Enermax Platimax 850 W Power Supply Review

Introduction

The 80 Plus Platinum certification is the next level in energy efficiency, promising 92% minimum efficiency at typical load (i.e., at half of the power supply’s labeled power). The Enermax Platimax was one of the first power supply series carrying this new certification level to reach the market, with 600 W, 750 W, 850 W, 1,000 W, and 1,200 W versions. We’ve already tested the 600 W model, which proved to be an excellent product. Let’s see if the 850 W version is a good choice.

Figure 1: Enermax Platimax 850 W power supply

Figure 2: Enermax Platimax 850 W power supply

The Enermax Platimax 850 W is 6.9” (175 mm) deep, using a 140 mm twister bearing fan on its bottom (Enermax EA142512M-0A).

This unit has a modular cabling system with eight connectors, three for video cards (red) and five for SATA and peripheral power connectors (black). It is really important to understand that each red connector has separate pins for two power cables, so each connector acts as if it were two separate connectors. The motherboard cables and two cables with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards each come permanently attached to the power supply, and they are protected with nylon sleeves that come from inside the unit. This power supply comes with the following cables:

• Main motherboard cable with a 24-pin connector, 21.6” (55 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• One cable with an EPS12V connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• One cable with two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• Two cables, each with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 18.5” (47 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• Four cables, each with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 19.5” (49.5 cm) long, modular cabling system (each pair of cables uses a single red connector of the power supply)
• Two cables, each with four SATA power connectors, 17.7” (45 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors, modular cabling system
• Two cables, each with two SATA power connectors and two standard peripheral power connectors, 17.7” (45 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors, modular cabling system
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector, 17.7” (45 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors, modular cabling system

All wires are 18 AWG, which is the minimum recommended gauge, except the main motherboard cable, which uses thicker 16 AWG wires.

The cable configuration is outstanding for an 850 W power supply, allowing you to install three high-end video cards that require two power connectors each at the same time without the need for adaptors, and with 12 SATA power connectors. Since there will be one red connector left unused on the modular cabling system, you can buy an additional cable to install a fourth high-end video card.

Figure 3: Cables

Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.