| Mushkin HP-580AP Modular 580W PSU |
| Reviews - Featured Reviews: Power | |
| Written by Olin Coles | |
| Monday, 04 December 2006 | |
Mushkin HP-580AP PSU
The power supply unit is the single most important part of any computer. Regardless of the system there is a given rule: whether it be a simple workstation with integrated components or an advanced gaming system with every fresh technology available, everything requires power to operate. As anyone who has suffered the failure of a low-end power supply will tell you: not all power supply units (PSU’s) are created equal. While every journalist has their own system for reviewing a power supply, my review will take a very detailed look at the Mushkin HP-580AP PSU at every angle and submit the unit to battery of torture tests in order to ensure it will provide any computer system with stable power. 
The next generation of power supplies has arrived with Mushkin's Enhanced series featuring RailFusion. The four 12V rails allow the PSU to distribute power more evenly, resulting in a more stable system. Available with 580 Watts, your power needs are met for even the most cutting edge components. Mushkins HP-580AP is designed to handle dual processors, dual graphics cards, and just about anything else you can throw at it - perfectly. Additionally, Mushkin's "Enhanced Thermal & Acoustic Design" will automatically vary the PSU fan speed depending on the system load and temperature, allowing for the most stable and quiet computing environment no matter what programs are running. About the manufacturer: MushkinFounded in 1994, Mushkin is best known for producing “Enhanced” memory modules. Located at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Denver, Colorado Mushkin provides performance enhanced computer products to users worldwide. Exceptional quality, enhanced performance and unparalleled customer support are what make Mushkin products the best in the industry.
Mushkin products include an enhanced power supply line and a complete selection of memory upgrades for desktops, servers and notebooks – we offer something for everyone from business user to gamer. Our enhanced memory products are available in several performance categories from standard to extreme, with our REDLINE series in a class of its own. Our Enhanced power supply line offers superb regulation and ripple characteristics, modularity and plenty of power to supply the most demanding systems. Features & SpecificationsThe standard features of Mushkin PSU's enable wide range compatibility with the latest connector and power standards. Also included are advanced power and thermal management with safeguards to protect installed components. 
VersaPlug - Mushkin's innovative slide-in 20/24-pin and 4/8-pin universal motherboard connectors allow wide-spread compatibility with motherboards using the latest ATX/BTX/EPS standards. Allows for an organized case and improves airflow by using only the required cables.
Enhanced Power Conditioning - The HP-580AP's components are selected to provide ultra-low ripple and superior regulation under varying load. Additionally, this unit features a heavy-gauge ground/return wire to further reduce noise and ripple. All these features provide ultra-low ripple (1%) and superior voltage regulation (1%) under all load levels.
RailFusion - When high draw devices exceed the maximum allowed current per 12V rail (20A), this feature combines the rails to avoid overcurrent shutdown. THe green LED on the back of the unit will illuminate when RailFusion is active. 
ActiveShield Technology - The HP-580AP PSU incorporates active protection for installed components. These protection measures include:
Power Factor Correction - Facilitated with the universal input 90VAC ~ 250VAC active PFC with the PF value 0.96 at 115V or 230V with the EN 61000-3-2, class D standards.Enhanced Thermal & Acoustic Design - Under light load, the fan speeds are reduced for quiet computing. When loading is increased, the PSU fan speeds are increased for proper temperature regulation. 
Packaging & ContentsPackaging may very well influence a purchase, or possibly even draw your eye to the product initially. Of course, a special value should be placed on protective packaging beyond the average, and the HP-580AP is no exception. The cardboard package which Mushkin uses is ideal for retail shelves and warehouses, but it is not suitable for standalone shipping and should be packaged with protective surroundings for shipping. However, if you are like most people including myself, the packaging is quickly discarded once you have the unit installed and it has survived initial break-in and testing. 
Included Components
(1) HP-580AP Power supply unit with 24-pin main connector with detachable 4-pin section, and a 12V 4-pin connector for single CPU systems 
The modular cable groups includes: 
As evidenced in the contents for the HP-580AP, the floppy connector is a soon to be extinct feature in the power supply industry. There has been a slow trend to remove this connector completely, but I suspect it will be at least another year before we have seen the last of it. Until the BIOS can be upgraded from a USB flash drive, there will be a need for floppy drives. 
It certainly appears as though Mushkin has concentrated on presentation with the Enhanced series of power supply units. The standard device connectors come with nylon protective braided covers, and the PCI-E VGA cables come with EMI ferrite cores and see-through covers which reveal the braided shielding. In addition, the length of each cable is 550mm from power supply to connector. It may seem unreasonable, but it would be beneficial to cover the connectors with protective rubber caps to avoid accidental contact with components which could result in a fire or electrical shock. This additional safety feature is not included with the Mushkin HP-580AP power supply units, but it is recommended.
Internal ComponentsThe internal view of the Mushkin HP-5880AP looks nothing like most other power supply units you might be used to seeing. The voltage regulator heatsinks are an improved design, and a pleasant departure from the sheared large-gauge aluminum you find in most other PSU's. Rather then use two separate 200V main power capacitors, Mushkin elected to use one 400V capacitor rated at 470uf. Overall, I did notice that Mushkin incorporated more electronic circuit board components in the design of the HP-580AP power supply unit then what is commonly used in other comparable power supplies. This design will most likely yield more stable power, however once you open the case to the Mushkin power supply (like I did for this review) your 5-year warranty becomes void. 
The HP-580AP power supply is so efficient that Mushkin has designed the single 120mm cooling fan to concentrate its draft onto the most critical components so it may operate at a whisper quiet noise level. In the HP-580AP, a single brushless 120mm fan is used. This size of cooling fan is very popular for use in power supply units, and with a 0.38A rating, it could move high volumes of air if needed; but the Mushkin Enhanced Thermal & Acoustic Design components will likely never push it that far. In all of my tests, this unit never make more then a slightly audible sound. 
Mushkin did not utilize any rubber grommets at the mounting locations, which appears to becoming an emerging standard for high-end fans. The fan is not equipped with standard power connectors, but rather a proprietary connector which houses the two power wires. Load Testing MethodologyPower supplies are not like most other computer components, where it is a simple matter of comparing the item to others in the same category. Power supply's are comprised of several different variables, such as maximum output, voltage regulation, and current ripple. Each of these variables must be analyzed with unique tools, which makes it a difficult product to properly review. I am well aware of what the more knowledgeable readers think about these power supply reviews: impractical and often useless. That's about to change. In the past, Benchmark Reviews has been guilty of the same thing nearly all of the other sites are guilty of: testing with a digital multimeter alone. So beginning now with this review, we are taking a corrected approach to testing PSU's and hope to offer the best analysis possible. 
Benchmark Reviews has researched the equipment necessary to complete the most thorough power supply unit review possible. We spent the time learning what it takes because the best possible PSU tests are what we want to give to our readers. But after discovering the prices on a programmable output DC power supply system, variable range load testing units, and a DC power analyzer (Oscilloscope), we felt that more than ten-thousand dollars worth of equipment would be far too cost prohibitive for testing a hundred-dollar power supply. So without compromising too much, we made a slightly less-expensive investment into a good quality Oscilloscope in order to test DC voltage regulation and AC power ripple. Together, the Oscilloscope and digital multimeter will offer readers the best measurement of power stability any review site could reasonably offer. Test System
Test Equipment
Test MethodologyOur testing process is comprised of measuring the AC current ripple, and the DC voltage regulation. There are several key steps, all of which allow us to measure and record our readings using the identical methods for every test we perform. Consistent testing methods are key to obtaining comparable results. At the start of every test, the Velleman PCSU-1000 Oscilloscope is calibrated to the PC-Lab2000SE software. After calibration is complete, the voltage on the 12V rails are measured and recorded with the Extech 450 digital multimeter to ensure comparable margin across all rails. Once the Velleman 60MHz probe has been grounded and attached to the 12V lead, our test system is powered on and left at the Windows logon screen for ten minutes. Once this lightly-loaded idle warm up period is complete, the Velleman PCSU-1000 Oscilloscope was allowed to run for one minute measuring the AC power ripple. Then once ripple is recorded, the 12V DC voltage regulation is recorded after another minute. After the results have been recorded from the light idle load, our test system then receives heavy load by utilizing the following tools: two console versions of the https://folding.stanford.edu/client operate and task each CPU core to 100%, hard disks are stressed by benchmarking each with HD Tach RW, system memory (RAM) is given a stress test with Lavalys EVEREST, and ATITool scans for artifacts which forced the video card into high-power 3D mode. After ten minutes of heavy load the power supply is again measured, and the AC power ripple and 12V DC voltage regulation results are recorded. Voltage Regulation & Ripple Test ResultsIn the test results below, it will be necessary to explain what you are viewing. In each image the AC power ripple is represented by the yellow trace line making up the waveform. While every personal computer power supply unit available to the retail market has some degree of measurable AC power ripple, it is most important that measurable AC ripple is very minor and does not create a large peak to peak voltage (Vpp) distortion. Stable, well-regulated power is critical to system stability and hardware longevity. AC Ripple at Light Idle Load
The waveform image above shows the AC power ripple under light idle load, which measured 24.9 mV. Note that there are several minor ripples above and below the baseline, and many major ripples, all of which occur inside of a 1ms recording frame. The waveform data recorded during the light idle load measurement is displayed in the chart below: AC Ripple Waveform Data at Light Idle Load
The waveform information above describes the actual measurements at light idle load. The average AC RMS ripple was 24.9 mV under light idle load, which is high. Here are the average AC RMS ripple measurments under light idle load for power supplies we have recently tested:
The waveform image below shows the AC power ripple under heavy load, which measured 12.70 mV. Note that there are several minor ripples above and below the baseline, and only a few major ripples, all of which occur inside of a 1ms recording frame. Now let's see how this power supply performs under heavy load: AC Ripple at Heavy Load
Under heavy load, the Mushkin HP-5880AP measured an average AC RMS ripple of 61.0 mV, which is considerably high. For more specific readings, see the waveform data table below. AC Ripple Waveform Data at Heavy Load
The Mushkin HP-5880AP offered very poor results in the idle readings, and they only got worse into the heavy load tests. Here are the average AC RMS ripple measurments under heavy load for other power supplies we have recently tested:
The power dropped down to no less than 11.88V, which means that even under heavy load there is very little chance that system stability will be affected. Under light idle load conditions the DC regulation averaged 0.38 Vpp, and the deviation increased to .50 Vpp under heavy load. The DC regulation data recorded at light and heavy load is displayed in the chart below: DC Voltage Regulation Waveform Data at Light Idle and Heavy Load
Many of the power supplies we test here at Benchmark Reviews have DC voltage regulation measuring above the 12V baseline more often than below. For obvious reasons, the diversion from the 12V baseline with increased voltage is more preferred than below it since dropping too far under 12V will cause a system to power off or recycle. Plainly put, no power supply is ever perfectly centered at 12V DC; instead they most often maintain a DC mean voltage higher than they are regulated at. ConclusionIn this review I have demonstrated how the Mushkin HP-580AP PSU has performed during the most essential and critical tests. Compared against the Antec TP3-650 three-rail system, the Mushkin HP-580AP power supply surprised me with less consistent voltage measurements with four rails, although system stability was not affected to any degree. I noticed that in all of my multiple readings for each test, the Antec TP3-650 voltage was always the same; which is why there is little change in the results above. To be honest, I really thought that Mushkin's four-rail system would provide some additional stability over a three-rail unit. At the time of this writing, the Mushkin HP-580AP 580W PSU is available at NewEgg for $139.99, which is a bargain since similar rated power supplies are priced higher with fewer features. Add to this price the fact that you will have a quad-rail power supply that can handle the most demanding load, and you have yourself a real winner. I recommend the Mushkin HP-580AP 580W PSU, it offers features above and beyond all competition, and enough power for hungry system; with a price and results prove it. But with the good comes the bad. I love the fact that this is top-shelf technology for such a reasonable price, but it cannot be ignored that with all these high-end features the 12V power readings consistently wavered. The Mushkin HP-580AP should have had no problem achieving better voltage regulation and less power ripple with a fourth 12V power rail.
Pros:
+ Extremely quiet operation Cons:
- Poor DC voltage regulation Ratings:
Final Score: 8.6 out of 10.
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