Introduction

We would like to thank Enermax for supplying the review sample.




Enermax is one of the well-known PSU OEMs around, since they have been a part of the market for quite some time, with lots of well-performing high-end offerings in their portfolio. Today, we will evaluate one of their low-capacity units, which, although very affordable, still comes with many interesting features, including 80 Plus Gold efficiency. The Revolution X't line consists of four members with capacities ranging from 430 W to 730 W, and we have already reviewed the 630 W (ERX630AWT), which achieved good overall results in our tests. The smallest member of this line, the ERX430AWT, will now be put to the test to prove its worth.

Although it is small in both capacity and size, the ERX430AWT has several aces up its sleeve. It not only features Gold-certified efficiency, but also comes with a semi-modular cabling design and is Haswell ready. Enermax even equipped it with the heat-guard function, which keeps the PSU up and running for 30-60 seconds after the system shuts down to dissipate any residual system heat, increasing this PSU's lifetime. The unit's compact dimensions will also prove very helpful during its installation in especially small cases, which is the ideal place for a PSU of this capacity. There is also its very affordable price, which will make it interesting to users on a tight budget, but in need of a branded PSU for a small system where a stronger PSU would simply be too strong and a waste of money.

Specifications

As has already been mentioned, this unit is 80 Plus Gold certified and Haswell ready since it employs DC-DC converters to generate the minor rails. It also exploits a semi-modular cabling design and is equipped with all important protection features, including the ever-so-crucial OTP (Over Temperature Protection) feature. A twister-bearing fan, reliable and quiet, is used, and Enermax chose not to include a semi-passive operation option. At five years, the provided warranty is pretty long, and the unit is affordable, especially if its Gold-certified efficiency is taken into account.

The single +12V rail can deliver up to 35 A of current, which is enough for a mainstream system with a mid-level VGA. Moreover, the minor rails are strong enough for today's needs, and the same goes for the 5VSB rail.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

There are enough connectors for this unit's capacity. All cables are also pretty long, with the distance among connectors enough to cover nearly any scenario. All connectors use 18AWG gauges.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, there is nothing to comment on when it comes time to talk about its power distribution.

Packaging

At the face of the box and in large yellow font is the series name, with the model number near the bottom-right corner, right next to the 80 Plus Gold badge.


Several icons on this side give away some of the unit's most interesting features—namely, its Gold-certified efficiency, the heat-guard function, all-flat cables, twister-bearing fan, semi-modular design and Haswell support.


Here is a pretty long features list. Enermax insists on describing the 80 Plus Gold efficiency as 87Plus ready, an attempt at explaining to the more inexperienced what Gold-certified efficiency entails.


On the back of the box is a table with the power specifications for each member of the line, and another table lists the connectors each Revolution X't unit provides. A nice scheme also explains the functionality of the heat-guard feature, and another scheme shows the anatomy of a twister-bearing fan. The back even mentions the unit's hybrid modular cabling design with nothing but flat and black cables and its ErP Lot 6 2013 compliance, a must-have for every product sold in the EU.

Contents

A bag comprised of several large air compartments protect the PSU to make sure it reaches its destination completely unscathed.


The bundle includes the cord-guard clip, which secures the AC cord in place, some Velcro-straps, a set of fixing bolts, a case badge, the user's manual, a nylon pouch for the modular cables, and the AC power cord.