Zippy Serene (GP2-5600V)
by Christoph Katzer on September 3, 2007 1:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Package and Appearance
The Serene comes in a similar box similar to the G1, and we need to complain about the same issue again. The box is a little too small for this PSU and therefore the two pins that hold the hook press against the box. We also didn't find any protective foam which could protect the power supply against force from outside. This means if the box is dropped or banged around during shipping, it is very likely that the PSU will have some form of damage. On premium priced power supplies, we feel that manufacturers need to hold themselves to a higher standard on packaging.
When companies target the high-end enthusiast market, there are often expectations about what is necessary as well is what is actually required. Many enthusiasts appreciate getting some extras, but at the same time there are others that already have all the zip ties, badges, lanyards, etc. that they need -- anything else is just clutter and extra cost that could have been spent on improving the quality of the primary component. Zippy chose to target the latter group of enthusiasts, and we found just the needed items for installing this PSU. Hopefully that means that Zippy focused more on the inside of the PSU, which is a perfectly acceptable approach if it holds true.
Looking at the PSU, this certainly seems to be the case. It comes in a very simple black color and the focus is on quality and performance rather than flash. A little green LED on the rear serves as a quick temperature gauge: if it's green then everything is supposedly okay. It doesn't appear to change color, and we didn't ever see it turn off during testing regardless of the ambient temperature, but perhaps we just didn't let things get hot enough.
The Serene comes with a single 80mm fan that pulls air through the power supply. On the other side we can see openings so the air can enter the PSU. Unfortunately the openings are just on the middle section and to the right. On the left side there are no openings that could let some fresh air cool down the capacitors and coils of the secondary side.
The Serene has a slightly different fan mounted than the G1 does. With just 0.11A the fan will run a little quieter than what we saw with their Gaming G1. Part of the reason for the different fan is related to efficiency: given two 600W power supplies, the one with higher efficiency will not get as hot as the one with lower efficiency. There is less heat generated and therefore a slower fan can be installed, which naturally should produce less noise.
The Serene comes in a similar box similar to the G1, and we need to complain about the same issue again. The box is a little too small for this PSU and therefore the two pins that hold the hook press against the box. We also didn't find any protective foam which could protect the power supply against force from outside. This means if the box is dropped or banged around during shipping, it is very likely that the PSU will have some form of damage. On premium priced power supplies, we feel that manufacturers need to hold themselves to a higher standard on packaging.
When companies target the high-end enthusiast market, there are often expectations about what is necessary as well is what is actually required. Many enthusiasts appreciate getting some extras, but at the same time there are others that already have all the zip ties, badges, lanyards, etc. that they need -- anything else is just clutter and extra cost that could have been spent on improving the quality of the primary component. Zippy chose to target the latter group of enthusiasts, and we found just the needed items for installing this PSU. Hopefully that means that Zippy focused more on the inside of the PSU, which is a perfectly acceptable approach if it holds true.
Looking at the PSU, this certainly seems to be the case. It comes in a very simple black color and the focus is on quality and performance rather than flash. A little green LED on the rear serves as a quick temperature gauge: if it's green then everything is supposedly okay. It doesn't appear to change color, and we didn't ever see it turn off during testing regardless of the ambient temperature, but perhaps we just didn't let things get hot enough.
The Serene comes with a single 80mm fan that pulls air through the power supply. On the other side we can see openings so the air can enter the PSU. Unfortunately the openings are just on the middle section and to the right. On the left side there are no openings that could let some fresh air cool down the capacitors and coils of the secondary side.
The Serene has a slightly different fan mounted than the G1 does. With just 0.11A the fan will run a little quieter than what we saw with their Gaming G1. Part of the reason for the different fan is related to efficiency: given two 600W power supplies, the one with higher efficiency will not get as hot as the one with lower efficiency. There is less heat generated and therefore a slower fan can be installed, which naturally should produce less noise.
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16 Comments
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irev210 - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
Zippy is used in the best servers built buy Sun/Tyan/HP etc.That is why I personally love zippy. They are built like tanks with quality being #1.
While seasonic makes good PSU's, they are not built like zippy. For average consumer, they do not need such overdesigned PSU's. Seasonic will work fine.
For those that want absolute best/most durable pick zippy.
Phlargo - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
It's amazing just to check out these reviews to see what wonderful combinations of features and performance these companies can create. Seriously, 89% efficiency is impressive there aren't a lot of areas in our world we can boast this kind of input->output efficiency.Even if it isn't totally silent and or perfect in other ways (and it consequently doesn't elicit my purchase), it's an impressive piece of hardware and a great review.
I'm really enjoying the detail and care that is put into these power supply reviews - great methodology and thinking!
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I agree the reviewer takes very seriously what he is doing.I also must say though that eficiency is not the only criteria for purchasing a PSU!
It is very possible to have a highgly efficient PSU and at a later date have to RMA it.
Efficiency does not equate to quality and longevity!!
I see no reason to chose that PSU over say a Corsair....
John - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
It's been almost 2 months and there are still no ripple results. Are you stockpiling reviews? Have you received an o-scope yet? ;)If we look at the graphs both the 3.3V & 5V come close to going out of spec, and the 12V had a ~.4 drop. The fan is far from quiet. Efficiency and "build quality" aside, I really don't see what's so special about this psu. Why would I want to purchase this particular Zippy over a Corsair HX620? Corsair (Seasonic) gives us a total of 4 PCIe connectors (2x 6-pin & 2x 6+2-pin), modular cables, 105C rated industrial caps, quiet fan, and a 5 yr warranty with one of the best RMA's in the business.
Price and availability has always been a problem with Zippy. What's the RMA turnaround time?
On a lighter note thanks for cutting the number of pages in half.
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I think we have a different opinion about reviews in total. When I am searching a product I don't need anybody telling me that I need to buy that PSU. I would rather like to see different reviews and build my own opinion. Where we would be when I would tell you marketing reasons why to buy this PSU and not any other Corsair one? From your post it's already clear you don't see the point of choosing Zippy and that is everything a review is about, isn't it?In case of ripple... We will have ripple results as well as many other additional ones. It just took a little longer than expected.
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I also noticed no ripple results but in the scheme of things do we really want to be doing everything exactly the way other sites seem to mirror each other in how they test there PSU`s?Seems to me like the information given here is accurate and well written and very useful.
Even without ripple results! ,-- albeit would be a nice touch:D
These other sites that say they refuse to read your reviews due to no ripple results is so bogus. let`s say 20 people at mosts when Anands site has how many thousands who read everything?
I find it interesting the only people complaining about the lack ripple results are other people who test PSU`s or think they know ...ok now to move on....
As with the first Zippy PSU tested I see no glaring reason to choose the Zippy over any of the top quality PSU`s that Seasonic makes using the Seasonic name as well as being the OEM for other brands.
As with othr top quality PSU..namely the PC Power & Cooling there fan is also loud but hey it doe the job!!
I am not convinced that modular cables are a plus or a minus..possibly more of a preference that being good or bad.
Then we have cables coming out of the PSU not being posibly adequately secured.
Finally--- prices will likely be in the $170+ range, which is a lot to pay for a 600W PSU. On the other hand, the Zippy Serene is one of the best power supplies we have seen so far and should bring very stable and reliable service to any owners.
So we know that PSu`s such as Zippy and PC Power & Cooling as well as a few other have been known to last a very long time. Even past the warranty period!
But can we conclude the same about the new Zippy`s coming out or shoul we say we need to wait and see??
To RMA the thing could be a real nightmare...we will see....when they bcome available.
A very all very well written review!!
Just don`t get caught up trying to please 20 people from other sites....when you are out to please the members of this site and once again not the 20 or so members of other sites who visit here every so often!!
Peace!!
John - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
It's not a matter of copying other sites, it a matter of supplying the necessary information to gauge the quality of a psu. ATX spec lists an acceptable range for ripple, and some "high quality" and a lot of "low quality" psu's go out of spec which can contribute to premature hardware failure. I just cannot fathom how someone can afford a Chroma 61604 and not a ~$200 o-scope for testing ripple. If Christoph didn't think ripple was worth measuring he wouldn't keep saying "ripple results coming soon....."Christoph Katzer - Wednesday, September 5, 2007 - link
Actually my o-scope was more expensive than the parts of the Chroma: Tektronix TDS3014BChristoph Katzer - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
For my personal use I would prefer every main stream PSU since the RMA will be quick and without problems. It's the same like when you are driving a Toyota or a Ferrari. Which one will be quicker repaired once sth is wrong?Zippy does simply not have anybody in the US with the proper equipment to change components etc. They will let the company send it to them and then an engineer will have a look at it. Corsair takes a new PSU out of the stock and sends it to you.
For example the top brand in Germany "be quiet!" has the service of changing your faulty PSU within 48hrs. They just send you a new one and take your old one with them and probably throw it away. So who would not prefer to buy such a PSU?
JEDIYoda - Tuesday, September 4, 2007 - link
I agree and we can also add to that list of turn around time when doing an RMA several othr companies. Such as PC Power & Cooling!I had a friend have to RMA his and all he did was call them and his replacement was sitting at his front door the next day. Thatwas even before he had a chance ship the bad unit.
BTW he had to pay nothing out of pocket. Yep--24--48 hrs is awesome !!
you are corrct Chris!!