Since the surface can only tell us so much, let’s open it up and poke around inside. Don’t do this yourself unless you’re not afraid of voiding the warranty (since I didn’t really buy the PSU, I don’t think I get a warranty anyways so it’s okay for me). Also be wary of the capacitors inside as they can hold an electric charge for quite some time. Let the PSU sit unplugged for at least a day before opening it. The 450BD’s cover (fan and all) was easily taken off, as are most PSUs. Four screws and a bit of force does it. Inside, we find:
Two beaten-up heatsinks, various capacitors and other electrical paraphernalia, as well as a piece of plastic protecting the bare metal shell of the PSU against its own components. The condition of the heatsinks isn’t very reassuring, but in the end it’s just a clump of metal, so I wouldn’t worry too much. Capacitors are of various brands, no famed Rubycon here, not that a $60 PSU would have those anyways.
Fans
The duo of fans consists of a 92mm “Top Motor DF1209BA” which draws 0.25A and has clear blades, as well as a 0.20A drawing, all black 80mm “Top Motor DF1208BA”. The latter has tachometer function. If you don’t like either fans, you could always replace them – provided you know how to – with clear and/or lighted ones. I personally think it’s a waste of time, money and electricity, but that’s what being a computer geek is all about, isn’t it? ^^
Cords
With long enough cords for pretty much every case out there, the 450BD shouldn't fail to please. The ATX cord is approximately 60cm (2ft.) long, making it perfect for reaching around the HSF on motherboards with bad ATX header placement, or if you’re lucky enough to have one, it’s long enough for a WTX-case. As with all newer PSUs, both P4 Aux and +12v connectors are present, and in this case, they’re just as long as the ATX. Molex cords number three in total, with two sporting a 2 standard and 1 mini configuration, with the other having three standards, no mini. Last and probably least, looking a bit out of place, we also have the tachometer plug.
