APEVIA ATX-AS520W-BK 520 W ATX Power Supply

Pros: This is a good quality, stable unit which delivers plenty of power. I am a system builder who does mostly gaming PC's and I have used 46 of these units without issues. I have had only one come back dead and the owner admitted to running his rig with the fan controller on low speed while gaming. DUUHH!!

Cons: People who don't know what they are talking about who trash talk this PSU. It conforms to the ATX form factor and does NOT install upside down. If you are replacing the cheap PSU that you received in a case combo then it is likely the cheap case's mount that was to blame. I have seen this many times. Yes the unit mounts with one fan facing up. This is an intake fan and is meant to exhaust the hot air that builds up in the top of a PC's case. I wish that there was a switch to turn off the lights.

Overall Review: I first discovered this supply when I was looking for a unit with a fairly high sustained amperage rating on the 12v rail,(26 amps in this case) for builds with single power hungry ATI video cards and I have never regretted my decision to try it. I would not recommend this unit for two high end ATI's in crossfire. For that go with something like an Enermax Noisetaker/Liberty or OCZ Gamestream.

Pros: I used the PS in a 4U server that had six HDDs plus three fans including a 120MM. The PS fans can move a lot of air and yet not be that noisy. I liked the fact that it was quiet and I could adjust the PS exhaust fan to help control the temperatures of the case interior and the processor. Cables are sleeved which is also a plus. I think it is a good power supply.

Cons: I bought it in September 2005 and it went up in smoke on January 17, 2007. I have many other machines running on my network, some with PSs at least 5 yrs old. I would have expected this Apevia to last as long. I replaced the Apevia temporarily with an older recycled PS and am again up and running. The next PS I buy will probably not be an Apevia.

Overall Review: I buy 99% of my hardware from New Egg and base my decisions partly on these reviews. The purchase of the Apevia proves that once in a while a piece of hardware with good reviews can actually be a disappointment.