Enermax Liberty 500w Modular PSU Review by NickS

[NickS]

Introduction
Well I had been pondering on the idea of a new PSU for a while now but never bit the bullet until recently. I wanted modular because of the wire management (and the lack of wires I use), and I wanted something a bit more powerful & efficient. So I looked around, read some reviews and settled on these three.

Silverstone Strider 600w
Corsair HX520w
Enermax Liberty 500wI asked around and two of my good friends owned Liberties. One owned the 500w version, the other the 620w. They both said it was an awesome unit for the money and will power almost anything. I was tight on cash, so I went with the Enermax because it was the cheapest of the three. This will be my 3rd Enermax PSU and I've loved all my previous ones, so we'll see if this one lives up to the quality I've come to know and expect from Enermax.

Taking a Closer Look
I received the PSU today from Newegg, and tore open the shipping box quickly. I was greeted by this.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2701%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2701%20copy.jpg)

Quite a nice box, and if you've ever owned an Enermax PSU before you'll notice it's nicer and cleaner than the previous ones.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2707%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2707%20copy.jpg)

They included a lot of accessories. Power cable, 5x Screws, 2x Enermax Holographic Magnets, a Manual, product brochure, etc. Very nice package.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2710%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2710%20copy.jpg)

Taking my first look at the unit was like being in computer hardware heaven. It's one of the nicest looking PSU's (aesthetically) I've seen to date, and I've seen a lot. The paint job is just phenomenal! The unit features 1x 120mm fan covered by a beautiful gold Enermax grille.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2713%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2713%20copy.jpg)

The PSU bombards you with a plethora of colors. It's really quite a nice sight. I absolutely love the black/gold theme.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2714%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2714%20copy.jpg)

The back features a very breathable punched out honeycomb design. It has a standard on-off switch, and a power socket.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2715%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2715%20copy.jpg)

The modular interface of this PSU is really nice. It's spaced nicely, color coded and is keyed so it's impossible to misplace a plug which could lead to damaged hardware.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2716%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2716%20copy.jpg)

Looking at the label, you can see all the specifications of this PSU. They're quite impressive for "just" 500w!

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2717%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2717%20copy.jpg)

I just had to show off the paint job to be honest. It's impeccable. Some people may think it's too "blingy" but I think it's just right.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2722%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2722%20copy.jpg)

The PSU uses the standard 20+4 Pin design for the ATX connector. The ATX connector is sleeved until about 2.5" to the end.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2724%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2724%20copy.jpg)

The PSU also has a 4+4 Pin design for the CPU power connector, my personal favorite. It also has a fan header so you can monitor the RPM of the 120mm fan.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2727%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2727%20copy.jpg)

The PSU's sleeving is different from the norm. It's a black/gold braided sleeve and looks really nice. All of the cables are sleeved until the first connector. While some may not like this, I don't mind it. It would be nice though, to see Enermax put forth that extra effort in the future to get the whole strand sleeved.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2725%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2725%20copy.jpg)

All of the cables included come in a nice Enermax Velcro pouch. This is a handy thing to include, especially if you only use two of the six cable strands included with the PSU. It'll keep them in one central spot and make them harder to loose.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2730%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2730%20copy.jpg)

The modular plugs go in gracefully yet tightly. They feel very secure and it'd be close to impossible to get them out without pressing on the tabs first.

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2739%20copy_thumb.jpg (http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/DSCF2739%20copy.jpg)

The PSU comes with three rubbery caps to cover your unused modular connectors. I'm guessing this is to prevent dust and debris from building up.

Testing
For testing, I let the PC idle at desktop. Then I measured the rails with a Radio Shack 15-Mode Digital DMM and measured wattage with a Kill-A-Watt. I repeated this while running Dual Orthos, and Dual Orthos + 3DMark 2003. I chose 3DMark 2003 because it is the most GPU reliant of the four 3DMarks.

System Config
3800+ X2 AM2 @ 2.8GHz 1.63v
DFI Infinity NF UltraII-M2 modded to SLi w/Evercool VC-RE
2x1GB G.Skill 1GBGA DDR2-667 @ 940MHz, 4-4-4-12 @ 2.3v
2x XFX 7600GT "xXx" 590/1600 Stock
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/16MB Cache
Lite-On 16x SATA DVD Burner
AquaXtreme 50z DC Pump
2x Yate Loon 120MM @ Front & Back
3x Panaflo M1A 120MM, 7v @ Rad
1x Lian Li 120MM @ Side
1x Protechnic Electric 80MM @ PWM
2x OCZ 60MM @ XTC Fan Cooler
1x Evercool 50MM @ Chipset
3x 12" CCFL's, 2x Inverters
Enermax Liberty 500w


Idle

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/idle-windesktop%20copy_thumb.jpghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/5vidledesktop%20copy_thumb.jpg


http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3vidledesktop%20copy_thumb.jpghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/idle-desktop%20copy_thumb.jpg

Orthos

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/orthossmallfftpower_thumb.jpg

I took a picture of wattage here. Voltages will be shown later.

Orthos + 3DMark 2003

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmark12v%20copy_thumb.jpghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmark5v%20copy_thumb.jpg

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmark33v%20copy_thumb.jpghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmarkwatt%20copy_thumb.jpg

Further Measurements (While running above test)

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmarkAMP%20copy_thumb.jpghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/3dmarkPF%20copy_thumb.jpg

Left, amps drawn. Right, power factor.

Conclusion

http://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/graph%282%29_thumb.pnghttp://upload.nickfire.com//files/1/enermaxreview/graph%283%29_thumb.png

As you can see, while the wattage went up the rails stayed very very stable. This impressed me thoroughly. It's a $104 Shipped (Newegg.com) modular PSU that is SLi compatible, has 8x SATA, 8x Molex, 2x PCI-E 16x, 8p/4p, and 24p connectors. It's an extremely future-ready PSU with enough connectors for ANYONE.

I highly recommend it to anybody looking for an amazing PSU. It's cheap enough for people on a tight budget, and good enough for people who can afford more expensive PSU's. There is also a 620w version for you people with 8800GTS SLi, etc.

For me, this PSU gets a score of 8.5/10 or a solid 85%.

Pro's
+Amazing Rail Stability
+Silence
+Size (SMALL!)
+1/2 Sleeved Cables
+Modular
+Good Packaging
+High Efficiency

Con's
-1/2 Sleeved Cables
-A tad pricey for some

Thanks for reading this review, and I can't wait to read all of your comments. :)

[|Aegi3|]

:banana: Awesome review, nice psu, SOLID rails, and the black and gold theme is definately :cool:

if there gonna sleeve half of the cable, why not do all of it:confused:

:woot:

[dicecca112]

what are you system are you powering with this PSU?

[NickS]

Oops, meant to add system config but I guess I forgot. Well, I added it and quoted 4 u :)

Sry



System Config
3800+ X2 AM2 @ 2.8GHz 1.63v
DFI Infinity NF UltraII-M2 modded to SLi w/Evercool VC-RE
2x1GB G.Skill 1GBGA DDR2-667 @ 940MHz, 4-4-4-12 @ 2.3v
2x XFX 7600GT "xXx" 590/1600 Stock
Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic
320GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 w/16MB Cache
Lite-On 16x SATA DVD Burner
AquaXtreme 50z DC Pump
2x Yate Loon 120MM @ Front & Back
3x Panaflo M1A 120MM, 7v @ Rad
1x Lian Li 120MM @ Side
1x Protechnic Electric 80MM @ PWM
2x OCZ 60MM @ XTC Fan Cooler
1x Evercool 50MM @ Chipset
3x 12" CCFL's, 2x Inverters
Enermax Liberty 500w

[oicurafox2000]

Looks very nice. Thanks for the time and effort put into this. Nice Pics aswell. :)

[NickS]

Thanks man :) Used my trusty FujiFilm FinePix A330 3.1 Megapixel.

[apex32]

Nice review, I'll probably pick up the same PSU.

[ScottFern]

Looks like a nice alternative to the Corsair HX520!

[G.Foyle]

I have the same PSU and I was impressed by exactly the same things: great look, top-notch quality. It's also very silent what you forgot to mention ;) Only mine came without rubber caps and hologrphic magnets :( but i got two different Enermax case stickers, one black-red and one red-white, and an Enermax keychain, so it's OK. This PSU is a real power, great for that price, i think much better than i.e. Seasonics in this price tag.

[NickS]

Yeah, I got the stickers too. Not the keychain though.

[Starscream]

bought the same one a few months ago.

im happy with it specially since they had labbeled it wrong and i only ended up paying 79 euro for it (instead of over 100).

the cables are a mix of 2 5,25 and 2 Sata power connectors wich i think is a pro and a con.
a Pro if u have a mix of Sata and 5,25 devices in an area but a con if u only need the 3 or more SATA or 3 or more 5,25 connectors in an area.

a pro is that u can buy special modular cables for the liberty.
they are from Enermax so will look exactly like the cables that come with the liberty.
they come in 3 versions. with 3 x SATA, 3 x 5,25 or ofc a mix of 2 SATA and 2 5,25
bought 2 a few weeks ago 1 with 3 5,25 and 1 with 3 SATA this so i wont have ot use any extra cables ot power my SATA HDs etc so the case will be cleaner etc.

[NickS]

I only need 3 cables total with that config, surprisingly.

Two of the regular ones minus floppy and a PCI-E.

[Starscream]

i got kind of the same setup as u have and would also only need 3 cables but i got 3 SATA HDs and 1 SATA optical wich required me to have 1 additional cable or to use alot of splitters to power the SATA devices.

Wich is why i bought the extra liberty cables. i hope Enermax wil keep using this modulair system so i can keep using the cables if id upgrade PSU oneday.

woulda been cool if they had included 1 of them all SATA cables in the package

[LittleDevil]

Nice PSU, and nice review too ;)

Best Regards

[G.Foyle]

All of the cables are sleeved until the first connector. While some may not like this, I don't mind it. It would be nice though, to see Enermax put forth that extra effort in the future to get the whole strand sleeved.

Enermax Galaxy, PCP&C TurboCool 1KW and most high-end Zippys also have cables slleved until first connector, so I don't think it's fair to treat this as a con and inferirity to other PSU's. You said you don't mind and I don't mind too, and whoever wants this PSU shouldn't mind too :)

[ymer]

Dude that was a great review for a great PSU, looking great.

[NickS]

Dude that was a great review for a great PSU, looking great.

Thanks dude :)

[WoutZoR]

Nice review :clap:

I got the same psu but mine differs a little bit...

http://woutzor.herejezus.com/meuk/Computer_Mods/PICT2365_thumb.JPG

The heat shrink tube isn't shrinked to the connector but just to the wires. Maybe I got a older revision :rolleyes: but still the p/n is the same as yours..

Its still a very good psu though a part of the little cosmetic mismatch :doh:

[NickS]

Mine are shrinked to the connectors :)

[jimmyz]

good review NickS, i just showed a friend your review as proof that the 500 is a well made power supply, i sold mine to him!! i loved it while i had it and never had any issues with it. i only replaced it because i went crossfire and knew it would be overloading it.(replaced with a pcp&c 750 silencer). i had my fully loaded oced rig (e6600,1900xtx,4drives,6fans,asus p5b w/2gb ram etc.) and it never even hiccupped!! and btw the psu wasn't babied, i use a vapoli v2000b and the psu is in the bottom with the compressor and condersor so it is quite warm.

anyone looking for a solid psu for a single card rig or even a midlevel dual card set-up should consider this psu or it's 620w brother.

[apt403]

Nice review, i have the 620w version. They are awesome PSUs. Although i didnt get those plactic cap things. I feel left out. :(

[Ashraf]

Reviewed by the 14 years old guy! Very impressive! :clap:

[apexracing]

Those caps must be something they started giving recently. I didn't get any with mine. :stick:

[NickS]

Reviewed by the 14 years old guy! Very impressive! :clap:

...15 :p:

[dinos22]

...15 :p:

lol half my age :p:

nice review Nick :toast:

[Dekara]

lol half my age :p:


Mine too :D .

NickS, that 's really great review, congrats.

[dinos22]

koji je to lik iz Alan Forda :)

[nikolas61]

lik je Veliki Cezar, sef poslovnice iz L. A.


hehe

[Dekara]

koji je to lik iz Alan Forda :)

That's Veliki Cezar,

Veliki Cezar - bivši gangster, šef podružnice grupe u LA-u. Okružen je zvijerima, gorilom Theodorom, crnom panterom Betty, psom Teddyem, a za njega rade izumitelj Lamp, te Bobova braća, Tim, Tom i Tumb.

Here is link(da se malo podsetis :) , komsija) ---->http://bs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ford_(strip)
I da se malo nasmejes---->http://bs.wikiquote.org/wiki/Alan_Ford

:wave:

[zert]

i have the same PSU, and i love it too !
it's really a great unit :toast:

[megatron]

has 8x SATA, 8x Molex, 2x PCI-E 16x, 8p/4p, and 24p connectors. It's an extremely future-ready PSU with enough connectors for ANYONE.

Agreed its a good PSU, but now the future holds 8socket graphics card connections. Maybe if we bug Enermax they can make us some cables? :)

[NickS]

This PSU will be really tested when I try an OC'ed QX6700, vmodded 8800GTX & 4GB of d9 on it later this week.

[serialk11r]

This PSU will be really tested when I try an OC'ed QX6700, vmodded 8800GTX & 4GB of d9 on it later this week.

holy f*** how are you going to get all that expensive stuff???

[NickS]

LOL, chill dude.

[[XC] Luckygriff]

Hey just a quick question about this psu. What is the cable length on the 4+4 12v connector. I ask cause I have a Antec P180 and need a new power supply with a longer cable.

[NickS]

Hey just a quick question about this psu. What is the cable length on the 4+4 12v connector. I ask cause I have a Antec P180 and need a new power supply with a longer cable.

I'll see if I can get an approximate size for you later :)

[megatron]

Hey just a quick question about this psu. What is the cable length on the 4+4 12v connector. I ask cause I have a Antec P180 and need a new power supply with a longer cable.

I am running the P180 and Enermax libery 500w, its long enough alright. The eternity connectors with the SATA and molex plugs on same wire makes slightly akward cable routing.

[Starscream]

Hey just a quick question about this psu. What is the cable length on the 4+4 12v connector. I ask cause I have a Antec P180 and need a new power supply with a longer cable.

its 60CM

@Megatron
if u dont liek the cables that have both SATA and molex power connectors you can buy seperate ones wich have only molex or SATA power connectors.
i got 1 of both.

[Tuppen^^]

Great job:D

[NickS]

Great job:D

Thanks :)

[Okda]

This PSU will be really tested when I try an OC'ed QX6700, vmodded 8800GTX & 4GB of d9 on it later this week.

Great job and i will be for sure waiting for ur review using the above listed items

[NickS]

Great job and i will be for sure waiting for ur review using the above listed items

http://xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=141505

Hehe, small update to this review. :shocked:

[Okda]

Thanks :)