel i5 2500K, so I went with it. Let me say the thing was a dream.
But here is the question: Are liquid CPU coolers the wave of the future? Or are they just a novelty?
Previous generations of liquid CPU coolers
Understandably, people are suspicious of liquid CPU coolers. First off, liquid and high performance PC electronics typically do not mix. So there is some resistance there. But even more is the fact that liquid cooling technology is just now catching up. Its seems that the first generation of liquid CPU coolers left a bad taste in people’s mouths and have made it difficult to to adopt this new technology.
Why?
Previously, liquid cooling technology was, well, not effective. The cooling performance was limited and the price was prohibitively high. The systems were complicated and difficult to install while the pumps were weak and many needed to be mounted outside of the computercase. In many ways, liquid cooling was more of a gimmick; a way to pimp your gaming PC, look cool and impress your friends. Anyone who knew, would never have considered them to be a viable rival to the classic CPU heatsinks we grew up with.
New technology brings liquid cooling into the mainstream
But as with all technologies, once liquid cooling system got the chance to work through their growing pains, what emerged was an astoundingly good product, ideal for high-performance gaming PCs. Lets use my experience as an example. When building a PC two months ago in the Antec office, a colleague urged me to install the Antec Kuhler H20 620. Like others, I was a bit leery. Liquid cooling versus a standard heatsink? Do I really need it? What about installation and refilling? What about power consumption? And would it even work?
Well, I can say that it installed quite literally in a few minutes and today it makes almost no noise., nor have I seen any noticeable increase in my power consumption. Perhaps most importantly, I can summarize my liquid cooler performance this way: I run my PC on ultra high settings, playing Shogun Total War 2 for hours on end, yet the air coming out of my exhaust fans is ice cold. That’s right, the Kuhler 62o has turned my gaming PC into an air conditioner. I couldn’t be happier.
But this is just he tip of the iceberg. When you look at price, liquid coolers are really closing the gap. Consider Antec’s Kuhler H20 620 that sells on Newegg for $62.99 to the Thermaltake Frio Overclocking CPU cooler that cost $65.00. When you see prices like this and bear in mind the improved performance of liquid cooling in general (no matter what brand you decide to buy), you really have to wonder why the CPU heatsink still exists?
So that is my question. What are your opinions about liquid cooling? Why is it not universally adopted? Will it replace the CPU heatsink? When?
Just a short alert to let the Antec Community know that Antec is attending Computex 2012 in Taipei right now. The International Information Technology Show, better known as simply Computex, is taking place from June 5th to the 9th in Taipei, Taiwan.
Largest Computer and Technology Event?
Arguably one of the largest computer and technology trade fairs in the world, and certainly the largest in Asia, Computex has been running annually for over a decade and had its beginnings in the 1980s.
Each year, during Computex, the local urban area is transformed into a vibrant hub of technology and activity. Due to the massive influx of people, local buses and taxi services are forced to change their routes and alter their fares as over 150,000 eager event-goers descend on Taipei, selling out hotels, fillings restaurants and pushing the areas infrastructure to the max!
The venue is the Taipei World Trade Center’s Nangang Exhibition Hall and this year it will be home to 1,800 exhibitors and 5,300 booths. Computex 2012 will include a Golf Tournament, press conferences, awards ceremonies and even a Ms. Computex pageant.
Antec at Computex 2012
And of course Antec will be there! This year Antec has arranged a large booth in the Nangang Exhibition Hall 1F. If you feel like dropping by and seeing what Antec is up to, Antec’s booth is #J0818. Antec is also offering a VIP area inside the event hall as well as hosting an after-party on Wednesday evening at Stream lounge.
Antec’s New Products
For those that wont be able to make it, we can tell you that Antec, makers of some of the world’s best-rated PSUs, is highlighting a new 1300 watt PSU there that is sure to impress. At the same time, Antec will be unveiling an entire range of their Advance products, including USB chargers, notebook accessories and a new line of hip,fashion-technology-inspired, audio products that are sure to unleash your music and media! Click the links to learn more!
Constantly cruising the blogosphere and internet forums can expose you to a lot of information. It seems that everyone is an expert, so who do you trust?
One discussion that seems to keep popping up again and again is poor PC gaming performance and how to improve it. Surprisingly we saw more than a few
threads that looked like this:
Q: “HELP! My Battlefield 2 keeps artifacting!”
With the response: “Check your PSU”
While it certainly is great to get free advice, this advice probably does more harm than good, here’s why: Good or bad, your PSU does not affect your PC’s
performance.
That’s right; a malfunctioning PSU will not affect your frame rate just as replacing an old PSU will not speed up your PC.
This requires a bit of a technical explanation. As you know a computer PSU converts the AC (alternating current) that comes from the wall socket into DC (direct current) that your computer components want (that is why laptop power cables have that large brick, it’s a converter). So as the names suggest, AC power is like a wave, it rises and falls, where DC power is more continuous, like a line.
To provide an illustration, many people see PSU and performance to be a proportional relationship much like that of a flashlight. New batteries mean a strong beam and a flickering or dim beam means low power. But that’s not the case with your computer’s PSU. When it comes to PSU, either your PSU can power your gaming PC’s components. Or it can’t.
But how do you know when your PSU is bad, under strength or malfunctioning?
Easy, in most cases your entire system will just shut down.
Allow me to explain. A quality PSU will include integrated safety features such as over and under current protection. These features are designed to detect a power deficiency and shut down your gaming PC before it begins to damage components. So if your power level drops below the necessary levels, even for a second, these safety features kick in and shut down your PC preventing damage. This can mean the blue screen of death, a black-screen or just a full system crash.
Blue screen of death
While it might be annoying, this ‘fail safe’ is meant to protect your PC, its components and you.
So what if these safety and fail-safe measures malfunction or don’t exist?
Then you have a real problem. Sometimes the PSU is still able to provide its 12 volts, but not stability (see Continuous Power). This type of an underperforming PSU can ‘blow caps’ where the soldering melts off the PCBs. Even worse is a full PSU failure. This is bad; without safety features like Circuit Shield, a PSU failure can mean a problem of the smoky, flamey variety. No exaggeration, to be clear, we are talking about exploding PCs. So, therefore, a PSU’s safety features are just as vital as its wattage.
So when choosing a PSU or trying to improve performance, you have a lot to consider. You certainly want to make sure that you have enough power to push
all your hardware and deciding what is ‘enough’ a full discussion better left for next time. But the main point is, if you PC isn’t performing, I feel bad
for you son, you might have 99 problems, but your PSU aint one.
In case you haven’t checked out our recent Youtube or Facebook pages, we wanted to throw a couple videos your way. We’ve been quite busy with the launch of our HCP-1000 Platinum PSU and our TrueQuiet™ Pro 120 case fan but still wanted to put out a couple of digital goodies for you guys.
First up is Dennis Pang‘s showcasing of our TrueQuiet Pro 120 fan. He shows you that the TQP’s unique fan blade is designed enhance to airflow. It also keeps quiet with silicone grommets & mounting pins, and it includes a convenient 3-pin to Molex adapter. You can find TrueQuiet Pro 120 on Amazon for $19.99 or less.
Next up is a little statement we’ve made about our philosophy on providing exceptional customer service and cracking down on those rare defective products. If you’ve ever seen Office Space or have destroyed a crappy product, you might get something out of this video!
Don’t forget to check out the blog below “Airflow and Cable Management: Jump on it!” and post a comment for your chance to win an Eleven Hundred on Friday!
That’s it for now, ladies and gents, but stay tuned for more coming up on the Antec blog.
We all know what the many benefits of building a PC are, but occasionally we overlook some of the factors that keep our PC in check and keep us smiling. Airflow and cable management can certainly improve how we build and maintain our systems, and even having a basic knowledge of the two can make all the difference in creating a rig you truly admire through the years & upgrades. So, why should you care about airflow, and what’s all the fuss about cable management?
