EVGA SuperNOVA 750 G2, 80+ GOLD 750W, Fully Modular, EVGA ECO Mode, 10 Year Warranty, Includes FREE Power On Self Tester Power Supply 220-G2-0750-XR

BACKGROUNDA little over two months ago, I began my search for a new desktop PSU. I started by pulling up Amazon’s top 100 best sellers list. The top 20 were overwhelmingly dominated by just one brand, so I began drilling down there. Almost immediately I found myself unhappy with the state of affairs reported for these units due to their many problems (e.g., abundant multiple DOAs and RMAs in succession; units which apparently ran well for a few days or weeks and then died, some peacefully, some with sparks or light as of a short circuit, a few by explosion, taking out with them everything in the desktop case. Frustrated, I turned to other brands as they caught my attention. The story with these was largely similar: too many problems, little evidence of any real QC, lots of hype, and apparent realization of claims only by random chance. By now at least three weeks had elapsed and I was angry. Was the entire PSU area one large crap field? I asked myself.I went back to the top 20 list again and noticed for the first time just a single entry for EVGA. (I didn’t know the brand. I’m not a gamer.) This quickly led me to the desktop 750 watt G2 (generation 2) PSU. (I later found that the G2 series was introduced around mid-2013.) At that time it had 35 reviews and a rating of 4.9. In a few days I had carefully read them all, spot-checked other product reviews in the EVGA line-up, and knew I had found my needle in the haystack!As I write this review, there are 236 reviews with a product rating of 4.7. Not all the reviews pertain to the G2 line (reflecting Amazon’s policy of aggregating reviews from all family lines). Some include units from about a year ago when for a short time there actually appears to have been a manufacturer assembly error with the 1000 watt and 1300 watt units in the G2 and P2 families. EVGA’s G2 and P2 PSUs are designed and made by the regarded Taiwan OEM Super Flower Company, which also provides PSUs for a hand full of other labels, including Enermax, NZXT, and Sentey. (I had already noticed by my own analysis of the reviews, before I was aware of the episode of manufacturing error, that the higher wattage units seemed to be having a disproportionate number of the more serious problems.) That was a very valid issue then, but the negative reviews (they have no expiration) still weigh down the products being made now, after correction of the issue around 1 October 2013. One or two reviews concern rebate issues, not PSU quality issues. Some of the reported problems may even have been at least partially self-inflicted. Nevertheless, with a larger sample, valid problems now have arisen (even a few of the kind which take out everything in the desktop). And what shall I say? The occurrence of incidents in the G2 PSU line is by my analysis considerably lower than with other brand offerings competing near this price point, but unfortunately not entirely absent: there remains a residual luck-of-the-draw element. Perhaps faulty installation or other latent problems with the PC receiving the new PSU were even factors in a few cases. While understanding the anger and pain which will be the lot of those who experience it, I must write based on my own experience, and I begin to do so below.The Quick-Look SUMMARY VERSION ReviewThe (essentially) totally-quiet operation of the PSU cooling fan and the lack of any coil whine have been abundantly documented in other reviews and need not be dealt with again here.The subjective quality apparent in the cables, the PSU, and even the packaging is the last word from every angle from which I can think to judge. (I have no test equipment or technical know-how to perform quantitative measurements.) There have been no performance issues or idiosyncrasies so far (after one month) with my installation. To me, this PSU seems over-the-top and I am thoroughly impressed and completely delighted. For peace of mind and many additional reasons, tangible and intangible, ten stars out of five are what I would award if I could.A JonnyGURU review made this salient observation: “EVGA tends to under-promise and over-deliver.” For at least once in your life, discover what it’s like to be overwhelmed with quality instead of hokum and to wallow in excellence. The next production run may not attain to the current production run, so grab this PSU now while it is still available.The LONG VERSION ReviewThe product presents in a handsome black corrugated cardboard box entirely encased in shrink wrap. The box is opened by cutting (use a small X-acto knife) a tough plastic QA seal located over an interlocking cardboard tab at the bottom center of one of the smallest faces. The box has a black plastic carrying handle centered in this smallest face. Once the QA seal is cut, that smallest face lifts up (open), permitting the entire top (one of the largest faces) to hinge open.What one then sees can be described as not only beautiful but (almost) breath-taking. Everything inside the box (including ALL inside surfaces of the box and the soft-ish foam packing material) is black. High quality and meticulous attention to detail seem everywhere apparent. It seems no exaggeration to state that every minutia of this product and its presentation has been carefully conceived, designed, and executed. For once, it looks like QC has been both real and at a high level. (At the time I actually made the purchase, the reviews (over 50) for this product were hovering closer to 5.0 than to 4.9. There were no 3-star, 2-star, or 1-star reviews. No smoke, sparks, or explosions; at that time, no DOAs or RMAs.)The PSU itself comes in a very nice (black) nylon case (with gold EVGA lettering) with a closing flap secured with a Velcro closure. This nylon case ships inside the cardboard box suspended between two (black) foam end-caps. Slipped in on top of the PSU nylon case and under the two end-caps is the handsome (black-covered) 36-page 5-language manual (quality paper, die-cut, quality printing) also downloadable from www.EVGA.com. A large and handsome (black) nylon case (with gold EVGA lettering) is provided for storage of unused/uninstalled cables and has a closing flap secured with a Velcro closure. Like everything else in the box, it bespeaks of quality.The first thing I inspected (by lengthy fondling and caressing) was the (black) PSU. The construction of the unit is solid. The fit and finish of all edges and corners are perfect, as are all surfaces. No cosmetic blemishes of any kind were found anywhere. The craftsmanship here is immaculate. There is even a small clear plastic disk over the stylized EVGA “E” in the center of the fan grill to protect its metallic finish and luster from tarnish. Affixed by static cling, this lifts cleanly and easily. (Don’t overlook its removal. I’ve wondered whether the few “fan noise” complaints reported might be due to that little plastic disk being sucked up into the fan area.)ALL the cables (except the 6” Floppy Disk Drive “adapter,” if one can label that a “cable”) are encased in handsome (black) woven nylon sleeving.ALL the cables at the PSU interface are latching.ALL the cables at the other end (the attached-device interface) are latching EXCEPT as follows:- The 15-pin SATA power cable connectors are non-latching. Depending upon your particular configuration of SATA devices, additional (extension) cabling may be needed.- The peripheral cable’s Molex connectors (regular size) are non-latching. As above, depending upon your particular configuration of peripheral devices, additional (extension) cabling may be needed.- The 2-pin part of the 6-pin + 2-pin VGA power cables is non-latching (it is too narrow for a latch; the 6-pin part is latching).- The Floppy Disk Drive adapter cable (about 6” and connecting to a peripheral cable Molex connector [regular size]) is non-latching at both of its ends.I inspected EACH cable by lengthy fondling and caressing. As before, everything I saw bespeaks of quality. There were no “oh-oh!” moments. Neither the cables nor their connectors feel in any way “cheap.” In fact, the cables have a reassuring hefty feel to them. All connectors SEEMED soundly attached.Note that the “main cable” or motherboard-powering cable consists at the PSU interface of two separate parts: a 10-pin (left-most) part and an 18-pin (right-most) part. Both parts (latching) must be connected to the 28-pin PSU interface. The motherboard connector (latching) at the other end of this cable is a solid (non-breakable) 24-pin entity. It is NOT of the 20-pin + 4-pin variety. If you happen to have a 20-pin motherboard connector, you will need to obtain an inexpensive 24-pin to 20-pin adapter/adapter cable.Note that JonnyGURU reviews (see references later) for the 1000 watt and 850 watt versions pointed out modular cable “connector contact issues” with his motherboard cable. (“The ATX [motherboard] cable in particular had a few loose connections in it that produced some voltage swings when I pushed on it.” That is, pushing in on the wiring harness where it enters the plastic connector [whether at the PSU interface or at the motherboard interface is not clear; it could be either or both] caused very small voltage fluctuations and thus the theoretical potential of losing/corrupting data due to power fluctuations.) I had already done my install before I knew about this review/problem. Even though I’ve had no problem so far, I thought to myself “it-wouldn’t-hurt-to-have-a-high-quality-spare-motherboard-cable-lying-around; they-can’t-be-that-expensive.” Perhaps I didn’t employ the best/correct descriptive terminology, but in several quick Internet searches I found no individual replacement motherboard cables! (mobo extension cables, yes; complete whole modular sets, yes)There is ± 2% voltage regulation of the three regulated positive voltages (+ 12, + 5, and + 3.3). This degree of “tightness” is relatively rare (especially at this price point) and is indicator of the high quality of this PSU. Many top-of-the-line PSUs regulate to ± 3%. The ATX standard only requires ± 5% here. (The + 5 standby voltage need be only nominally regulated.)DC-to-DC Converter technology has been used in PCs in various places for quite some time. This means that the regulated + 5 volt and + 3.3 volt currents are derived directly from the + 12 volt current rail of the PSU. This is more energy-efficient than having dedicated + 5 volt and + 3.3 volt transformer taps along with their voltage regulators. There is less waste heat to dissipate. This design technology maximizes the + 12 volt rail current output, permits faster dynamic current response, and increases system stability. It undoubtedly also is a large contributor to the tight ± 2% positive voltage regulation.The EVGA G2 and P2 PSU series are based on the Super Flower Leadex (SFL) platform designed and built by the well-regarded Super Flower Company OEM based in Taiwan. The Super Flower brand can be imported from Europe but is itself not directly available in North America. In essence, in the current time frame, the EVGA G2 and P2 series ARE (exclusively?) the Super Flower product in the USA. I commend the following JonnyGURU reviews which cover many technical considerations and measurements (though his final ratings are somewhat subjective and informally breezy, and his write-ups are characterized by chronic, annoying, and puerile inner monologues, apparently as of a frustrated standup comic). Anyone interested in the EVGA G2 series of PSUs should read ALL of the following reviews to get an enlarged picture both of the G2 series and of the SFL products on which they are based. (The budget-targeted EVGA B2 product – ultimately SFL-based, though at a budget level – is included for contrast because I found the review.)JonnyGURU review linksSFL 1300 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=367SFL 750 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=370EVGA G2 1300 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=349EVGA G2 1000 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=346EVGA G2 850 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=377EVGA G2 750 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=380EVGA B2 750 watt http://www.jonnyGURU.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=393The EVGA 750 watt G2 PSU (which more than meets my needs) is the smallest in the G2 family, which runs up by several models to 1600 watts. I don’t see how it gets better than this at any reasonable price I can afford to pay for a PSU. And it comes with an industry-unprecedented 10 year warranty, still another indicator of its quality and additionally indicative of what EVGA/SFC have poured into this G2 series, earlier manufacturing error episode (SFC’s fault) aside.

Amazon once again helps us to fulfill all of our shopping needs. This Christmas we are surprising our daughter with all the component that she need to build herself a computer that will definitely make her classmates jelly. Computer assembly isn't difficult for noobs, but to the uninformed saying that your built your own is definitely impressive. With each system you need to make sure that you purchase certain components. This is what we got her:1. Case: Thermaltake Versa N21 Translucent Panel ATX Mid Tower Window Gaming Computer Case Cases CA-1D9-00M1WN-00 - This case is a simple sleek design that will help protect the vital components from her younger sister's tiny fingers.2. Power supply: EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G1, 80+ GOLD 650W, Fully Modular, 10 Year Warranty, Includes FREE Power On Self Tester, Power Supply 120-G1-0650-XR - This power supply was one of the highest rates, quality built, cost effective supplies available.3. Motherboard: Gigabyte LGA 1151 Z170 2-Way SLI UEFI DualBIOS ATX DDR4 ATX DDR4 NA Motherboards GA-Z170XP-SLI - We chose this Motherboard because it will allow us to add up to three m.2 SSD hard drives at a later date, perhaps her birthday.4. Processor: Intel Core i5 6600K 3.50 GHz Quad Core Skylake Desktop Processor, Socket LGA 1151, 6MB Cache (BX80662I56600K) - Every computer needs a good processor. Intel currently leads in performance (Sorry AMD)5. Heat Sink: ARCTIC Freezer Xtreme Rev. 2 CPU Cooler - Intel & AMD, Twin-Tower Heatsink, 120mm PWM Fan - Heatsinks are important to help transfer heat away from the processor and help to avoid it from overheating. Water cooling is very effective but introduce additional points of failure. We chose this because she isn't heavy into gaming but it will allow her to explore.6. Ram: Corsair memory kit 16.0 DDR4 2400 MT/s (PC4-19200) (QTY:2) - 32gb of ram is a bit overkill but provides additional room for growth.7. Video Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 1080 SC GAMING ACX 3.0, 8GB GDDR5X, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 08G-P4-6183-KR - This video card it is a bit of overkill for her, a EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB GAMING, ACX 2.0 (Single Fan), 3GB GDDR5, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Cards 03G-P4-6160-KR is more affordable and in line with her fascination for World of Warcraft.8. Hard Drive: Seagate 1TB BarraCuda SATA 6Gb/s 64MB Cache 3.5-Inch Internal Hard Drive (ST1000DM010) - Seagate makes a quality product, I have used them for years. I have a network drive with one of their hard drives that has been running since 2009. 1TB is sufficient for her needs.9. Optical Drive: LG Electronics 14x SATA Blu-ray Internal Rewriter without Software, Black (WH14NS40) - This is only needed if she has a need for playing/recording DVD or Blu-ray discs. To watch Blu-ray movies will require purchasing additional software.10. Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit - I prefer to use to the professional versions of windows as it allows me greater control of the operating system and aides in the monitoring and protection of the system from the youngins'11. Antivirus: Norton Security Premium - 10 Devices [Key Card] - I use Nortons to help protect all of my computers for one low cost. There is only one computer in our household with a different AV and i've had to clean a couple viruses off of it.