Is this really a Seasonic S12-500?

anders128 · Post by **anders128** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:29 am

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 6871413140

I do not speak german but using Babelfish it says:

"Wetting part of 500 Watts with exhaust/radiator model SS-500HT Active PFC F3; AC input 100-240V-9A 50/60Hz of pc-parts from residual items without warranty ..."

It seems to cheap to be true and probably it is as well. What do you think?

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:17 am

The gray casing indicates an OEM version, which is nothing wrong. However, I agree that the price seems too good. "Wetting part"? Maybe it was in a system that got flooded?

anders128 · Post by **anders128** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:23 am

Probably the german word "Netztteil" (wetting part?) should have been Netzteil (power pack?).

When asking the seller if it was the same PSU as reviewed on this site, he responded "Yes it is, but not black, is silver". eBay also has a buyer protection programme so I will take a chance.

When receiving the PSU, how can I check that it is as good as a retail version? Maybe there will be something wrong with it and still be able to run my computer. Are there any testing applications?

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:35 am

The buyer protection program does not apply here. He is selling these items as-is, without warranty. You're taking a chance as to whether this will work or not, and can do zip if it doesn't.

klankymen · Post by **klankymen** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:58 am

It is in my memory that the SS series of power supplies are a whole different series from the S12 series, and also aren't as quiet, but I may be confusing something.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:59 am

The buyer protection program does not apply here

Paypal buyer protection should apply, but I don't understand how he has it when his feedback is so low (94.2% +). Normally you need above 98% positive feedback to qualify for Paypal buyer protection. However the SS-500HT is the OEM version of the retail S12.

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:22 am

qviri wrote:He is selling these items as-is, without warranty.

The protection program is going to ensure you will get these items delivered to your doorstep. That is all.

BillyBuerger · Post by **BillyBuerger** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:39 am

Yes, the SS-500HT is the OEM version of the S12. AND..... I believe is also 80plus certified. So maybe even slightly more efficient than the S12.

Tephras · Post by **Tephras** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 9:42 am

It is not 80 PLUS certified just because it's an S12 OEM, the 80 PLUS certified version is a "tweaked" SS-500HT OEM.

JVM · Post by **JVM** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:09 am

The sticker on my S12 says SS600HT and it is retail.

BillyBuerger · Post by **BillyBuerger** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:42 am

Tephras wrote:It is not 80 PLUS certified just because it's an S12 OEM, the 80 PLUS certified version is a "tweaked" SS-500HT OEM.

Really? So there are three versions of the S12 500: Retail, OEM, and 80 plus. And all have the same model number SS-500HT. Who came up with that idea?

Tephras · Post by **Tephras** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 3:58 pm

Here's a snippet from the SS-400HT 80 Plus review:

FAMILY MATTERS

The SS-400HT Active PFC F3 is the smallest in a line of three OEM / ODM models. The other two are the SS-500HT Active PFC F3 and the SS-600HT Active PFC F3. They have the same mechanical design and circuit topology, and differ only in maximum power output.

For your information,

* OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer - A company that builds components used in systems sold by a value-added reseller
* ODM = Original Design Manufacturer - A contract manufacturer that uses its own designs and intellectual property.

Note that the latter two model numbers are the same as the Seasonic S12-500 & S12-600 retail package models, reviewed here previously. Alas, the S12 models are not the same as the OEM versions of the SS-500HT or SS-600HT models. They have the same basic design, mechanically and electronically, but the S12 models have longer output cables and the black paint finish, along with the box, manual and other accessories. Seasonic's OEM / ODM business takes precedence over their retail operation, and the S12-500 and S12-600 are best viewed as variants of the SS-xxxHT OEM line.

The SS-400HT and the other models in this lineup are available with any combination of the following features for OEM / ODM customers.

* 80 Plus Certified - This requires a number of component substitutions to the same design. Call them tweaks for even higher efficiency.
* With or without 240VA current limiter on the 12V1 and 12V2 lines - For OEM / ODM applications, this often provides better flexibility and improved performance / cost benefits.
* With customized wiring harness - Usually shorter, and/or with fewer cables for best performance.

JVM · Post by **JVM** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 4:05 pm

Tephras wrote:Here's a snippet from the SS-400HT 80 Plus review:
FAMILY MATTERS

The SS-400HT Active PFC F3 is the smallest in a line of three OEM / ODM models. The other two are the SS-500HT Active PFC F3 and the SS-600HT Active PFC F3. They have the same mechanical design and circuit topology, and differ only in maximum power output.

For your information,

* OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer - A company that builds components used in systems sold by a value-added reseller
* ODM = Original Design Manufacturer - A contract manufacturer that uses its own designs and intellectual property.

Note that the latter two model numbers are the same as the Seasonic S12-500 & S12-600 retail package models, reviewed here previously. Alas, the S12 models are not the same as the OEM versions of the SS-500HT or SS-600HT models. They have the same basic design, mechanically and electronically, but the S12 models have longer output cables and the black paint finish, along with the box, manual and other accessories. Seasonic's OEM / ODM business takes precedence over their retail operation, and the S12-500 and S12-600 are best viewed as variants of the SS-xxxHT OEM line.

The SS-400HT and the other models in this lineup are available with any combination of the following features for OEM / ODM customers.

* 80 Plus Certified - This requires a number of component substitutions to the same design. Call them tweaks for even higher efficiency.
* With or without 240VA current limiter on the 12V1 and 12V2 lines - For OEM / ODM applications, this often provides better flexibility and improved performance / cost benefits.
* With customized wiring harness - Usually shorter, and/or with fewer cables for best performance.

Is that saying Seasonic's OEM/ODM versions are better than the retail?

Tephras · Post by **Tephras** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:12 pm

anders128 · Post by **anders128** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:32 am

Is that saying Seasonic's OEM/ODM versions are worse than the retail?

Whatever the case, I have ordered now. Any applications to test the performance of my PSU?

anders128 · Post by **anders128** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 1:00 am

I have received the PSU now but I can not get it to work. Maybe the price was to good to be true after all ...

Anyway, is it possible to test the PSU outside of the computer?

qviri · Post by **qviri** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:55 am

anders128 wrote:Anyway, is it possible to test the PSU outside of the computer?

Connect the green and one of the black wires with something that conducts electricity. This will simulate the motherboard telling the PSU to turn on.

It should cause the fan to spin up, although it may be very brief as it will detect no load and shut itself down. But it should at least budge.

anders128 · Post by **anders128** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:29 am

Got a refund via PayPal Buyer Protection now but I can still keep the PSU. So is there anything useful to do with a broken PSU?