What Does The New ATX12V 1.3 Bring?

The ATX12V version. 1.3 comes with the following key changes :-

• Updated Power and Current guidance
• Added efficiency guidance at typical and light load
• Increased min efficiency at full load from 68% to 70%
• Serial ATA connector definition added
• Acoustic levels added for low noise power supply design

For more on the ATX12V version 1.3 specification, you can download the official specifications in the Adobe PDF format.

Since the Zalman ZM400A already complied with part of the ATX12V version 1.3 specifications, only minimal changes were needed in the ZM400B. All Zalman needed to do was add the two Serial ATA power cables and increase the +12V rail's maximum load from 15A to 18A.

Because there are now many components that utilize the +12V rail, Intel decided to increase the rail's rating to accomodate the demand. The maximum load of 18A on the +12V rail is actually a requirement for 300W power supplies. But since the ATX12V version 1.3 specifications did not state the any loading for more powerful power supplies, Zalman maintained the maximum load of 18A in the ZM400A.

Version 1.3 of the ATX12V specifications were actually published in April 2003. And since then, version 2.0 of the ATX12V specifications have also been released! But till today, not many power supplies are even ATX12V version 1.3-compliant.