Gigabyte finally looks to be on the right path with the UD units. This whole mess with the P-GM units could have been avoided if they had taken my review of the P750GM seriously since it uncovered the problem of the initial design, but let's all move on. MEIC has delivered a good platform that can be improved vastly with more tuning. This unit has all the necessary protection features correctly configured, which I don't see often. In the overall performance section, the noncompetitive ripple suppression and loose load regulation on the minor rails make it a miss, though. Efficiency has also taken a hit compared to the P850GM. Gigabyte and MEIC could lower the inrush current and improve PF readings with 230 V input, and reduce vampire consumption to below 0.1 W. It appears MEIC focused on 115 V even though many users live in areas with 230 V mains.

I didn't encounter any problems with this unit during my strict testing procedure—it didn't break, so you are unlikely to. My test sessions last for 2–3 days, but add up to the equivalent of several months of normal usage. The protection features evaluation procedure alone is brutal since I push the PSU beyond its limits for as long as it takes to shut down with the ambient temperature in most cases exceeding 45°C. You shouldn't do this, but I have to in order to confirm that the PSU's protections are correctly tuned. If not, it results in fireworks, which I dislike since my expensive AC sources and power analyzers may also get damaged.

The Gigabyte UD850GM would be a decent choice at around $110. It lacks a bit of overall performance, but has fully working protection features, compact dimensions, and won't force you to wear earplugs as long as you don't push it hard. I expect an upgraded version with a 12VHPWR connector soon, as most will require it for upcoming GPUs. You will be fine with 6+2 PCIe connectors for some time yet, but will eventually have to move to 12+4 PCIe, so it is better to invest in a future-proof PSU.