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The Enhance 500W ATX power supply deal advertised at $12.89 plus shipping is a historical offer from April 2009, and the AnandTech Forums thread marked it dead. It is not evidence of a current price or a currently available product.
What was the Enhance 500W power-supply deal?
AnandTech Forums posted the offer under the title “basically flaming hot. 500 watt enhance power supply $12.89 + shipping DEAD.” The thread’s order, installation, and availability posts run from April 19–22, 2009. Participants discussed it as a conventional desktop replacement or build power supply; some bought multiple units for backup stock and computer repair. Read the archived AnandTech Forums thread.
The $12.89 figure was the thread’s 2009 deal price, with shipping extra. The thread later marked the offer dead, so that price should not be treated as current.
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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Is it still available, and what does the thread establish?
The thread establishes that participants ordered and received units at the time, and that stock was later reported gone. It does not establish whether the same model can be bought now. It also provides no current retail listing, warranty statement, or certification record. A present-day search for an “Enhance 500W ATX power supply” would need to be checked for the exact model and seller; the archive alone cannot verify availability or terms.
#1 Best Overall
- Delivers 500 Watt Continuous output at plus 40 degree. Compliance with Intel ATX 12 Volt 2.31 and EPS 12V 2.92 standards
- 80 PLUS Certified, 80 percentage efficiency under typical load
- Supports (2) PCI E 6plus2pin Connectors. Active (PFC) Power Factor Correction, MTBF: 100,000 hours
- Industry Grade Protections: (OPP) Over Power Protection, (OVP) Over Voltage Protection, (SCP) Short Circuit Protection
- High Quality Components
Nor is the thread a quality or safety test. Buyers shared mixed practical observations: some said their shipping boxes arrived beat up, one reported a system that booted and then hung, and one buyer said the units looked undamaged on arrival. Those individual reports do not establish electrical performance, reliability, or the condition of any unit offered today.
What did participants say about connectors and compatibility?
Connector layout
On April 21, 2009, forum member xDanielx reported: “The connectors DO NOT SEPARATE! Neither the 24 pin nor the 8 pin.” That is a participant’s observation, not a manufacturer specification verified by the thread. If considering a specific unit, inspect its actual cable ends and compare them with the motherboard and graphics-card sockets; do not assume the connectors split into smaller plugs.
Rank #2
- Power Supply Specifications: Apevia Venus 500W ATX Power Supply delivers reliable power for your computer system
- Comprehensive Connector Options: 1 x 20/24pin Main Power, 1 x 4+4pin 12V, 1 x 6+2 PCI Express, 3 x SATA, 3 x Peripheral, 1 x Floppy connectors for versatile component compatibility
- Advanced Cooling System: Auto-Thermally Controlled Black 120mm Fan with 115/230V Switch for efficient temperature management
- Precise Voltage Regulation: 5% Tolerance of 5V, 3.3V & 12V Output ensures stable power delivery to all components
- Complete Protection Suite: Short-Circuit/Over-Current/Over-Voltage/Over-Power/Under-Voltage/Over-Temperature Protections safeguard your system from electrical damage
Power capacity
Participants considered the unit for ordinary desktop builds and discussed a period configuration with a Q9650 processor, GTX 275 graphics card, multiple drives, and an optical drive. One participant estimated about 130W for the processor under full load and about 150W for the graphics card, then concluded the supply should have headroom. Another estimated roughly 36A on the relevant rail. These are forum estimates and compatibility opinions, not measured results or manufacturer ratings established by the thread.
The discussion therefore cannot confirm that a particular 500W supply will safely power a particular system. Wattage alone is insufficient: the exact PSU model, its sustained output, the required 24-pin, CPU 8-pin, and PCIe connectors, the condition of the unit, and the rest of the system all matter. The archive includes no independent laboratory test or current electrical performance data.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 80 PLUS Bronze CERTIFIED
- 5-year limited warranty, guaranteeing long term reliable operation
- Low Noise Fan
Rank #4
- Delivers 600W Continuous output at plus 40℃. Compliance with Intel ATX 12V 2. 31 and EPS 12V 2. 92 standards
- 80 PLUS Certified – 80% efficiency under typical load. Power good signal is 100-500 millisecond
- Supports (2) PCI-E 6 plus 2pin Connectors. Active (PFC) Power Factor Correction, MTBF: 100, 000 hours
- Industry Grade Protections: (OPP) Over Power Protection, (OVP) Over Voltage Protection, (SCP) Short Circuit Protection
- Hold up time is 16 millisecond minimum within 60 percent load. Input frequency range 50 - 60 in Hz
Rank #3
- ATX PSU. Delivers 500 Watt Continuous output
- 80 PLUS Bronze certified, with 85% efficiency or higher under typical loads
- 5 Year Warranty and heavy protection including OVP/UVP/OPP/SCP
- All cables are black and not ketchup and mustard colored
- 120mm ultra quiet fan with excellent cooling performance
What to check before choosing a replacement PSU
- Model and condition: Confirm the exact model and inspect the unit, cables, and packaging. An old used supply is not equivalent to a new product with documented support.
- Power delivery: Look for credible specifications for sustained output, including the relevant rail ratings, rather than relying on a forum estimate or the headline wattage.
- Connectors: Match the motherboard’s 24-pin and CPU power connectors, plus the graphics card’s PCIe plugs. Check whether any plugs separate before buying.
- Evidence and support: Seek independent testing, efficiency information, noise details, and clear warranty and return terms. The 2009 thread does not provide current evidence for these.
- Current price: Compare currently listed replacement units and seller terms; the archived $12.89 deal is not a usable current benchmark.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
