Introduction

We would like to thank Antec for supplying the review sample.

By many experts (and not only) relevant to the field Antec's HCP-1200 is considered one of the best PSUs available on the market nowadays. However the high-end High Current Pro series, although is mostly known for its flagship PSU has two more smaller members, HCP-850 and HCP-750. Strangely enough Antec decided not to include a 1000W model so there is a huge 350W gap between the first and the second HCP unit. In general all HCPs are 80 PLUS Gold certified, utilize a semi-modular cabling system and have multiple +12V rails and not a single one like Corsair's AX series PSUs. On top of that, Antec states that in order to minimize resistance they are equipped with 16 AWG wires (however in HCP-750 only the main ATX and the hardwired EPS connectors use 16 AWG wires).

In today's review we will take a detailed look at the HCP-750. This unit features four +12V rails and supports two EPS connectors (one hardwired and one modular) along with four 6+2 pin PCIe ones (two hardwired, two modulars), a sufficient number of connectors for its 750W. In an effort to ensure optimal conductivity Antec equipped it with gold-plated high-current terminals, something that will help voltage regulation and power deliverance to the system components. Here we must note that contrary to the HCP-1200, HCP-750 along with HCP-850, are cooled by a 135 mm fan and their internal design is totally different from the latter.

Specifications

The unit is quite large with 180 mm depth and weights a lot, at 2.5 kg. It is backed by five years warranty and costs 10-20$ over the other top performing 750 W Gold PSUs (e.g. at the time of the review we found Corsair AX750 for $169.99 online).


There are four +12V rails with 40A each, quite high Amperage that will not have trouble handling any high-end VGA. The unit is able to output all of its capacity on the +12V rail alone, something very convenient and also an indication that DC-DC converters are used for minor rails generation, a common scenario for Gold efficiency PSUs.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

The modular panel of the unit supports up to four PCIe cables (with two connectors on each) and one EPS connector, according to Antec's description on the modular panel. However you can connect the PCIe/EPS cables to every red connector you want! Nevertheless HCP-750 comes with only one PCIe and one EPS modular cable. Now the SATA/peripheral cables, except the black connectors, can be also connected to any of the red ones, on their locking side of course.
We can't help but wonder why Antec choose to put so many PCIe inputs on the modular panel. If you buy three extra PCIe cables with two connectors each and you connect all of them then in total you will have ten PCIe connectors in a 750W PSU (eight modular and two hardwired)! And on top of that you will be able to have two EPS connectors available at the same time! Even a 1500W unit would have a hard time with all these connectors.
Finally the main ATX connector and the hardwired EPS one use thicker 16 AWG wires while all others use 18 AWG.


You can connect any modular cable on the red connectors of the modular panel. This gives you the freedom to arrange connectors freely throughout the +12V rails. However you should not mix the EPS connectors along with the PCIe ones. If you use four PCIe and you also want to use the second modular EPS then you should connect it to the 12V4 rail.