Introduction:::...

I've looked at quite a few power supplies during 2004, yet not only is this the first one I've tested from Ohio based technology-solutions provider Ultra, it's also the first modular power supply to cross my desk too.

Modular? Well in the case of a power supply this means you don't have to contend with the usual tangle of cables sprouting from the back and can instead plug in only those you need, but more on that in a minute.

These power supplies have been available for a little while now outside Europe, but in order to meet European requirements for all power supplies to have either active or passive power factor correction, Ultra have had to redesign their electronics then apply for approval which has obviously introduced delays.

This isn't the place to get into the technicalities of what power factor correction is, but if I tell you that in every power supply some of the power (known as reactive power) is pure waste which, although you're being charged for it, doesn't actually do anything at all , and that power factor correction reduces the ammount of reactive power ceated and thus cuts down on waste, then you have the basics.

With a growing reputation behind them for the quality of their power supplies and the undoubted advantages this kind of modular design offers for cable management, I was quite keen to see if all the hype was justified or whether this was just another plain girl in a posh frock.

Time to do the specs:

Features

• High-Gloss Mirror Finish
  
• Dual 80mm Fans
  
• Low Acoustic Noise
• Supports Pentium 4 and AMD CPUs
• Meets ATX Version 2.03 and
  ATX 12V Version 1.2 Specifications
• Short Circuit Protection
• In-rush Current Protection
  
• Thermal Overload Protection
• MTBF > 100,000 Hours at Full Load,
  110VAC and 25ò¾ Ambient Condition
• Serial ATA Drive Connectors (2)
• 20-Pin to 24-Pin Motherboard
  Power Adapter Included

Specifications

Output

Max Output Current	+5v	+3.3v	+12v	-5v	-12v	+5VSB
	32A	20A	28A	0.6A	0.6A	2A
Max Cobined Wattage	180W		336W	3W	7.2W	10W
	480W			20W
	500W

Total Output Power
500W (Full Load, Nominal Input Voltage)

Efficiency
70% Typical at Full Load and Nominal Input Voltage

Input

Not mentioned here is the warranty which, provided you register your product, is a generous three years. Okay, let's look at what your money buys you.....