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The third and final PSU from Hiper is the HPU-3S525. This is a step up from the HPU-3S425 with a rated output of 525W. It seems that with every higher rated model, Hiper adds another fan and the HPU-3S525 has no less than three - one in the back, one in the front and one in the bottom. Not surprisingly therefore, this was also the noisiest model from Hiper. As with the HPU-3S425, the HPU-3S525 has a fan speed switch at the back with an identical range of settings - Auto, Low, Medium and High.

Hiper has also added more Molex power connectors with the HPU-3S525 sporting no less than ten. Unfortunately, eight of these are split between two cables making four Molex connectors and a floppy connector daisy chained on each, which is not a good idea. The power connector list also consists of two SATAs, a 20-pin ATX, a 12V and an AUX and another that connects to a fan header on the motherboard for fan speed readouts.

The HPU-3S525 just managed to scrape by at 70 per cent efficiency at 75 and 100 per cent load. While it ran things close, it was just about within spec. This will however, not be a cheap PSU to run as at 100 per cent load it draws over 700W of power, the second highest on test. Where the HPU-3S525 completely failed was on the 5V rail, where it only managed to produce acceptable voltages at 25 per cent load - easily the worst 5V rail on test. At 100 per cent load the 12V rail dropped outside the spec and the active PFC seemed to have major problems regulating the power at 75 and 100 per cent load. This is not accurately reflected in the graphs, but the PFC was going up and down at around five per cent during the higher loads.

But the worst is yet to come. After a couple of minutes at 100 per cent load the 12V rail overloaded and delivered over 13V, which could cause serious damage to components inside a PC. This is definitely one to avoid.

Manufacturer	Hiper
Model	HPU-3S525
URL	http://www.hipergroup.com
Supplier	Scan
URL	http://www.scan.co.uk
Price	£45.11
Molex connectors	8
Floppy connectors	2
SATA connectors	2
20-pin ATX / 24-pin EPS	Y/N
12V connector	Y
AUX connector	Y
Six pin PCI Express connector	N
Deditacted Molex for graphics	N
Fan speed header	Y
Other connectors	N
Fans and size	3x 80mm
Extras included	N/A
Max power output (manufacturers rating)
3.3V	28A
5V	36A
12V	29A
Total power	525W

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