Introduction

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

Enermax's MAXREVO series only consisted of two units so far, and we can easily say that the series wasn't one of the priorities of Enermax, since they have been paying much more attention to the flagship Platimax line; that is, until recently. Enermax has recently added a 1500W unit to the MAXREVO line-up. It, with some small differences, utilizes the same platform as the Platimax 1550W and LEPA 1600 W. The new MAXREVO 1500 W comes in two versions: one for the EU and one for the US. The unit for the EU zone is model number EMR1500EGT, only takes 220 to 240 VAC power input, and has one universal input. The EMR1500EWT is currently available in the States and has, since it can operate with 115 VAC, been certified by the 80 PLUS organization, gaining the Gold efficiency badge. We will test the EU model, the EMR1500EGT, in this review.

The EMR1500EGT promises up to 94% efficiency and, like the other MAXREVO units, utilizes a state of the art platform/design to achieve its monstrous capacity along with top performance. It, according to Enermax, utilizes a specially designed transformer, which allows for increased efficiency and is also equipped with a copper-bridge array that delivers all rails to the modular panel at greatly reduced energy loss and lower voltage drops. The EMR1500EGT uses a fully modular cabling design that includes eight PCIe connectors (two less compared to the Platimax 1500 W and the LEPA 1600 W) and two EPS connectors, all of which are available at the same time. Finally, Enermax equipped the EMR1500EGT with six +12V rails, a twister-bearing fan for lower noise output and increased lifetime, and nothing but Japanese caps to ensure that the PSU operates without a hitch for years, since they tend to last much longer than Taiwanese and Chinese caps.

As you can see, the big MAXREVO has all the required features to claim a top place in its category. Its main competitors are the Platimax 1500 W and the LEPA 1600 W unit.

Specifications

Efficiency does, according to Enermax, reach 94%, but that value cannot be certified officially by the 80 PLUS organization because the unit only takes 220-240VAC input and 80 PLUS only tests desktop PSUs with 115VAC. This PSU has a monstrous capacity and can, to make things even better, deliver its maximum continuous output at up to 50°C ambient. On top of that, it is equipped with all protection features, including the rare but essential OTP (Over Temperature Protection). To provide an increased lifespan, along with reduced noise output, the unit's fan utilizes twister bearings. It also has a strange diameter because of a patent for 140mm fans!
The unit's dimensions are rather small for its capacity since the length is only 20mm bigger than the standard. Its weight is low for a PSU of this category, something mostly due to the lack of fixed cables. Finally, the big Enermax is backed by a five year warranty, and its price is intimidating if you look at it without examining its features.


So many watts require enough +12V rails to be handled properly and Enermax equipped the EMR1500EGT with six of them. 30 A max current output on each +12V rail ensure that even high-end Graphics Cards don't trigger OCP unless you overload any of the rails by accident while connecting your system's components to the PSU.
The minor rails are quite strong with 140 W combined, a power level that will most likely never be utilized by a modern system. The 5VSB rail has sufficient power for this category with 4 A max current output.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

The big Enermax has eight PCIe connectors and two EPS ones, all of which are available at the same time. The other mega-PSUs (Platimax and LEPA) have ten PCIe connectors, but we are not going to complain about "only" having eight connectors on the EMR1500EGT because most users simply won't need more. They can, even if they need more, buy an additional PCIe cable to reach ten PCIe connectors since there is a free socket on the modular panel. The number of SATA and peripheral connectors is great and will easily covers all uses.
Overall cable length is adequate and our only objection is the length of the second EPS cable. Making it 65 cm long, like every other cable of the unit, would be nice. The distance is long enough among all connectors and won't cause any headaches during cable management.
A few words about the wires that the connectors use. The 24 pin ATX, along with the EPS and the PCIe connectors, use thicker 16 AWG wires. All other cables are equipped with 18 AWG, which is the minimum recommended wire size by ATX spec (for most cases at least).

The following graph shows how the virtual +12V rails are distributed on the sockets of the modular panel.



Power distribution on the modular panel is exactly the same as the other MAXREVO PSUs and the higher capacity Platimax PSUs.
The 12V1 rail should ideally power at least half of the peripheral/SATA sockets and not only the 24pin ATX connector. The 12V2, which feeds the first EPS connector, could also feed the other peripheral/SATA sockets. You should, in case you need the second EPS/ATX12V connector, connect its cable either to the middle top socket or to the top right socket that are fed by the 12V4 and 12V6 respectively. These rails provide power to a single 12pin socket and to the peripheral sockets, so don't mix any PCIe connectors with this EPS, something that could lead to OCP activation.