The Zalman Ultra Quiet Power Supply

Next we took the power supply out of the box, and we will be taking a look at how it feels and looks. Nope indeed, it is not a modular power supply as we are seeing more and more. Although that doesn't mean much, cause all depends on how the power supply performs. A modular PSU is quite easy to install and use just as you would like. Using just extension cables that are needed and by that reducing the maze of cables.

Yeah a bunch of cables come with the Zalman ZM460-APS power supply. All the individual cables are all sleeved to keep em together which will be very useful on reducing the maze of wires and for a more efficient airflow throughout the computer case. The power supply itself is sober with a black sleek finish, it feels soft though robust. The Zalman 460W is supporting Intel and AMD bases systems and features different protection such as short circuit, over voltage and over current shielding.

The PSU offers an ultra quiet operation by using a 120mm ball bearing fan with noise killer. The ZM460-APS only comes with one fan, but due the high efficiency this is more than enough to keep the power supply cool at full load. It also comes with a honey-combed iron backplate at the rear to get rid of the heat.

AC Input	Voltage			Current
	100V AC - 240V AC			7.5A - 3.5A
DC Max. Input	+5V	+3.3V	+12V1	+12V2	-12V	+5VSB
	28A	30A	16A	18A	0.8A	2.0A
Max. Combined Wattage	180W		360W		9.6W	10W
	441W				19.6W
Total Power	460W

Notice on the power specifications that there are two separate +12V lines. This is a nice feature that helps ensure you get clean power to your motherboard without worrying about other devices and peripherals taking any power. A power supply also needs to be fail-safe. This Zalman unit has Over Voltage Protection, Over Current Protection, Short Circuit Protection, Over Temperature Protection and Under Voltage Protection.

The sticker with the specifications on it is located at the side of the power supply. Both sides of the Zalman PSU are solid steel with no vents, this not only makes the unit look quite nice but also very robust. So we have one side at the back that has a honey-comb structure and all other sides are shut with solid black steel.

The Zalman 460W also stand for ultra quiet, and that means that a noiseless switching power supply. Well let's say almost noiseless. The CNPS refers to a system that reduces a conventional computer noise (30dB and more) to an inaudible level (20dB or less). Of course to create a true noise-free computer other noise-free products should be used together with this power supply.

This power supply also has Active Power Factor Correction (PFC). Active PFC is preferred over Passive PFC because it provides more efficient power frequency. This reduces total harmonics, corrects input voltage, and it allows for a full input voltage range. The disadvantage is that it increases the cost of the power supply. By implementing Active PFC, the power factor (PF) on this product is improved from 75% (Passive PFC) to 96% (230VAC, full load), while harmful harmonic frequencies are reduced below regulatory requirements.