Thermaltake PurePower 480W "Butterfly" PSU

     Power supplies come and go. I will admit, I have been personally disappointed in the last year with some of the newer power supplies coming out. No more than 3 years ago, some of us AMD'ers discovered that if we modified the voltage coming out of our 5v line that we could run our FSB higher. Much to the dismay of more than one of the big name PSU manufacturers, we also found that almost all power supplies had a very low 5v line voltage which is essential to high-FSB stability. Therefore I have always tried to pick my power supply carefully no matter what the wattage may be. Well 2 yrs ago it wasn't much of a problem, but this year the 5v line problem has reared its ugly head once again, and I have a good idea why... To save money for them, and give us problems...lots of problems.. Within the last few months people in our own ClubOC forum have been having problems with the same overclocking situations that myself and a few selected group had three years ago, but its worse this time.. our forum members aren't even overclocking and noticing very irregular voltage fluctuations, and low rails coming from their power supplies. Well, to make a long story short I went out and grabbed a $25 3yrs old Enermax eBay special, avoiding the whole year of new power supplies being released. This $25 power supply has so far given me the satisfaction of pointing out a major problem with low voltages when I put it up against some very expensive and popular power supplies that are being purchased on a daily basis. For now I will let them be, but I need to make it a very important point that this new unit from Thermaltake is going to change overclocking the way we know it, just by acknowledging the notorious low 5V line. So enough of the lecturing and reflections of PC-133 overclocking, lets bust this sucker open and see how good it really is.

Specifications

Transparent X-type side window and replaceable X-type side panel : EMI test passed
Dual colorful LED: 7colors flash
Instead of external PCB, X-blower with the embedded VR function to change the fan speed
Intelligent Cable Management

Power supply temp. detective sensor output : provide real temp. from PSU, compatible with thermaltake products
Dual Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment) power connectors.
Active PFC (W0019, W0020)

Noise : 17 dBA at 1300 rpm, 45 dB at 4800 rpm
Dual fans power supply
High performance Al blue heat-sink

Enclosed Accessories
80x80x70mm Blower for Case fan
High quality Aluminum speed control panel with 2 main “Tt” knob