Difference between these 2 Antec PSUs?

[deadman_uk]

I need to buy a new PSU since I am upgrading my graphics card and motherboard soon. Can someone tell me the difference between these 2 PSU and why? They are almost the same in price.

[size=+1]Antec NeoHE 550W Modular ATX2.0 PSU (CA-046-AN)[/size] [size=-1]
We’ve earned a stellar reputation for producing stable, reliable, industrial-grade PC power supplies. Install NeoHE in your own system, and you’ll understand why. You see, NeoHE packs an impressive array of features—an advanced cable-management system, full ATX12V v2.0 compliance, native support for top end PCI Express Graphics cards, unparalleled power efficiency, universal power input and much more—that allow it to deliver 550 Watts of supremely stable, reassuringly reliable, and virtually silent power.

- Advanced Cable Management System
- ATX12V v2.0
- Universal input automatically accepts line voltages from 100V to 240V AC
- Active PFC delivers environmentally-friendlier power
- Dual +12V rails provide plenty of juice for even the most power-hungry systems
- Includes special power connector for PCI Express graphic cards
- Dedicated circuits for each voltage output allow NeoHE to overcome combined-output limitations
- Voltage-feedback circuitry improves system stability by delivering extremely accurate power
- Temperature-response system ensures blissfully quiet operation
- Dedicated Fan-Only connectors allow NeoHE to control case fan speeds
- Over-temp and over-current protection, provide maximum reliability
- SATA connectors for your Serial ATA drives
- Low Speed 80mm fan delivers whisper-quiet cooling
- Gold-plated connectors for superior conductivity

Price: £69.95 [size=-2] (£82.19 Including VAT at 17.5%)[/size]


[/size][size=+1]Antec TruePower 2.0 550W PSU (CA-028-AN)[/size] [size=-1]
Our ground-breaking TruePower line has won over 50 awards around the world for its ability to deliver quality, stable power. So of course we've updated it completely. TruePower 2.0—poised to set the new standard for performance power supplies.

- Single 120mm low noise fan
- Dual 12V outputs, for stability and safety
- True Spec noise level of 21.3 dBA measured at an independent lab using ISO 7779 standard
- ATX12V 2.01 compliant. 24-pin main power connector with detachable 4-pin section for universal motherboard compatibility
- 4 Serial ATA connectors
- PCI Express graphic card power connectors

Full Specification

Price: £64.95 [size=-2] (£76.32 Including VAT at 17.5%)[/size]


Thanks
[/size]

 

[[Spectre]]

What kind of differences are curious about other than they are made (OEM'd) by two different companies?

The physical differences are obvious....the NeoHE will be more efficent and quieter but may not like an ASUS board depending on rev of both the board and the PSU. Etc......

 

[deadman_uk]

What kind of differences are curious about other than they are made (OEM'd) by two different companies?

The physical differences are obvious....the NeoHE will be more efficent and quieter but may not like an ASUS board depending on rev of both the board and the PSU. Etc......

What do you mean they are made by 2 different companies? they are both Antec... I dont understand.

I am buying an ASUS A8N-E Motherboard, will the Antec NeoHE 550W Modular ATX2.0 PSU be ok with this motherboard?[size=+1][/size]

 

[Bbq]

The makers of the psu is different. the NeoHE is made by Seasonic, and the True is made by Channelwell. They are about as different as can be.

 

[[Spectre]]

What do you mean they are made by 2 different companies? they are both Antec... I dont understand.

Antec doesn't actually make PSU's their PSU are made by Channelwell (CWT) currently (HEC previously) for the Truepower and Smartpower lines and Seasonic for the NeoHE line.

I am buying an ASUS A8N-E Motherboard, will the Antec NeoHE 550W Modular ATX2.0 PSU be ok with this motherboard?[size=+1][/size]

As for getting a NEoHE I would read the response from Antec about that issue: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1033928

If you can get the setup they specify there it should be fine.

Edit: Bbq you were fast

 

[deadman_uk]

The makers of the psu is different. the NeoHE is made by Seasonic, and the True is made by Channelwell. They are about as different as can be.

This is all new information to me. How do you know this? What does Antec mean then? Who is Antec in regards to the PSUs?

I am buying the following components within the next week..

- BFG GeForce 7900GT OC 256mb graphics card

- ASUS A8N-E Motherboard

- Western Digital 320GB SATA-II Hard drive

- Creative SoundBlaster X-fi Music sound card

My Antec Truepower 430P isnt powerful enough to power all this so I need a new PSU. Which out of the 2 would best suit me? You say the NeoHE one is better because its more efficent and quieter? Will this be compatiable with the new components I will be getting? and is this PSU any good?

 

[deadman_uk]

So let me understand this correctly.... ASUS A8N motherboards and this PSU are not completely compatiable. If i buy the NeoHE PSU and the serial is A3 or higher, I will be fine?

 

[[Spectre]]

This is all new information to me. How do you know this?

From the UL numbers among other ways.

What does Antec mean then? Who is Antec in regards to the PSUs?

Antec is just a company that orders a PSU from an OEM and puts their name on it (roughly they do a little more but they don't make their own designs from scratch....... as far as I have seen....... or do any manufacturing of the units). much like OCZ rebrands Topower made PSU's.

I am buying the following components within the next week..

- BFG GeForce 7900GT OC 256mb graphics card

- ASUS A8N-E Motherboard

- Western Digital 320GB SATA-II Hard drive

- Creative SoundBlaster X-fi Music sound card

My Antec Truepower 430P isnt powerful enough to power all this so I need a new PSU. Which out of the 2 would best suit me? You say the NeoHE one is better because its more efficent and quieter? Will this be compatiable with the new components I will be getting? and is this PSU any good?

So let me understand this correctly.... ASUS A8N motherboards and this PSU are not completely compatiable. If i buy the NeoHE PSU and the serial is A3 or higher, I will be fine?

Yes, the problems with the ASUS and the NeoHE were hit and miss.....there is a 10 or 12 page thread around here about it that is linked in the response I posted at the top of the page. If you can get the correct version of PSU and mobo then you should be fine.

 

[deadman_uk]

I will be buying my new components from overclockers.co.uk. I have just emailed them about this. I asked

1) What version number is the BIOS on all ASUS A8N-E motherboards you sell?

2) How new are your Antec NeoHE 550W PSUs? Left of the barcode on each NeoHE PSU is a 2 figure number. I am interested in PSUs that have the digits A3 or higher. This indicates the PSUs are newer than November 2005.

So providing the A8N-E motherboard has a BIOS version of 1.02 or higher and the PSU has a serial number of A3 or higher, I will be fine? If this is correct, then I understand completely.

 

[[Spectre]]

So providing the A8N-E motherboard has a BIOS version of 1.02 or higher and the PSU has a serial number of A3 or higher, I will be fine? If this is correct, then I understand completely.

That is correct

 

[deadman_uk]

Thanks alot for letting me know

 

[deadman_uk]

Oh, one more question... what does the word "[size=+1]Modular" mean in regards to the PSU?[/size]

 

[[Spectre]]

Oh, one more question... what does the word "[size=+1]Modular" mean in regards to the PSU?[/size]

It means you only use the cables need to connect devices since they have plugs on both ends and can detach from the body of the PSU. People like them for their looks, to help clean up cabling, etc.

 

[deadman_uk]

I emailed overclockers.co.uk (the company I am buying from) to ask about the ASUS motherboard and Antec PSU.

I asked what version BIOS the ASUS A8N-E had and what serial verson the PSU was (whether it was A3 or above). They replied back basically saying they dont know the answer to either of these questions.

I think I might have to just take a gamble and hope the motherboard's BIOS is at least 1.02 and the PSU is A3 or above. I am really suprised they couldnt give me basic product information...