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Cooler
Master ATC-210C Aluminium Case
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Author : Wayne
Date : 24th September 2002
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Hiper SF-420TS 420watt PSU :
The model we received for testing was the SF-420TS,
a 420watt active controlled cooling power supply with dual fans.
The range starts with the SF-350TS which I understand is a pretty
basic single fan 350watt unit and ranges up to the SF-520TS
and SF-650TS which are triple fan cooled 520watt and 650watt
units.
Rather than strip the unit down the manual very
obligingly featured a look at the internal workings so I used
that instead. The unit is quite weighty which is usually a good
sign unless you happen to find a brick in the bottom of the
casing. The box does actually state that the SF-420TS features
a speed detection 3 pin connector to monitor fan speeds but
this is either a printing error or is meant for one of the bigger
models, there was certainly no such connector on this one!
Isn't it strange how much better gold plated fan
guards look than the chrome variety? The SF-420TS features dual,
thermally controlled fans each with a gold plated fan guard.
There's also a master power switch and a cooling mode switch.
To help with corrosion and electrical conductivity
the connectors themselves are also gold plated. The main ATX
power bundle is braided to keep the individual wires neatly
together and makes for a neater appearance inside your case.
The cooling mode switch actually features three
settings. Position one or "A" sets the fans for thermostatic
speed control. Position two, or "L" is what Hiper
call "Silencer Run" which essentially reduces the
fan speeds to their minimum operating level regardless of temperature
while position 3 or "M" is for "Mid Speed"
which as you've probably guessed by now runs the fans at around
half full speed. The fans are apparently high quality dual ball
bearing fans designed specifically for "always on"
operation.
Taking a flick through the rated amperages things
look impressive enough. Compared to the respected Antec 400watt
PSU we see very similar specs with the Hiper having an edge
on the +5V line and the Antec having an edge on the +12V line.
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DC O/P Load
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Hiper Max
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Antec Max
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+5V
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42 Amp
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40 Amp
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+12V
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16 Amp
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18 Amp
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+3.3V
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28 Amp
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28 Amp
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-5V
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0.5 Amp
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1 Amp
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-12V
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0.8 Amp
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1 Amp
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+5VSB
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2 Amp
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3 Amp
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Testing :
I'm not too proud to admit I don't have the thousands
of pound worth of sensitive electronic jiggery pokery required
to properly test a modern PSU. The immense complexity of these
things is often lost on us because they've become so cheap but
make no mistake, the workings of a high quality switching power
supply borders on Voodoo to us mere mortals. Instead I did the
only thing I could, I loaded it to the gills with 8x 80mm case
fans, two neon tubes, two lengths of EL cable and four HDDs
and a Radeon 9700 Pro flogging its heart out running the Code
Creatures benchmark. While this was going on I monitored the
voltages and at no point did they drop below the proper voltages.
Reliability is something I'll be better able to tell you about
in around six months or so but on the face of it these are high
quality power supplies that are well able to match the best
that Enermax or Antec put their way. It was also incredibly
quiet in operation even on the thermostatically controlled setting
after some heavy duty gaming. They don't feature the more sophisticated
load monitoring circuitry or independent voltage rail structure
that Antec have introduced the their new TruePower PSUs but
they are otherwise very impressive so far as I can tell at this
stage.
Conclusion :
Aluminium cases are still a niche market, not
everybody wants to pay the price premium involved in owning
one no matter how cool they look and most enthusiasts already
realise that a well cooled steel case is no worse than a aluminium
case no matter how much more thermally conductive it may be.
Like fine wines, Rolex wrist watches and fast cars the benefits
from aluminium cases come from the knowledge that you own one
and that it's exquisitely engineered and beautifully put together.
It's about prestige as much as it is about real world benefits
but aren't most desirable things in life about prestige?
The ATC-210 is a very nicely engineered piece
of equipment with elegant looks and a well rounded feature set.
It shouts quality from every beveled edge and machined curve
and for those who appreciate the finer things in life this is
certainly a great addition to your collection. If you can live
with the minor problems like the lack of a plastic slide rail
on the motherboard tray and the awkward placement of the 3.5"
internal drive cage there's an awful lot to like and I'd have
no hesitation recommending it. All in all it's a very nice case
and one you'll cherish.
The optional power supply from Hiper is also a
class act, at least as far as I can reasonably say at this stage
of its long and punishing life. Turning in Antec/Enermax like
performance for a lower price takes some doing and although
it takes longer than a week to know how reliable a PSU is the
early signs are all good. If you need a good quality PSU and
can't be bothered shopping for your own then specifying a Hiper
unit certainly shouldn't leave you disappointed.
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A
huge 3DV thank you to Lawrence Lo and Cooler Master for getting
this case to us for review.
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