I would if I felt the new standard would benefit my system setup and the case was worth the switch. 22 years is a long time to be tied to one standard in the computer hardware industry.
I'd like to see a Nine Hundred revision that would accept these PSUs, or other case manufacturers make compatible cases. Without broadening the case selection to include a mid-sized high airflow case or a way to adapt it to work in some standard ATX cases, I don't see them catching on.
I'd be on board, but as everyone else said, only if the market adapts.
This is a GOOD trend buck, I'd like to see higher efficiency PSU's. It seems to be a portion of hardware that's typically neglected, both in performance to efficiency ratio and in actual tech advancement. Here's to hoping this encourages other manufacturers to adopt the new standard.
I've got a bad feeling that we'll see this go wayside in the way that PhysX cards did. Bold new tech, but no one wants to support it.
I don't see any reason to avoid it on a new build as long as the Antec case options appeal to you. The case's all accept standard ATX form factor PSU's as well, so you can always replace if the market does not turn out.
Would I mod around it, probably not, but if those three cases apeal to you or your customers, no reason to avoid the new form factor because the cases are flexable enough for that as well as the standard options.
I'm not that worried about cross-compatibility. If Antec expands its line of compatible cases, I'd be down for giving it a shot. The only way a PSU/case combo gets split up for me is if one breaks, in which case I'll probably be looking for more of the same to replace it.
When it's more efficient and more stable, lack of market pickup will do nothing but piss me off. I sincerely want to see this have a place in our build scene. I may organize my next build around it.
I didn't think of the custom case mod applications Cliff. Thanks for the reminder. If I were doing a custom build, the CPX PSU would be on my short list of items to build around. You sacrifice additional height for a shallower unit and gain additional airflow and quality, clean power. For a modder, what's not to love?
If I ever needed a new case or did a mod, I'd be interested. I love my five year old aluminum Chieftec case though, and I don't plan on giving it up anytime soon.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
OklahomaWolf at JonnyGURU just reviewed the Antec CP-850. He was highly impressed:
I have to be honest though... if I didn't have a Twelve Hundred I'm reviewing for next week, and had just load tested this unit without said case, I'd probably want to go buy one just to have a case to go with it. If the CPX form factor catches on, the CP-850 will be flat out untouchable. It is completely unmatched by any ATX unit on the market I can think of. You'd have to spend twice as much as this thing costs to find the next best thing, performance wise.
He gave the PSU a 9.5 out of possible 10. That rarely happens at JonnyGURU.
Low price -- encourage consumers to buy an Antec CPX case and the PSU in a single opening of the wallet. Not a bad strategy, to get the new form factor started and to sell cases and power supplies in the process.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
If I ever needed a new case or did a mod, I'd be interested. I love my five year old aluminum Chieftec case though, and I don't plan on giving it up anytime soon.
I know exactly what you mean. Antec will have an uphill climb. The target market for that PSU is the hard bitten crowd like us who are likely to have custom machines tricked out for gaming or other heavy duty use. We also tend to be very picky about components such as cases, and are not necessarily inclined to go out and purchase a new computer case.
On the other hand, as OklahomaWolf accurately stated, the CP-850 is one-half the price of anything even close to it in performance. You really could buy that CPU and a case to go with it for not much more than a competing PSU alone.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
I have a 6-year old Antec clone of the Cheiftec full-tower cases which has a removable adapter plate where the PSU screws into the back of the case. I don't have it here to measure but it looks like with a different/custom built adapter plate this PSU would fit great.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
All three CPX compatible cases are also fully ATX compliant.
That's one of the reasons I think CPX has a fighting chance of becoming viable - an accepted, common format. The internals are essentially the same as the ATX format. It's mainly the sheet metal enclosure that's different. For the case manufacturers and the PSU manufacturers, this has got to a negligable design and tooling change. Fortunately, this is Antec pushing the new designs. They just might be able to force enough momentum.
If anyone here is looking for a high-end PSU upgrade and has been thinking about a new case, that Newegg-Antec combo deal I linked above is dynamite. JonnyGURU was effusive with praise over that PSU.
If you want to buy those Antec cases, then these are the PSUs for you. I mean, I don't think any other PSU will "fit the bill."
I am all for evolving the market but let's see if this becomes something big. I am dubious but you never can predict market behavior with 100% certainty. In the meantime if you are able to buy the case and PSU combo I think it's just a good deal, too good to pass up really if you are in the market for a new case and PSU.
Wow, very impressive and an enjoyable article! I can see a CPX in my future. Even though I always assumed technology was getting smaller, not bigger. :S
Ohh yes! I new I made a good choice with the 1200 Its a brilliant idea. Much much better cooling capability, nothing has to be crammed in so cheaper PSU's
Nice one Antec
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
so cheaper PSU's
Only as long as Antec is pushing their new form factor to become accepted. If it weren't for that, Antec could easily ask $200+ for that CP-850, given it's performance and quality level.
Even if these things catch on, I don't think Antec has plans to jack the price up. It'd be contrary to their marketing which suggests that the main reason to increase PSU size was for the significant cost savings and better quality.
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Mt_GoatHead Cheezy KnobPflugerville (north of Austin)Icrontian
Even if these things catch on, I don't think Antec has plans to jack the price up. It'd be contrary to their marketing which suggests that the main reason to increase PSU size was for the significant cost savings and better quality.
I totally agree. And I am interested to see how this new form factor and concept catches on. Given the current times I feel this is a very good move on Antec's part as most folks are strapped for cash.
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LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
It'd be contrary to their marketing which suggests that the main reason to increase PSU size was for the significant cost savings
Cart before the horse? It was my opinion that any such cost savings - which there are at present - are to induce acceptance of a new standard. Not counting what I consider to be the current teaser cost of acquisition, how does the CPX standard impart cost savings to the consumer? Did I miss something? Is the CPX format less expensive to manufacture? Being better cooled with better airflow, yes, I would imagine a new generation of PSUs could be more efficient, but that's a cost savings to whomever pays the power bill, not a savings at retail purchase time.
LeonardoWake up and smell the glaciersEagle River, AlaskaIcrontian
edited April 2009
I hear you. I've purchased three high end PSUs in the last several months and an Antec case (P180) just two weeks ago (Craigslist). Had I know about this Antec 1200 - CP850 deal, I might have ordered it, even considering the terrible shipping charges to Alaska.
Yes, it is less expensive to manufacture. Look at the inside shots of the CPX unit compared to a PCP&C or similar ATX unit. The components in the Antec are HUGE but standard devices in a relatively simple layout. They make power with a good old push-rod V8.
A standard ATX unit to get the same results requires complex heatsinks, smaller and more expensive components, and origami packaging to get it to fit in an ATX-sized case. They're trying to supercharge a 4-banger so it'll still fit under the hood.
BuddyJ
Dept. of PropagandaOKC Icrontian
Comments
But right now? Without a smaller/less expensive case to work with, no.
This is a GOOD trend buck, I'd like to see higher efficiency PSU's. It seems to be a portion of hardware that's typically neglected, both in performance to efficiency ratio and in actual tech advancement. Here's to hoping this encourages other manufacturers to adopt the new standard.
I've got a bad feeling that we'll see this go wayside in the way that PhysX cards did. Bold new tech, but no one wants to support it.
Would I mod around it, probably not, but if those three cases apeal to you or your customers, no reason to avoid the new form factor because the cases are flexable enough for that as well as the standard options.
Good for Antec to buck the trend and take a risk.
I'm not that worried about cross-compatibility. If Antec expands its line of compatible cases, I'd be down for giving it a shot. The only way a PSU/case combo gets split up for me is if one breaks, in which case I'll probably be looking for more of the same to replace it.
Tri Cool fans with the built in three speed controler, the Skeleton exposed cases, and now a new PSU form factor, I dig innovation.
Low price -- encourage consumers to buy an Antec CPX case and the PSU in a single opening of the wallet. Not a bad strategy, to get the new form factor started and to sell cases and power supplies in the process.
On the other hand, as OklahomaWolf accurately stated, the CP-850 is one-half the price of anything even close to it in performance. You really could buy that CPU and a case to go with it for not much more than a competing PSU alone.
Man, I would have jumped on this about two weeks ago had the JonnyGURU review already been up and the Newegg combo deal posted!
If anyone here is looking for a high-end PSU upgrade and has been thinking about a new case, that Newegg-Antec combo deal I linked above is dynamite. JonnyGURU was effusive with praise over that PSU.
I am all for evolving the market but let's see if this becomes something big. I am dubious but you never can predict market behavior with 100% certainty. In the meantime if you are able to buy the case and PSU combo I think it's just a good deal, too good to pass up really if you are in the market for a new case and PSU.
Nice one Antec
I totally agree. And I am interested to see how this new form factor and concept catches on. Given the current times I feel this is a very good move on Antec's part as most folks are strapped for cash.
A standard ATX unit to get the same results requires complex heatsinks, smaller and more expensive components, and origami packaging to get it to fit in an ATX-sized case. They're trying to supercharge a 4-banger so it'll still fit under the hood.