be quiet! Dark Power vs Dark Power Pro, is a digital source worth it?

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Yes, it is true that the Dark Power Pro version is an edition that the German manufacturer wanted to launch on the market as Premium, and therefore includes details such as sleeved cables that we do not see in the conventional version, but It must also be taken into account that there is a fairly substantial price difference between the two, since the 1500W model of the Pro version is over 400 euros in price, while the normal 1000W model can be purchased for less than 300.

be quiet! Dark Power Pro 12 1500W
be quiet! Dark Power 12 1000W
Buy it at
EUR
283.50

That aside, both power supply models are very similar, with their 80 Plus Titanium efficiency certification, the highest ever in PCs, fully modular cabling, a very quiet fan that keeps the supply cool, and a Very similar design, with a large grill that occupies the entire fan area and high-quality brushed aluminum construction.

So where's the difference? As we mentioned at the beginning, in addition to the Premium aspects of the Dark Power Pro version, we have the fact that they are digital, while the normal version is analog. Is it worth paying the difference in price then?

Why choose a digital source?

In general, analog circuitry monitors and regulates all the functions and values ​​of the power supply sufficiently, but a digital control provides us with it is a greater refinement in the control and monitoring of these. Of course, let's not confuse the concept of a source having digital control as having a display or a monitoring system via USB as in some cases, which are nothing more than analog sources with an LED display or that allow their parameters to be monitored through software and the manufacturer sells them as digital sources when in fact they only have monitoring, but they are not.

be quiet! Dark Power vs Dark Power Pro, is a digital source worth it?

The Dark Power Pro from be quiet! it's a fully digital power supply, and that means even its regulation is. Analog power supplies such as the Dark Power 12 use analog circuitry to monitor and regulate the output voltages they supply to the PC on the DC and PFC (Power Factor Correction) side, whereas on a digital supply this work is performed by a microcontroller, a control element that monitors the PFC, the fan control, the regulation of the LLC-SR-12V circuits and the actuation points of the protection circuits.

Digital control therefore allows a much finer adjustment of all parameters, but also a much faster reaction to problems to trip the protection circuits, in addition to measuring the values ​​of the source with a much higher precision . As if that weren't enough, the faster the MOSFETs in the LLC and SR circuits of the power supply can be tuned, the shorter the dead times and therefore the higher the efficiency as well.

You already know that greater efficiency means an operation in which the source wastes less energy converting it into heat, and therefore helps to reduce the electricity bill at the same time that it heats up less, so it has a more efficient operation silent and ensures a greater longevity of the device, so of course all are advantages.

So, which of the two is more worthwhile?

There is no doubt that we are dealing with two very high-end power supply models, whose only substantial difference is the fact that the Dark Power Pro are completely digital sources, but add to this the "Premium" factors that be quiet! Added like sleeved cables, we have a pretty substantial price difference.

Therefore, be quiet! Dark Power 12 is a recommended power supply for users looking to have the confidence of having one of the best power supplies on the market, with great quality, efficiency, power and a 10-year warranty. However, the Dark Power Pro 12 model is already for the most gourmets who do not mind spending a little more money in order to have the best of the best, with even greater efficiency (despite the fact that both carry the 80 certificate Plus Titanium) and Premium category details that end up making a difference.

Obviously, for us the digital control in a power supply is a very interesting asset but today we do not consider it essential, at least not when we compare it with a source of the size of the Dark Power 12. For So if you are looking for an excellent quality source we urge you to go for this regular model but if you are looking for the best of the best and with digital control then you will not regret spending more money to go for the model Pro.

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