Enermax Revolution D.F. 12
Enermax has new ATX PSUs with a length that is smaller than the SFX-L format. This makes them the smallest ATX PSUs currently available. The fan used is a bit smaller than usual, but its cross section hasn’t suffered that much. And also because of the presence of 16-pin 12V-2×6 cables (with shortened sense pins), we’re already dealing with the ATX 3.1 standard.
In an effort to create unique features (and thus gain a competitive advantage), Enermax introduces computer power supplies of unconventional dimensions. The housings of the new ATX models – Revolution D.F. 12 – have the usual 150 × 86 mm in two axes, but the third dimension (length) is already 122 mm, which is quite rare. Even the lower limit of shorter ATX power supplies is at least 140 mm.
In the case of the Revolution D.F. 12 PSUs, it is 18 mm less, which is a level (122 mm) at which even 125 mm SFX-L PSUs are too long. While the latter are smaller overall because they are both narrower and have a lower profile, if length is the limiting factor, better compatibility can still be achieved with the latest Enermax power supplies.
When looking at dimensions of a power supply, it is often also a matter of managing the cabling and achieving the greatest possible space saving. With SFX-L power supplies using ATX mounting adapters, although (compared to the ATX format) there is more space next to the power supply and possibly underneath it, although this is already “cooling space” that is not suitable to clog with cables, the only critical dimension may be the length. This is typically in situations where the length of the power supply also determines the minimum depth of the case in this respect. Or possibly the distance of the drive tray from the power supply. In this respect, the compatibility of Revolution D.F. 12 power supplies will be significantly better than other ATX models.
And compared to SFX-L power supplies, there may be an advantage in the lower price. In its own store for the U.S. market, the 750 W (ETV750G) Revolution D.F. 12 variant is priced at 130 USD and the 850-watt (ETV850G) is 10 USD more expensive, or 20 USD (the ETV850G-W white variant). The latter costs 150 USD. This is already at the same price as, for example, the Corsair’s performance-equivalent SF850L with comparable specs (including efficiency, which is supposed to be subject to 80 Plus Gold), but you still have to buy an ATX adapter to go with it, or you don’t have to.
Enermax power supplies are marketed for conceptually different cases. For those where none of the other available formats are a good fit. Enermax itself, which is also active in this segment (PC cases), may come up with PC cases optimized for such small ATX power supplies in the future.
The use of a smaller 115 mm fan may seem to be a disadvantage compared to other power supplies. SFX-L PSUs often have a slightly larger 120 mm fan. More than the actual fan size and cross-section, it’s the rest of the cooling design that will determine at what noise level the PSU will operate. Smaller fan size may not mean anything here, as even PSUs with larger fans have a shield behind the impeller that acts as a deflector. On the one hand it directs the airflow to the right places, on the other hand it reduces the overall airflow of the fan to a certain extent. If Enermax has chosen an efficient deflector shape, the cooling can be even more efficient than with power supplies with larger fans.
Regarding the fan, it is important to add that the D.F.R. (Dust-free Rotation) function is retained. This means that the fan first rotates in the opposite direction after start-up, to then shake off the dust on the blades in counter-motion. This is a kind of prevention against clogging of the interior. This does happen, of course, but perhaps to a slightly lesser extent than with competing power supplies with always unidirectional fan operation.
The Enermax Revolution D.F. 12 power supplies already support the ATX 3.1 standard, so 12VHPWR connectors are used along with the newer 12V-2×6 connectors. These are characterized by shorter sense pins, so unless you plug the cable on the PSU side properly, or correctly, the power supply through this cable will not work and there is a message for the user to take a second look at the quality of the installation. Good prevention.
English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš
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- Enermax Revolution D.F. 12
