14 DAY TRIAL // There are many ways that a product could take people by surprise, but companies usually aim for a positive surprise instead of a negative one. We wouldn't go so far as to say that Huntkey's newest PSU is disappointing, but it is somewhat confusing.
Perhaps the best word to describe the feeling awoken by the description of the PSU is “ambivalence.” After all, we're at best undecided about it.
This is because of the efficiency. At 85%, you'd think that at least the standard 80 Plus Rating would be mentioned somewhere, but we didn't see it in the press release (embedded below). The box didn't avail us any better either.
We can't understand why 80 Plus Bronze wasn't granted. The efficiency at 20% load and 50% load is better than the baseline (82.23% and 85.02% versus 81% and 85%), and the rating at 100% load is even more advantageous (84.04% versus 81%).
Even if 80 Plus Bronze wasn't granted, the 80 Plus normal rating would have been easy enough to apply. Strange is what it is. It would have helped the image, considering that this is otherwise a modest-power, mid-range or even entry-level product.
Then again, maybe an 80 Plus rating would have caused a rise in price that would have forced the Huntkey PSU from the entry level to the mid-range, and that wasn't the plan. Alas, we can't really say for certain without knowing the price, which we don't.
The Huntkey X-Power 400 desktop power supply
With an output of 400W (rated power in real world tests of 300W), it should do well in any Intel or AMD-based computer, particularly small ones.
Dual +12V rails provide the energy, while Intelligent-Thermal Fan Control Technology makes certain that the 120 mm fan doesn't spin faster than it needs to. Huntkey did have to keep things as silent as possible, as it is supposed to be a major goal of the new unit.
Moving on, multiple protections have been implemented, like OCP (overcureent), OVP (overvoltage), OPP (overpower), and SCP (short-circuit).
Finally, the X-Power 400 power supply has a MTBF of 100,000 hours. Given how little strain mini PCs put on PSUs in general, that means this thing will outlive your computer, and probably the next one too.
Availability and pricing
Huntkey may or may not formally release the newcomer to retailers before Christmas. One week isn't such a long time. Unfortunately, as we said, the PSU hasn't been given a price. The 120mm fan and the lack of 80 Plus rating or modular cabling means it won't be too high.
