Exclusive Interview with PC Power & Cooling Founder
by Christoph Katzer on February 11, 2008 3:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Markets
How are the sales in the European market these days? I know you have a strong marketing team there that is working very hard. I didn't even think that it would work out since it's not that easy to establish a totally new brand in a new market, but it looks like you did a good job. How does that show in numbers?
DD: Unlike OCZ power supplies that are already well-known in Europe, PC Power & Cooling units were never available outside the USA. That has changed in the last few months. The combination of numerous excellent reviews worldwide and a strong distribution channel has allowed European sales of PC Power & Cooling units to take off.
What has changed at PCP&C since the buyout by OCZ? You obviously sell more power supplies now.
DD: Actually, a lot is still the same. PC Power & Cooling has the same experienced staff in the same location we've had for 17 years. We are much more productive now since we don't have to concern ourselves with things handled by the OCZ team such as sales and finance.
You have a very good reputation in the US, but in Europe PCP&C is still not more than a typical high-end brand like many others. Wouldn't it be worthwhile to establish the same services you have in the US? Specifically, I am talking about changing cables or connectors or Chroma test-reports for the units?
DD: Turbo Cool customers in Europe and elsewhere receive Chroma test reports generated in our Carlsbad, California facility. As PC Power & Cooling grows in Europe, we will offer options available in the USA such as the custom cables you mentioned.
Work
How did your work schedule change after the buyout? Now as the CTO of the group, your field might have expanded to different directions. Please describe a normal working day.
DD: By not having to handle finance, sales, marketing, and HR, I'm now able to concentrate on product development and engineering, areas of the business I enjoy. Most of my day is spent in our lab evaluating designs, testing products, or communicating with industry OEMs. We can now produce more innovative, high-performance power supply products than ever before.
It's been six months since you joined forces; what can we expect in the near future from either PCP&C or OCZ?
DD: On the OCZ side, we have just announced the new single rail EliteXStream 800W and 1000W power supplies at CES 2008. On the PC Power & Cooling side, we are now shipping the Turbo Cool 860W with 84% efficiency, 1.5% regulation, and adjustable rails. Next will be the Turbo Cool 1200 ESA version, a blue version of the Silencer 750W, and the new ultra-quiet Silencer 500W.
Doug, thanks so much for taking the time talking to us and we look forward to testing these new products.
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fausto412 - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
That guy he interview was very good at answering the questions. i hope we get more inteviews like this one posted. i actually feel like my next power supply should be pc power and cooling branded.Bozo Galora - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
Well gee, maybe when they get around to selling this thing or its offspring to the public at large, it will be able to compete with Nehalem?Oh golly, an ES STOCK 2.66 non overclocked Nehsalem does an 8 second 1M super pi.
http://infomars.fr/forum/index.php?showtopic=1524">http://infomars.fr/forum/index.php?showtopic=1524
Hmmmmmmmmm.
Bozo Galora - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
Oooops.Somehow clicked the wrong article - heh
tynopik - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
PS: that report has been debunked, it's not trueRocket321 - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
According to Newegg, the Antec NeoPower NeoHE 380 power supply is SLI certified. 380 watts.According to Antec this PS can also run at 100% load 24x7 guaranteed and comes with a 5 year warrenty.
I bought this PS because after looking at AnandTech's power draw on several systems showing quad core, 8800gtx, very high end usually pulling less that 300 watts.
No I'm not going to be able to run "tri-fire" but c'mon..lol
Then again I don't drive a SUV so maybe I don't fully comprehend the American need for excess quantities.
mindless1 - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
You have a good point but that 100% load rating may be at a lower ambient temp than yours sees. If the ambient is higher than the context it's rated under then the total output has to be derated to account for this.It wouldn't be hard to derate a 380W PSU below 300W simply by using it in a typical case with components using 300W.
bob4432 - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
for ~98% of the desktop pcs, a quality 400W unit is more than enough. why continue to make these higher W units when really very few people need them?pretty interesting business model when you are counting on ignorance as one of your income arenas...
then again i don't suffer from other inadequacies others might and am happy running my rigs w/ a antec EA 380 or 430....
mindless1 - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
Why make them is easy. The goal is NOT to try to buy barely enough PSu for your needs. When you buy a car if you intend to drive 65MPH on the expressway do you select one that can barely go 70?If you plan on having 4 cubic feet of food in the freezer do you want exactly 4 cubic foot capacity?
The wattage rating on a PSU is it's sustainable upper limit, not a lower limit nor average to match against system consumption. As the interview onlined, there are significant benefits choosing a PSU rated for more than the system will use. It's only extreme penny pinchers who tend to end up with less desirable results that try to cut every last cost.
Consider another example, OEMs who use median to higher quality PSU but are often bashed by gamers for including a 300-350W PSU in a system they hoped to do a video card upgrade on. To some extent, the PSU should be matched to the reasonable expansion capabilities of the case and buyer, not just what is plugged in the very first time. A good PSU may last for multiple system upgrades or entire system replacements if you're the type that won't use the same CPU, video, etc for more than 3 years or so.
Olaf van der Spek - Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - link
So if you buy a 3 ghz CPU, you're going to run it at 2.4 ghz?PSUs should be rated at sustainable output at good efficiency, like other components.
Not rated for some fantasy conditions.
Olaf van der Spek - Monday, February 11, 2008 - link
> pretty interesting business model when you are counting on ignorance as one of your income arenas...Doesn't that always apply to quality and brand names?