Raidmax RX-470XP Power Supply

     How many times have you heard that the power supply is the most overlooked component of your computer?  That probably used to be true, but with every power supply review stating that at least once in their reviews, I think everyone is starting to catch on.  It is true that if you want a stable system and you want any chance of overclocking at all, you had better have yourself a decent power supply.  Most people probably blame their weak overclock on their CPU or RAM and completely forget about their power supply.  If you want to push 1.8v through your CPU or 3.9v through your DDR, you had better have a good power supply.

     As you can see from the above picture, this is a very nice looking power supply.  Gone are the days that the power supply is just the old, boring gray box above your motherboard.  Today's power supplies are just like any other computer part.  They are about looks as well as function and this baby has some looks.  Let's take a look at that shine.

     This power supply has a very reflective surface, but it's not chrome.  Raidmax has chosen a dark, charcoal chrome look.  The dark color is very nice looking and it still has all the glitz.  Chrome is nice too, but too much and your case starts looking like a bike from Orange County Choppers (one of my favorite shows by the way).

Features / Specifications

• All connectors are gold-plated for more stable outputs
• Output-cables are twisted wires reducing EM-Interferences
• Supports OVP, OCP & SCP (Short-Circuit Protection)
• ATX12V version 1.3 and downwards compatible
• Intel Pentium 4. & AMD K7/K8 CPU compatible
• Silence Control Technology with Dual-Fans for Whispering operation of 21-22dBA at up to 60% load
• Two Serial-ATA hard disk-connectors built-in
• ECASO Technology, keep fans running for cooling down your power and system 3 minutes after shutting down the power
• Video Card Connector with Noise Filter for Power-Hungry Video Card

     Shielded VGA/HDD cables seem to be the next big advance in power supplies.  Most decent power supplies are coming with them now.  The copper mesh shielding is there to reduce the RFI (Radio Frequency interference) and EMI (Electo-magnetic Interference).  This will produce "cleaner" power to your video card and to your hard drive.  I'm sure this is more expensive to produce, but if it's that much better I'd be willing to buy a power supply with all power cables shielded.  This power supply as well as most I've seen, only has one shielded cable.  Are we suppose to chose which component gets the clean power, the video card or the hard drive?