Test Setup: Albatron PX925X Pro, Pentium 540 (3.2GHz) with Standard Intel HSF, 2x512 Kingston HyperX PC2-5300, Albatron Trinity PC6600GT Graphics, 2x Maxtor SATA150 80GB, 1x Maxtor PATA 160GB, 1x IBM 60GB Deskstar, 1x AOpen 52x CDRW, 1x Pioneer 8x DVD+/-RW, 1x Floppy Drive
Other power using devices: 2x CCFLs and 2x 120mm Fans (via Nexus fan controller), 2x CCFL's via dual inverter, 4 port USB Hub, USB Modem, USB Mouse, USB Keyboard, USB Scanner, USB Webcam, TV Tuner Card
Estimated Maximum total watts of all devices – 400w Combined, 230w System + 170w devices Split
The idea of using all these devices (or as many as possible) all at once is to put as much power load on the system as possible so a Messenger window using the Webcam was opened, Folding@Home to load the CPU, fans to full speed, all CCFL's on, a document scanned at a high resolution repeatedly, defragging of the hard drives, looping timedemo in Quake III Arena (windowed), charging of an MP3 player via a USB port, burning a CD at 48x and attempting to watch TV while all that was going on. Operating temperatures can also affect the PSU, with higher temperatures reducing the overall efficiency, so we also turned up the heat in the house, removed the fans from the case (but left them plugged in for load testing) and took readings of the current case temperatures and PSU internal temperatures via a probe.
In this case, both Combined and Split mode results have been included to which I think it is pertinent to make clear the specifications in both modes. I've scanned this table from the manual which shows the different outputs in both modes.
Combined Mode
|
Idle
|
Case Temp 37C
|
|
Temp.
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V1
|
+12V2
|
|
Tagan TG480-U22
|
43C
|
3.39
|
5.08
|
12.09
|
N/A
|
|
Ultra Products 500W
|
45C
|
3.40
|
5.23
|
12.23
|
N/A
|
|
Load
|
Case Temp 45C
|
|
Temp.
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V1
|
+12V2
|
|
Tagan TG480-U22
|
52C
|
3.36
|
5.03
|
11.98
|
N/A
|
|
Ultra Products 500W
|
55C
|
3.30
|
5.10
|
12.09
|
N/A
|
Both power supplies show good figures, however the Tagan does drop under the 12v mark under load, but only just. The bottom line here is that while the Tagan's results might not seem at first glance to be as good as the Ultra's, they are within spec (for the most part) and pretty much spot on where they should be. One thing that these tables don't show well is that there was very little fluctuation of the numbers from the Tagan, while the Ultra did vary between it's highs and lows more frequently and to a greater extent.
Split Mode
|
Idle
|
Case Temp 37C
|
|
Temp.
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V1
|
+12V2
|
|
Tagan TG480-U22
|
43C
|
3.40
|
5.08
|
12.05
|
12.15
|
|
Ultra Products 500W
|
45C
|
3.40
|
5.23
|
12.23
|
N/A
|
|
Load
|
Case Temp 45C
|
|
Temp.
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V1
|
+12V2
|
|
Tagan TG480-U22
|
52C
|
3.33
|
5.01
|
11.99
|
12.11
|
|
Ultra Products 500W
|
55C
|
3.30
|
5.10
|
12.09
|
N/A
|
The results for the Ultra PSU are unchanged from the previous comparison so we'll move on straight to the Tagan split results. The Tagan PSU shows the benefit of the Dual Rail design quite well in our tests. In combined mode the Tagan was just a little under on the 12v rail, however when the rail is split the results come out pretty much perfectly right across the board. You couldn't ask for better voltages really, and having the rails split should mean that any peak usage of the power (such as during first startup) won't require you to have a monster PSU with a single rail that will most likely cost you more money. While I can't test this, I'd also be interested to hear from any Vapochill owners who have had to use 2 seperate PSU's to power their systems; in theory, this Dual Rail technology should negate the need for a second PSU in that circumstance.
Final Words
The Tagan TG480-U22 480W PSU is feature filled as power supplies go, with many nice extras and touches that you simply don't see on that many others on the market. Some of these features are a natural progression to support todays technology, the modular nature of the ATX and P4 connectors for example. Others, such as the velcro cable ties (in 5 different colours) and the braided power cord, ground cable and the top mesh vent are additions that are most welcome. Having both split and combined rails at the flick of a switch is also unique to Tagan giving you the best of both worlds.
Speaking of todays technology, the Tagan TG480-U22 also sports connectors for PCIe graphics cards (SLI or Crossfire) and SATA, and all without an adaptor in sight. The one downside I discovered is not going to be that big a deal to most folks, although those with full size towers will be better served looking elsewhere; some of the cabling (Molex/Floppy and SATA cables) has been twisted, and while I much prefer this to regular cabling, it does have the side effect of pulling the cables tighter together and shortening the overall length. In my Antec P160 case, this made routing the wiring (hiding) impossible if I wished to power the bottom Hard Disk in the tray rack, but most folks who use regular Midi Towers will have no problems.
There is one feature I would like to see implemented on this PSU and that is a modular cabling system, although this will of course affect the currently .
Overall, there is not a lot wrong, and a whole lot right about this unit. Tagan have a well earned reputation for good power supplies and this one is a credit to their line-up. I have no hesitation in giving the Tagan TG480-U22 power supply our Recommended Award.
Pros: Quiet, Good price point, Lots of unique extras, Dual rail, Supports multiple mainboard formats, SLI ready, 4 SATA connectors, Tidy appearence overall
Cons: Molex/SATA leads an inch too short due to twisting in larger cases
Bottom Line: The Tagan TG480-U22 is a power supply that should be added to your very short list. It isn't a monster power house, it has no flashing lights and fans on all sides, and it doesn't have modular cabling. It does support multiple form factors including ATX12V for Dual 12v Rails (switchable), is very very quiet, tidy, an excellent performer and won't break the bank.
If you have any Questions or Comments about this or other articles here at Viperlair, feel free to discuss it in our Forums.
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