Meridian XClio 450W & 400W Power Supplies

Performance Summary & Final Conclusions:

To be honest, I had some reservations before testing because Meridian was not a name I was familiar with. However, after giving both XClio power supplies the run-down, I was pleasantly surprised to see how well they performed (especially for a new product). Sure, these power supplies don't have flashy LEDs, modular cables, or fancy displays, but they are functional and do their job well, and that's what counts.

Both power supplies were able to exceed their rated maximum wattage with temperatures exceeding 44°C. I did test both 12V rails up to ~17.5A each (max the test rig can do) simultaneously. In both over-current & over-temperature tests the power supply shut itself off safely. Efficiency floated around 80%, which is better than average and exceeds ATX12V v2.0 requirements. The 120mm fan has a rated noise level of 21-28dBa (depending on speed). Voltage levels were generally around 1-2% nominal between light to heavy load levels.

The SCFT function of this power supply is a cool (no pun intended) concept, and is not the first we have seen on a power supply. However, because the adapter is mounted on a PCI bracket the location is less than optimal for running all the fan & power wires to. That's just my two cents. With a little creative modding the adapter could easily be mounted elsewhere on the PC.

The only real complaint I have about these power supplies is the finish (black paint), it seemed to get scratched up quiet easily. However this is purely cosmetic and not really an issue since it will be mounted in a PC.

Currently Newegg lists the 450W model for $52.50, wattage and prices go up from there. This price puts it above most "generic" power supplies, but lower than many other "big name" power supplies. Knowing that Channel Well Technologies built the PSU should give a little confidence if you choose to purchase one of these power supplies.