Review: Atlas Succeeds With Power Demands

After several hours on two PC systems along with high power demands, the CRN Test Center concluded that ASUSTek's Atlas-50GA power supply unit produces a stable voltage supply and provides sufficient power to many high-end peripherals without a hitch.

In addition, the Atlas-50GA did not overheat at peak power consumption with either an Intel or an Advanced Micro Devices motherboard, and with two different power configurations. The AMD unit, for example, had a high-end graphics card and two extra hard drives. When engineers overclocked one of the CPUs, the Atlas-50GA still maintained a steady voltage supply.

The Atlas-50GA's operating noise produced acceptable levels when the unit's 12 cm cooling fan was operating. Because the power supply arrives with a noise-control circuit to regulate temperature, the Test Center found it generated little noise due to its automated fan speed control adjustments. Often, the fan operated at a low speed. In fact, over the entire testing duration, noise did not become a major factor for evaluation.

The Atlas-50GA produces two 12V rail output to power up peripherals and a processor.

The unit also has an EPS 8-pin connector. In addition, the Atlas-50GA comes with a 20+4-pin connector to satisfy Intel's 24-pin LGA775 and AMD's 20-pin K8 CPU configurations. The Atlas unit uses an active power factor correction to maintain a high efficiency load rate at its full input voltage range. According to ASUS, the Atlas-50GA can maintain 80 percent efficiency under typical loads.

The Atlas-50GA can power up to four Serial ATA drives, a 6-pin PCI Express motherboard and up to eight peripherals such as optical drives, hard drives and high-end graphics cards.

Two floppy drive connectors also are included for hard-drive installation.