Enermax MODU82+ PSU: high efficiency, but at what cost?

Conclusion

To ensure that the power supply received a full workout that could be controlled in a granular fashion, it was connected to a testing harness that loaded the lines whichever way we liked.

We've included numbers from Corsair's popular HX620W as a comparison.

PSU		+12V1	+12V2	+12V3	+5V	+3.3V	-12V	+5VSB	Input power (W)	Ideal output (W)	Actual output (W)	Efficiency (%)	Ambient temp. (°C)	PSU temp (start,°C)	PSU temp (finish, °C))	Temp. delta (°C)
	Readings under load							Power & efficiency				Temperatures
Enermax MODU82+	Voltage	12.21	12.08	12.102	5.107	3.315	-12.382	5.085	744	627.9	634.38	85.3	17	19	35.5	16.5
Enermax MODU82+	Current	12.5	18.75	18.75	2	3	0.25	1	744	627.9	634.38	85.3	17	19	35.5	16.5
Corsair HX620W	Voltage	11.7775	11.79	11.835	4.725	3.0525	-12.4675	4.8525	756.4	636.9	621.21	82.1	20.5	20.5	30	9.5
Corsair HX620W	Current	15	14	14	14	13	0.25	1	756.4	636.9	621.21	82.1	20.5	20.5	30	9.5

Performance

Our under-load testing shows that the Enermax MODU82+ does produce high efficiency when pushed to the limit, providing over 85 per cent from a 230V AC source - a figure that falls in line with what Enermax disseminates.

One slight concern lies with the temperature delta between the start and finish of the test, which is considerably higher than Corsair's.

Final thoughts

The Enermax MODU82+ does pretty much what it says on the tin, in that it provides a quiet-running, high-efficiency power supply that goes about business with the minimum of fuss. It's whisper-quiet at medium loads and doesn't cause much of an issue when running at full chat, with the 120mm fan spinning along at around 1,500rpm.

The biggest problem in recommending it is the price. Currently available for around £99, the MODU82+ competes with a slew of 750W+ supplies that can match the feature-set but ship for some £15 less - the Akasa PowerMAX 850 being a case in point. Looking at similar wattages, Corsair's compared HX620W also ships at a significantly lower price-point, too

Relegated to the unpleasant limbo land of hardware excellence that's compromised by a high street price, the Enermax MODU82+ needs a price-snip of £20 to make it an excellent buy. As it stands, it's good, sure, but there's better value elsewhere.

HEXUS Awards

Enermax MODU82+ 625W

HEXUS Where2Buy

The Enermax MODU82+ is currently available at SCAN for £99.28

HEXUS Right2Reply

At HEXUS, we invite the companies whose products we test to comment on our articles. If any company representatives for the products reviewed choose to respond, we'll publish their commentary here verbatim.