It’s no secret that Antec has been on the market for a long time now. I think my first ever self-built PC was with an Antec chassis and PSU, and that certainly was more than a “few” years ago. They’ve got a strong reputation for high-quality power supplies too, and their first High Current Gamer units were practically forged from Kryptonite, as they could withstand some serious abuse over the years.
With that in mind, I’m sure excited to see what their new HCG unit is capable of. It’s not looking to reinvent the wheel with 850W of power and 80 Plus Gold efficiency. However, that’s way above what most system builders will ever need. A modern dual-GPU system with an overclocked CPU can peak around 600W after all.
Features
With a single powerful +12v rail, it’s perfect for high-performance hardware and overclocking. No mucking about balancing rails is required. What does catch my eye is that it uses a compact form factor, Zero RPM hybrid fan mode, fully modular cables, and 100% Japanese Caps. If that wasn’t good enough, it’s got a fantastic 10-year warranty. If that’s not competitive with the best in the business, nothing is.
- Single +12v rail with 70amp / 840watt
- Compact form – full-size performance
- Zero RPM fan speed at low load
- Fully Modular
- 100% Japanese Caps
- AQ10 – 10-year warranty
In the box, you’ll find a few velcro straps, cable ties, screws, and the power cable. Not much, but certainly more than you need to get started.
What Antec Had to Say
“The latest generation of High Current Gamer power supplies are available in a 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating, they offer unparalleled stability thanks to the top-grade Japanese capacitors and Active PFC. Advanced thermal control with the zero RPM mode enables optimal balance between silence and cooling and comes with a Fluid dynamic bearing 120mm fan to complete the package.” – Antec
Cables
- 1 x 20+4-Pin ATX12V/EPS12V
- 1 x 4+4-Pin ATX12V/EPS12V
- 6 x 6+2-Pin-PCIe
- 10 x SATA
- 5 x 4-Pin-Molex
- 1 x Floppy
A Closer Look
The HCG 850 is very nicely designed. It uses a much more compact form factor than I was expecting for an 850W unit too. Antec has downplayed the graphics on the unit too, with small corner logos that are painted on, rather than a full side sticker.
I love fully modular units, as it makes it easier to route all the cables just how you like them. The connectors are of a good quality, and there’s plenty of options here for peripheral and GPU connections.
Since it offers a passive cooling mode at low loads, ventilation is very important. It comes as no surprise then that there’s a lot of room for airflow on the top and the rear of the unit.
Hybrid Cooling
If you prefer your fan to spin 100% of the time, you can disable/enable hybrid mode from the switch on the rear. There’s also a master power switch here for when you need to completely power off your system.
On the bottom of the unit, you’ll find the specification sticker, detailing all the rails and power outputs. All pretty standard stuff, but handy to have if you misplaced the box.
Overview
I really can’t fault this unit at all, it’s exceeded my expectations in regards to performance and design. Of course, with Seasonic doing the internal work, it was bound to be fantastic, and I can see this proving to be a very popular unit for Antec this year. If you’re building a new gaming system with high-end power requirements, 850W should be more than enough for almost anyone.
Efficiency and Beyond
The High Current Gamer range is built for systems that pull high wattages for extended periods of time. Of course, I have complete confidence this unit will be able to run hard around the clock with no issues. However, I’m more impressed by the low ripple power delivery, it performed much better than I thought it would in this regard. Add to that impressive efficiency that dips into 80 Plus Platinum territory, and stable voltages, and you’ve got a pretty fantastic PSU here.
Should I Buy One?
At this price range, you’re hardly short of options for great power supplies. The Antec HCG850 is ticking all the right boxes. I think the main selling point, aside from the performance, is the compact and stylish design. It’s sure to look great in any system, and with fully modular cables, it’ll be easy to get great cable routing too.
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