FSP Technology, renowned for its power supply design and manufacturing expertise, has been delivering reliable and efficient PSU solutions for decades. With a strong reputation for creating advanced PC PSU platforms, FSP has built a significant presence in the global market. The company designs and produces its units in-house, unlike most PSUs available today, which an OEM manufacturer makes for the brand that contracts them. In today’s review, we are having a look at the Vita GM, a gamer-targeting series that is striving to put all eggs into one basket – looks, performance, quality, and value.

Initially launched in Asia and the EU, the Vita GM 850W PSU is now available in the US. On paper, it is not a major upgrade over the Hydro Gold series, but the Vita GM brings ATX 3.1 / PCIe 5.1 compliance and efficiency upgrades. We're looking to see if the Vita GM 850W can rank among our best power supplies recommendations. The unit achieves 80Plus Gold and Cybenetics Platinum efficiency certifications, boasts exceptional performance, and is backed up by a 10-year manufacturer warranty.

Specifications and Design

In the Box

The FSP Vita GM 850W PSU is packaged in a durable cardboard box with a simple charcoal-themed design. A large image of the unit dominates the front of the box. Inside, the PSU is secured within a thick nylon bag and cardboard inserts, ensuring it is well-protected during transit.

The package includes mounting screws, an AC power cable, a jump-start testing adapter, and a couple of high-quality cable straps for cable management. It is not the shiniest bundle but it is a very good one.

Most of the Vita GM’s cables are ribbon-like flat cables, providing excellent flexibility for easier routing and improved aesthetics. The only exception is the 12+4 pin PCIe 5.1 cable, which is covered in black nylon sleeving. Additionally, FSP includes one cable with only SATA connectors and two “hybrid” cables featuring both SATA and Molex connectors. The latter would make much more sense some years back when SATA and PATA drives were being mixed, requiring both kinds of connectors, but not really nowadays.

External Appearance

The FSP VITA GM 850W PSU is designed to combine aesthetics and practicality. Measuring just 140 mm in length, it strictly adheres to the ATX design guide, ensuring compatibility with any ATX-compliant case. It has an exceptional power-to-volume ratio but the reduced length also comes with limitations, such as the 120 mm cooling fan.

The PSU’s exterior features a textured black paint finish that is both durable and visually appealing. The bottom edges of the chassis are chamfered, adding a modern and refined look to the design. The sides of the unit are adorned with an embossed geometric C-like shape, with the company and series logos subtly printed on them, in an effort to make the unit visually appealing but not overly flashy.

A sticker displaying the PSU’s electrical specifications and certifications covers the top side of the unit. The rear side of the PSU houses the standard AC power receptacle and an on/off switch, while the front side holds the modular cable connectors, which are surrounded by a minimalistic legend. The fan grille is integrated into the chassis with an intricate geometric cutout. While this design element contributes to the PSU’s unique appearance, it may slightly restrict airflow or introduce turbulence noise under certain conditions.

Internal Design

The FSP VITA GM 850W PSU is equipped with a Yate Loon D12SH-12 120 mm fan that utilizes a rifle-bearing engine. This fan is the largest that could fit within the unit’s compact chassis. Rifle-bearing fans typically are very quiet but are not considered to be the best choice for continuous operation in high-temperature environments.

As we mentioned before, the VITA GM is FSP’s in-house design and there is no hidden OEM behind its design or manufacturing. It shares similarities with the Hydro G series but incorporates improvements for higher efficiency and better power density.

The PSU’s filtering stage includes four Y capacitors, two X capacitors, and two filtering inductors, which is a typical setup. Right after the filtering stage, two bridges are found on their dedicated heatsink. The Active Power Factor Correction (APFC) circuit comes next and features two GP36S60YERD MOSFETs and one diode, supported by a single basic inductor and a huge 680 μF Nippon Chemi-Con capacitor rated for 105°C.

The primary stage consists of two Toshiba K25A60X5 MOSFETs configured in a half-bridge topology, which is part of a typical LLC resonant converter design. These MOSFETs are mounted on their dedicated heatsink located right after the APFC capacitor. On the secondary side, six SeCoS 170N04SV MOSFETs located on the underside of the main PCB generate the primary 12V rail. Small heatsink mounted on the top side of the PCB are their primary heat dissipation way. Two DC-to-DC converters mounted on a vertical daughterboard are responsible for the 3.3V and 5V rails.

Although the heatsinks are functional, they appear undersized given the unit’s power density and efficiency levels, which could affect thermal performance under extreme conditions. All secondary capacitors are sourced from Nippon Chemi-Con, a highly regarded Japanese manufacturer known for its reliability and performance.

Cold Test Results

Cold Test Results (25°C Ambient)

For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts.

The FSP Vita GM 850W PSU satisfies and easily surpasses the efficiency requirements for its 80Plus Gold certification during cold testing. The average efficiency is very high and the unit misses the 80Plus Platinum certification by a hair, being unable to meet the 89% efficiency at 100% load requirement with an input voltage of 115 VAC. However, it does meet the Platinum Cybenetics requirements, as Cybenetics tests the average efficiency. At 115 VAC input, the PSU achieves an average nominal load efficiency of 90.5%, which increases to 92.6% with a 230 VAC input. Efficiency peaks at approximately 40% load and the unit maintains a fairly stable efficiency across the nominal load range (10–100%). A 2.1% efficiency drop is observed when using a 115 VAC input compared to 230 VAC, a common behavior of FSP platforms, but it remains high enough for the unit to easily meet its certifications.

This unit does not have a hybrid fan mode so the fan in the FSP VITA GM 850W PSU operates continuously, even at low loads. Its speed is very low up to a load of 500 watts, after which point it increases gradually as the load rises, becoming more and more audible as the unit approaches its maximum capacity. Under these conditions, the fan never reaches its maximum speed and noise levels are relatively low. Internal temperatures during these conditions are a bit higher than expected, suggesting that the designer tipped the scale towards acoustics, but remain safely within the unit's operational limits.

Hot Test Results

Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient)

During hot testing, the FSP VITA GM 850W experiences a significant decrease in efficiency across the entire load spectrum. Efficiency drops to 88.8% at 115 VAC and 90.9% at 230 VAC, compared to 90.5% and 92.6% during cold testing. The efficiency degradation of approximately 1.8% is typical for this class of unit under elevated temperatures, but no signs of thermal stress are present. Despite the decrease in efficiency, the unit maintains a stable performance.

Expectedly, the fan of the Vita GM 850W speeds up more aggressively under these conditions, reaching its maximum speed when the load exceeds 750 watts. The fan operates at lower speeds under lighter loads, but the higher ambient temperatures prompt the fan to work harder. The unit does not exhibit any significant thermal issues but the internal temperatures are significantly elevated during heavy loads. Regardless, the temperatures inside the unit do get uncomfortably high. Apparently, FSP rates the maximum output of the VITA GM series at 40 degrees Celsius for good reason.

PSU Quality and Bottom Line

Power Supply Quality

The FSP Vita GM 850W demonstrates solid electrical performance within its class. Voltage regulation is very good on the 12V rail, with a deviation of just 0.9%, but slacker on the minor rails, with the 5V rail at 1.8% and the 3.3V rail at 1.7%. Ripple suppression is exceptional, with maximum ripple values of 36 mV on the 12V line, 24 mV on the 5V line, and 24 mV on the 3.3V line, outstanding figures for a unit of this class.

During our thorough assessment, we evaluate the essential protection features of every power supply unit we review, including Over Current Protection (OCP), Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Over Power Protection (OPP), and Short Circuit Protection (SCP). All protection mechanisms were activated and functioned correctly during testing. The OCP on the 12V line and, in extend, the OPP protection are extremely sharp for an ATX 3.1 unit – the VITA GM will easily shut itself down to protect itself and the equipment it is powering if overloaded.

Bottom Line

The FSP Vita GM 850W PSU is a notable entrant in the competitive mid-to-high-end power supply market, demonstrating a fairly balanced blend of performance, efficiency, and build quality. FSP, a well-regarded OEM, has done an excellent job in the design and assembly of this unit, showcasing their expertise in crafting reliable and efficient PSUs. The VITA GM 850W brings with it the latest ATX 3.1 and PCIe 5.1 compliance, ensuring it supports modern and future-proof systems, including the latest graphics cards and power-hungry components. Coupled with its 80Plus Gold and Cybenetics Platinum certifications, this unit stands out for its efficient operation under typical conditions, promising reliable and stable power delivery for mainstream gaming rigs, workstations, and other applications.

The design of the VITA GM 850W is solid but a bit visually extravagant. It features a compact chassis measuring just 140mm in length, adhering to the ATX standard. Aesthetically, the PSU has a rather aggressive look, with a textured black paint finish and a distinctive design. Inside, the VITA GM uses a combination of well-known, top-tier components and some more obscure choices, which may raise questions for some users. While the inclusion of reliable components from manufacturers like Nippon Chemi-Con and Toshiba enhances the PSU's durability and performance, there are parts sourced from lesser-known companies. Some of these components lack readily available datasheets, which could raise concerns. This mixture of reputable and obscure sources makes it difficult to fully assess the unit’s long-term performance, especially in more demanding environments. However, FSP is confident and backs these units up with a 10-year long manufacturer’s warranty.

Performance-wise, the VITA GM 850W excels in many areas, with its voltage regulation and ripple suppression being some of its strongest points. The 12V rail demonstrates impressive regulation with a deviation of just 0.9%, while the ripple suppression is exceptional, with values well below the acceptable thresholds, ensuring a clean and stable power output that minimizes stress on sensitive components.

The VITA GM 850W is priced at a reasonable $110, which positions it well within the competitive landscape. However, the VITA GM 850W does have its limitations. In hot environments, efficiency and acoustics performance drop significantly. While efficiency degradation at elevated temperatures is a common trait for many PSUs, the reduction was particularly severe in this case, although there are no signs of thermal stress at high loads. The fan does ramp up its speed but seems unable to cope with the thermal requirements of the unit under such conditions, which could potentially affect the unit’s long-term reliability if it is used in poorly ventilated or thermally stressed environments. Conversely, the VITA GM performs very well in typical ambient conditions.

In conclusion, the FSP VITA GM 850W PSU is a solid choice for users seeking a reliable, efficient, and relatively affordable power supply. The mix of a good build, great overall performance under typical conditions, and competitive pricing, along with the excellent 10-year warranty, make it a worthwhile option for most mainstream PC gamers and workstations. For those looking for a unit to perform well under standard conditions with a reasonable price tag, the VITA GM 850W stands as a strong contender in its class, offering a good balance of performance and long-term value.

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The global power supply market has witnessed significant growth in recent years, driven by the increasing adoption of high-performance computing systems and the growing demand for energy-efficient products. According to a report by ReportLinker, the global PSU market is expected to reach $46.2 billion by 2027, with a CAGR of 5.9% from 2020 to 2027 (revised to 5.5% post-pandemic). Although the report includes almost every type of PSU (and not just PC PSUs), it also mentions the increasing demand for high-wattage PSUs for gaming and mining applications, which is expected to drive market growth further. Fortron Source Power, commonly known as FSP, was one of the primary sources that facilitated this report.

FSP is a Taiwanese company that has been providing power supply solutions since 1993. The company prides itself on its commitment to quality and innovation and has gained recognition for its reliable and energy-efficient products. FSP's product portfolio includes power supplies for personal computers, servers, industrial and medical equipment, LED lighting, and electric vehicles. FSP's power supply unit (PSU) division is one of its flagship businesses, and the company has been consistently expanding its product lineup to meet the growing demand for high-quality PSUs. The company offers a wide range of options to cater to different user needs.

We look at the Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W, one of FSP’s first ATX 3.0-compliant units, to see if it can rank among our best power supplies list. The PTM X Pro series is aimed at system builders seeking a higher performance level and willing to pay a little extra for a Platinum-level efficiency certification.

Specifications and Design

In the Box

FSP supplies the Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W in a colorful cardboard box with an additional cardboard ribbon around it. The box is very sturdy and the product is additionally protected inside thick packaging foam slabs. A wealth of information about the unit and its highlight, the PCIe 5.0 12+4 pin cable, can be found on every side of the box.

Besides the necessary mounting screws and AC power cable, the company also supplies a couple of cable straps and a jump-start adapter for testing the PSU without connecting it to a motherboard. There are also two sets of side stickers, one green, and one red. The blue set is already glued to the unit. These stickers are permanent and cannot be removed without damaging them. FSP clarifies that the stickers do not affect the warranty, thus they can be removed/replaced without any repercussions for the consumers.

The FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W PSU is a fully modular design, allowing for the removal of every DC power cable, including the 24-pin ATX connector. Nearly all of the cables are black, ribbon-like, with black connectors. The only exception lies with the PCIe 5.0 12WHPWR cable, which also is all-black, but it is a classic sleeved cable instead.

External Appearance

Despite the high power output and 80Plus Platinum efficiency, FSP managed to maintain ATX-compliant proportions for the Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W. Actually, the company took it a step further than sticking to ATX-compliant size and reduced the length of the unit down to 130 mm, 10 mm shorter than the ATX-dictated length of 140 mm. This matters little to most users as the PSU still requires an ATX case to fit and would fit even if it was 10 mm longer – however, it could be important for those who explore custom builds and unique projects.

FSP sprayed the chassis with a textured paint that is both visually appealing and resistant to fingerprints. The fan finger guard is a separate but custom part, with the company logo decorating its center. The sticker with the unit’s electrical certifications and specifications covers most of the unit’s top side.

Decorative blue-themed stickers are pre-applied on the sides of the unit, which can be replaced with the red or green stickers that FSP includes in the package. The downside here is that the stickers will be destroyed once removed, making any choice technically permanent. There is also no embossed area or guide for the stickers, requiring a lot of attention and finesse when installing them to ensure they are level and symmetric.

A typical on/off switch can be seen at the rear side of the unit, beside the power connector. Another small switch right next to it controls the “ECO Mode” of the cooling fan. When activated, the cooling fan will shut off while the load is under 300 Watt. The front side of the unit is home to the numerous connectors for the modular cables. A subtle legend is printed under each group of connectors, sprayed directly onto the chassis, with the series logo covering the rest of the surface.

Internal Design

Due to the reduced size of the chassis, FSP’s engineers were limited to a 120 mm fan for the cooling needs of the Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W PSU. The fan is supplied by Protechnic Electric, FSP’s usual supplier of cooling fans. It is the MGA12012XF-O25, an 120 mm fan with a fluid-dynamic bearing (FDB) engine and an extremely high maximum rotational speed of 2700 RPM.

While most units nowadays on the market have a hidden ODM behind them, FSP is the sole company behind the creation of the Hydro PTM X Pro PSU from paper to product. A quick glance at the platform reveals that it is not just an upgraded version of the Hydro G Pro, but is in fact a significantly different design. Aside from the connector of the cooling fan, where someone went a bit overboard with the glue, the layout is extremely well organized.

The filtering stage begins on the rear of the AC receptacle and is textbook, with a total of four Y capacitors, two X capacitors, and two filtering inductors leading to a dual input rectifying bridge configuration. Both of the rectifying bridges share a sizable heatsink that is sandwiched in between them. The passive APFC components are two large 450V/470μF APFC capacitors by Nippon Chemi-Con and a sizable filtering coil. The active APFC components are on a long heatsink right across the edge of the PCB.

Unlike typical configurations that achieve the 80Plus Platinum certification level, the Hydro PTM X Pro has only two transistors that form a half-bridge inversion topology at the primary side of the transformer. The typical configuration here would be a full-bridge to give the unit that little bit of extra efficiency needed to reach a Platinum certification level, but FSP’s engineers managed to reach that efficiency threshold without it.

The secondary side is essentially placed on vertical PCBs. The smaller board is home to the LLC resonant circuitry and the larger board holds the majority of the secondary rectification stage, including the transformer itself. FSP’s engineers implemented synchronous rectification with very high-efficiency switchers (Toshiba TPHR8504PL), which is primarily how this unit reached so high-efficiency figures.

The 3.3V and 5V lines are being generated via the DC-to-DC conversion circuits, which is the norm for all high-efficiency designs. All of the secondary capacitors, electrolytic and polymer alike, are provided by Nippon Chemi-Con. A large number of additional filtering capacitors have been placed on the PCB holding the cable connectors.

Cold Test Results

Cold Test Results (25°C Ambient)

For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts.

When aiming for an 80Plus certification, designers usually focus on receiving the certification with an input voltage of 115 VAC, where the requirements are lower. The FSP Hydro PTM X Pro is a rare example of a unit managing to reach the 80Plus certification requirements regardless whether the input voltage is 115 VAC or 230 VAC. It displayed exceptional conversion efficiency figures, resulting to an average nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity) efficiency of 93.6% when powered from a 230 VAC source, which drops down to 92.2% when powered from a 115 VAC source. These figures are high even for an 80Plus Platinum certified unit. Furthermore, this is a very rare case where the efficiency jumps up momentously when the load increases towards 20%, so the losses when the load is very low are actually higher and make the unit run a bit hotter.

We ran our tests with the Eco mode disabled, meaning that the fan began spinning instantly when the PSU was powered on. The cooling profile of the Hydro PTM X Pro is very similar to that of the cheaper Hydro G Pro but the difference in efficiency gives the former a vast advantage. The fan stays almost inaudible while the load is lower than 500 Watt, at which point it will begin spinning quicker in order to cope with the increased losses. However, the noise does not reach very high figures and the fan never reached its maximum speed even though the component temperatures are very low for a unit with that high a power capacity. There was clearly much room for better acoustics here but, much like we have seen in their previous designs, FSPs engineers steer their designs towards reliability over acoustics.

Hot Test Results

Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient)

Every typical PSU design takes an overall performance hit when it operates in a hot environment. The FSP Hydro PTM X Pro displayed very high resistance to higher temperatures, with miniscule efficiency drop figures. The drop is an average of just 0.4% across the nominal load range and changes insignificantly when the PSU is fully loaded, suggesting that there is very little to no thermal stress.

The internal temperatures of the Hydro PTM X Pro are very low compared to any high output PSU operating in our hotbox. Although the temperature readings are on the heatsinks and not on the components themselves, these are amongst the lowest we have ever recorded from our testing of high output units and yet another indication that the engineers steered the design greatly towards reliability over everything else.

As expected, the hot environment changed the cooling profile of the Hydro PTM X Pro significantly. The cooling fan is relatively quiet when the load is very low but its speed will start increasing when the load goes above 200 Watt. The fan’s speed and, in extend, the noise increases almost linearly between 200 and 900 Watt load, at which point the fan reached its maximum speed. It is worthwhile to mention that the fan reached its maximum speed at a load much higher and while maintaining far lower operating temperatures than FSP’s 80Plus Gold certified unit.

PSU Quality and Bottom Line

Power Supply Quality

The electrical performance of the FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W PSU is excellent, even for a top-tier product. It displayed outstanding filtering, with a maximum ripple of 30 mV on the 12 V line and 16/14 mV on the 3.3V/5V lines respectively. Regulation is great as well, with the unit maintaining the regulation below 0.9% on all three of its primary power outputs.

As part of our standard testing, we test the primary protections of all PSUs we review (Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit). The FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 unit successfully passed all of the tests, generally reacting timely when needed and shutting down to protect itself and the components it is powering. The OCP and OPP protections are set a bit high, with the unit almost immediately reacting to 135% current and 128% load respectively. These protections generally tend to be slack on ATX 3.0 units due to the power excursion requirements.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, the FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 PSU is a unit that features a design combining reliable topologies with great quality components. The company’s engineers are using top-line active components that were essentially required to achieve its very high-efficiency ratings, as well as only Japanese capacitors from Nippon Chemi-Con that are known for their durability, ensuring that the unit can withstand heavy use and deliver consistent power.

Perhaps the most prominent feature of the Hydro PTM X Pro is its excellent electrical performance. The unit delivered outstanding energy conversion efficiency, even for an 80Plus Platinum certified unit, and can reach the certification's requirements regardless of the input voltage. Additionally, the voltage filtering and regulation are exceptional, ensuring stable power delivery to the system.

The thermal performance of the Hydro PTM X Pro is also noteworthy. The design favors reliability and low temperatures over acoustics, resulting in minimal-to-zero thermal stress. The unit’s components operate at very low temperatures, which is great for its longevity. However, the noise output of the Hydro PTM X Pro is mediocre, it's quiet at lower loads and tolerable at higher loads at room temperature, but with high noise output if both the load and the ambient temperature are high.

Hydro PTM X Pro’s current retail pricing is at $170, which is not too high but may deter some buyers as less efficient units can be found selling for significantly less. Overall, the Hydro PTM X Pro offers great performance and reliability. Despite the lack of groundbreaking features or figures, it is a solid choice for users looking for a dependable ATX 3.0 power supply unit with good all-around performance.

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With the ATX 3.0 era well underway, we've been looking at the first generation of ATX 3.0 power supplies to hit the market. Introducing the 16-pin 12VHPWR connector, which can supply up to 600 Watts of power to PCIe cards, ATX 3.0 marks the start of what will be a slow shift in the market. As high-end video cards continue to grow in power consumption, power supply manufacturers are working to catch up with these trends with a new generation of PSUs – not only updating power supplies to meet the peak energy demands of the latest cards but also to better handle the large swings in power consumption that these cards incur.

For our second ATX 3.0 power supply, we're looking at a unit from FSP Group, the Hydro G Pro ATX 3.0. Unlike some of the other ATX 3.0 PSUs we've looked at (and will be looking at), FSP has taken a slightly different approach with their first ATX 3.0 unit: rather than modifying its best platform or releasing a new top-tier platform, FSP went with an upgrade of its most popular platform, the original Hydro G Pro. As such, the new Hydro G Pro ATX 3.0 1000W PSU doesn't have especially impressive specifications on paper, but it boasts good all-around performance for an affordable price tag ($199 MSRP). That makes FSP's platform notable at a time when most ATX 3.0 come with an early adopter tax, with FSP clearly aiming to entice mainstream users who may not currently need an ATX 3.0 PSU but would like to own one in case of future upgrades.

As a true Original Device Manufacturer (ODM) that designs, develops, and sells its own PSUs, this sort of iterative strategy is one we've seen from FSP before and has traditionally served them well. For example, almost nine years went by between our review of the Aurum PT series and the newer Hydro PTM series. As in that case, as well as now with the Hydro Pro G, FSP likes to develop proven designs that they can offer to consumers and downstream OEMs alike for many years to come. All of which means that when FSP does update or overhauls a platform, it's for a very good reason – and typically warrants paying attention to.

Specifications and Design

In the Box

We received the FSP Hydro G Pro ATX 3.0 1000W PSU in a striking cardboard box, with an additional cardboard ribbon around it. The box is very sturdy and, on the inside, additional packaging foam slabs and a nylon bag protect the unit from shipping damage. A wealth of information about the unit and its new PCIe 5.0 12WHPWR connector can be found on every side of the box, which is going to be very helpful for brick-and-mortar customers in particular so that they can avoid confusing this PSU with the original (non-ATX 3.0) Hydro G Pro.

Inside the box we found a bare-bones accessories bundle, a notable choice considering that this is for a flagship-level PSU. The company supplies only a simple AC power cable, four mounting screws, and a basic manual. There are also two sets of side stickers, one green, and one red. The blue set is already glued to the unit. These stickers are permanent and cannot be removed without damaging them.

The FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W PSU is a fully modular design, allowing for the removal of every DC power cable, including the 24-pin ATX connector. Nearly all of the cables are black, ribbon-like, with black connectors. The only exception lies with the PCIe 5.0 12WHPWR cable, which also is all-black, but it is a classic sleeved cable instead.

FSP’s marketers have printed on the box that the 12WHPWR cable is rated for up to “9.2 A per contact, with all 12 power contacts”. Unfortunately, that ends up being misleading choice of words, as it implies that all 12 contacts can deliver current to the card. Each of the power contacts of the 16-pin connector is indeed capable of handling 9.2 A, but there are only six voltage and six ground contacts. Which means that the cable has a maximum continuous current delivery capacity of 6 × 9.2 A, which fully conforms with Intel’s design requirements.

External Appearance

The FSP Hydro G Pro ATX 3.0 1000W is rather compact for a 1 kW unit, with a chassis that is just 150 mm deep. It is technically not fully compliant with the ATX standard dimensions, which limit the depth of an ATX PSU to 140 mm, but 150 mm should not pose any problems in any modern ATX case. FSP sprayed the chassis with textured paint, which is aesthetically appealing and practically immune to fingerprints. The fan finger guard is a separate but custom part, with the company logo decorating its center.

The sticker with the unit’s electrical certifications and specifications covers about half the top side of the PSU. Decorative blue-themed stickers are pre-applied on the sides of the unit, which can be replaced with the red or green stickers that FSP includes in the package. The downside here is that the stickers will be destroyed once removed, making any choice technically permanent.

A typical on/off switch can be seen at the rear side of the unit, beside the power connector. Another small switch right next to it controls the “ECO Mode” of the cooling fan. When activated, the cooling fan will shut off while the load is under 300 Watts. The front side of the unit is home to the numerous connectors for the modular cables. A very subtle legend is printed under each group of connectors, sprayed directly onto the chassis.

Internal Design

FSP once again entrusted the cooling of their PSU to Protechnic Electric, a brand we usually find taking care of the cooling needs of their PSUs. The MGA12012XF-O25 is a 120 mm fan with a fluid-dynamic bearing (FDB) engine and an extremely high maximum rotational speed of 2700 RPM.

As we mentioned above, there are no hidden ODMs to discover here – FSP is both the designer and the manufacturer of the Hydro G Pro 1000 Watt PSU. A swift look at it reveals that it is based on nowadays common topologies and equipment, with the company clearly aiming for simplicity and reliability.

The filtering stage is textbook, with a total of four Y capacitors, two X capacitors, and two filtering inductors leading to a dual input rectifying bridge configuration. Both of the rectifying bridges have their own heatsink sandwiched in between them. The passive APFC components are a large 450V/680μF APFC capacitor by Nippon Chemi-Con and a large filtering coil wrapped inside a protective foil. The active APFC components are on a long heatsink right across the edge of the PCB.

Two transistors form a typical half-bridge inversion topology at the primary side of the unit, while six MOSFETs placed at the underside of the PCB generate the 12V line at the secondary side of the transformer. The 3.3V and 5V lines are being generated via the DC-to-DC conversion circuits. All in all, this is a very typical configuration for an 80Plus Gold certified unit. All of the secondary capacitors, electrolytic and polymer alike, are provided by Nippon Chemi-Con and Rubycon, both Japanese manufacturers.

Cold Test Results

Cold Test Results (25°C Ambient)

For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts.

The FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W manages to reach efficiency levels that would grant it an 80Plus Gold certification regardless of the input voltage. This is rare, as most manufacturers aim to meet the certification requirements with an input voltage of 115 VAC, where the required efficiency figures are lower. It has an average nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity) efficiency of 91.8% when powered from a 230 VAC source, which drops down to 89.3% when powered from a 115 VAC source. The efficiency gap between the two input sources is quite high, suggesting that the design has been optimized for an 230 VAC input. Nevertheless, this design has very good low and high load efficiency, which also suggests that minor tweaks could easily have it reaching 80Plus Platinum levels with an 115 VAC input voltage.

We ran our tests with the Eco mode disabled, meaning that the fan began spinning instantly when the PSU was powered on. The fan runs at very low RPM while the load is up to 400 Watts, which also is most of the range that the Hydro G Pro could operate without relying on its fan at all (enabling the Eco mode will keep the fan from spinning until the load reaches 300 Watts). However, when the load is greater than 450 Watts, the speed of the fan keeps increasing alongside with the load, reaching figures above 50 dB(A) while the PSU is operating at maximum capacity. The internal temperature of the PSU remained very low at all times, suggesting that the designer favored reliability over acoustics.

Hot Test Results

Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient)

As happens with every typical PSU, the efficiency of the FSP Hydro G Pro takes a hit when the ambient temperature rises significantly. The drop is an average of 0.6% across the nominal load range, which is reasonable for a well-designed PSU of this class. There is very little change on the efficiency drop when the PSU is heavily loaded, suggesting that the components are handling the high temperatures without any significant thermal stress.

The high ambient temperature duly results in high internal temperatures. Regardless, the component temperatures are relatively low when taking into account the efficiency and power capacity of the PSU. The Hydro G Pro is one of the few units that seem to have a significantly more efficient secondary side - the heatsink used for the two primary side transistors is substantial and does a fair job but the secondary side still runs cooler.

When the FSP Hydro G Pro operates inside an adverse environment, the cooling fan initially is fairly quiet and comfortable but only with a load of up to 300 Watts. After that point, the speed of the fan keeps increasing and even reaches its maximum speed of 2800 RPM significantly before the load is at 1000 Watts. The noise levels are very high by the time the load is at 500 Watts, and reach the practically intolerable level of 58.1 dB(A) at its peak.

PSU Quality and Bottom Line

Power Supply Quality

The electrical performance of the FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W PSU is very good, but there is a small catch. The company advertises voltage regulation as “under 1%”, however we found that to be incorrect, as the voltage regulation across the nominal load is at about 1.2%. And this ends up being the case on all three voltage lines.

Still, while this technically puts the PSU out of compliance with FSP's claims, it's hard to get too worked up; 1.2% is very good for a modern PSU. Filtering is very good as well, with a maximum of 38 mV on the 12 V line and 26 mV on the 3.3V/5V lines. Overall, these are very good power quality figures, especially considering the class and power output of the Hydro G Pro.

As part of our standard benchmarking, we also test the primary protections of all PSUs we review (Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit). The FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 unit successfully passed all of the tests, generally reacting timely when needed and shutting down to protect itself and the components it is powering. Perhaps even a bit too quickly for an ATX 3.0 unit, as the OCP protection kicks in almost immediately at just 108% of the unit’s rated ampacity, suggesting that FSP’s engineers managed to create an exceptional control circuit that can very quickly discern between a power excursion and an actual electrical fault.

Bottom Line

The Hydro G Pro series marks the first addition of FSP to the list of ATX 3.0 compliant PSUs. FSP tactically decided to release a product with good overall power delivery characteristics, but also making sure to accomplish this at reasonable price tag, tackling the competition in terms of value.

From an engineering point of view, the Hydro G Pro is not particularly advanced by today’s standards. If not for the DC-to-DC circuitry, this platform could very well have been released from 10-15 years ago. Nevertheless, the layout is cleverly designed and the components are of superb quality. FSP’s engineers clearly chose to go with a highly proven configuration and readily available components deliberately, ensuring the seamless production of a reliable product.

The overall performance of the Hydro G Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 PSU is good. It certainly does not break any performance record, but it will not disappoint most users. The highlight of its performance is its high and stable efficiency across the entire nominal load range, as well as the above-average efficiency at very low loads. Even though its voltage regulation is a little worse than advertised, the quality of its output power is very good, with the Hydro G Pro proving that it can deliver excellent power quality even when stressed under adverse ambient conditions. The powerful cooling fan will dishearten users that want a PSU capable of staying relatively quiet when heavily loaded, but it does keep the Hydro G Pro running at low temperatures for a unit with that kind of efficiency.

Overall, the FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W ATX 3.0 has been built using a tried and true recipe for success. It is a product designed with long-term reliability in mind, efficient, and with good overall performance. Furthermore, its retail price is very reasonable - with a retail price hovering around $130, it can easily compete in today’s market - all of which gives users currently in the market for a powerful PSU an avenue to pick up an ATX 3.0-compliant product without spending significantly more.

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FSP has revealted its power supply roadmap plans for 2024, anticipating the requirement to deploy updated power supplies following ATX 3.1 specifications and the all-new 12v-2x6 standard, which will replace the (still fairly new) 12VHPWR connectors. FSP displayed its new power supplies and PC cases at EHA 2023, covered by Geeknetic. 

The company has brought in updated features and a variety of options throughout its multiple ranges. This required the company to change its naming structure to differentiate its expanded product lines. This isn't different from what every power supply company does regularly.

FSP's Sub-Branding and Nomenculture

FSP starts with adding terminology to reflect the power supply's 80Plus rating, ranging between the 80PLUS White as W up to 80Plus Titanium as T. Essentially, all 80Plus ratings associated with a type of metal will be referred to in the PSU model with the first letter of those metals- Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium.

Furthermore, it will have three more nomenclatures to show the cabling system- D for non-modular, S for semi-modular and M for fully modular designs. Similarly, all entry-level PSUs will be called Vita, Advan is for mainstream, Dagger for High-End, and Mega for Performance. There's also a Special Edition nomenclature. Each PSU name will reflect certain paper specs for warranty, operation temperature, fan types, main capacitor, and other extra features as you climb its range. The Vita-G and Advan-G range power supplies will come with 10 year warranty period, while Vita-W and Vita-B will be for 5 years.

This should help FSP to have simpler understandable PSU names such as Vita BD for mainstream Bronze-rated non-modular power supplies, or Dagger PM for Platinum-rated power supplies with full modularity.

The Canon Pro 2500W Flagship

There are many power supplies covered at EHA Tech 2023, but perhaps the most interesting is FSP's flagship power supply with the updated ATX standard and the 12v-2x6 connector, which is expected to be a much safer option than the 12VHPWR connector. 

FSP is spearheading this with is the FSP Canon Pro 2500W, which we first saw a few months ago at Computex 2023. It will have an 80 Plus Platinum 230V rating, with a fully modular design (Hence "PM" Nomenclature) and complies with ATX v3.1 standard. This is 500W more than its currently available model, with actual efficiency said to be at least 89% at 100% load by FSP during Computex 2023. But earlier, the Cannon Pro 2500w PSU was displayed with two 12VHPWR connectors which can be swapped to connect six PCIe connectors. In the newer variant, you get four 12V-2x6 Gen 5 connectors or three PCIe 6+2 cables.

PCI SIG still has not formally finalized its 12V-2x6 auxiliary PCIe power connector, which is a revamped version 12VHPWR connector that promises to solve the melting connector issue, but FSP has already introduced its first power supplies with 12V-2x6 plugs at a press conference in South Korea, reports Quasarzone (via @harukaze5719). The company also revealed more information about the new power connector.

FSP plans to offer three different power supplies with 12V-2×6 auxiliary auxiliary PCIe power connectors: the ultra-high-end Hydro PTM X Pro ATX 3.0 12V-2×6, the midrange Hydro G Pro 1200W ATX 3.0 12V-2×6, and compact Dagger Pro ATX 3.0 12V-2×6 for Mini-ITX builds.

There are several visual distinctions between the original 12VHPWR connector and the updated 12V-2×6 plug:

• The port is now marked as 12V-2×6;
• Increased depth of the power terminal (from 4.2 mm to 4.45 mm);
• Increased opening of the sideband pin array (from 1.6 mm × 9.3 mm to 1.70 mm × 9.4 mm);
• Reduced sense pin length (from 4 mm to 2.5 mm). This design guarantees that the power header is completely engaged with the connector because if it is not, the power supply refrains from entering high power modes, preventing potential overheating and melting when a graphics card demands significant power.

When PCI SIG revamped the ill-fated 12VHPWR connector, it needed to address its main drawback: fixing force, which it reportedly did. But it also altered other specifications, according to the report that cites FSP, to avoid the 12VHPWR fiasco. As a result, the new specification mandates:

• A current rating of at least 9.2A per pin, with all 12 contacts activated and a temperature rise limit of 30°C above ambient at 12V DC. Connectors complying with this must carry an embossed H mark.
• While a single pin might carry a current of 9.2A or more due to contact resistance variations, the total assembly current shouldn't surpass 55A RMS in either direction.
• 16 AWG wires and pins should adhere to the stated current and temperature rise limits.
• The connector must withstand a pulling force of at least 45.00N.

As a result, a firmware update will be needed for the hardware to work with the new connectors properly. FSP plans to launch the new PSUs with 12V-2×6 auxiliary PCIe power connectors in mid-October, according to Quasarzone, but the pricing of the new units is unknown.

FSP has revealed the Cannon Pro 2500W power supply at Computex 2023, bumping up the capacity by 25% over the brand's previous flagship unit. Although power supplies are FSP's forte, the company was also keen to show off a new CPU air cooler.

The Cannon Pro 2500W is a server-grade power supply, but given its ATX form factor, enthusiasts can use the unit for desktop systems without hiccups. Measuring 5.9 x 7.9 x 3.4 inches (150 x 200 x 86mm), the Cannon Pro 2500W is an ATX 3.0-certified unit with support for the latest PCIe 5.0 (12VHPWR) power connector to power Nvidia's latest GeForce RTX 40-series graphics cards. Regarding capacity, FSP isn't the first to the market with a 2,500W unit as rivals, such as Super Flower, demoed a similar power supply in 2019. However, FSP offers the first 2,500W power supply with the latest ATX 3.0 certification.

The Cannon Pro 2500W pridefully carries the 80 Plus Platinum rating, meaning the power supply has an efficiency of at least 89% at 100% load. In addition, it features a modular design so consumers can connect the cables they need. With a capacity of 2,500W, the power supply can comfortably power up to four GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards. The GeForce RTX 4090 isn't a pushover, either, being rated up to 450W. Nonetheless, the Cannon Pro 2500W has more than sufficient capacity to handle four.

The Cannon Pro 2500W only comes with two 12VHPWR power connectors. However, the power supply provides six PCIe power connectors, allowing consumers to use the 16-pin power adapter for the other two GeForce RTX 4090 graphics cards.

The Cannon Pro 2500W wasn't the only mind-blowing power supply on display. We also saw the Anemoi series, an ATX 3.0 power supply that delivers 1,000W capacity with an 80 Plus Platinum certification. The dimensions of the Anemoi are 5.9 x 5.9 x 3.4 inches (150 x 150 x 86mm), so it's not much bigger than the Cannon Pro 2500W. What makes the Anemoi unique is the incorporation of aluminum heatsinks to help with cooling. It's a shame that the power supply's body doesn't allow any peeks into the interior.

FSP's Hydro PTM Pro product portfolio gets a new addition. The manufacturer has expanded the series with a new capacity of 1,650W. The dimensions (5.9 x 7.1 x 3.4 inches) didn't change, and the specifications, such as 80 Plus Platinum, remain untarnished. The Hydro PTM Pro 1650W offers two 12VHPWR power connectors.

For the small form factor (SFF) aficionados, FSP has prepared the Dagger Pro L, an SFX-L power supply with 1,200W of power. The ATX 3.0 power supply measures 4.9 x 4.9 x 2.5 inches (125 x 125 x 63.5mm) and will fit into the tiniest of SFF cases. On the other hand, the Dagger Pro 12VO is an SFX unit with an 80 Plus Gold rating and complies with Intel's ATX12VO standard.

The MX09 was the oddball of all the products and the only CPU air cooler FSP brought to Computex 2023. It has a 5.8 x 5.9 x 6.3-inch (147 x 149 x 160mm) footprint and rocks a dual-tower design. It appears to have a good bit of clearance space for very tall memory modules, a thermal configuration with seven heat pipes, and a heatsink with a closely-stacked fin layout. The MX09 supports various platforms and sockets, although FSP didn't specify which.

FSP has big plans for the consumer market this year. The vendor exhibited some new product lines, including the Vita, Advan, and Mega series, that will hit retail later in the year. 

The FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W is among the few Gold PSUs in this capacity category featuring ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatibility. Its performance is decent, but it isn't high enough to allow it to earn a place in our best PSUs article. Competitors like the Corsair RM1000x and the EVGA 1000 G7 achieve notably higher overall performance scores.

The Hydro G Pro with 1000W max power belongs to the new generation of PSUs, featuring ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatibility. There aren't many choices with native 12VHPWR connectors in the 1000W Gold category, and FSP was among the first to introduce a related product. 

Significant players, including Corsair, EVGA, and Seasonic, haven't released something on the market, yet. Thermaltake, with the Toughpower GF3 1000W, and Silverstone, with the DA1000R Gold, are two other choices in this category, meeting the ATX v3.0 spec for PSUs with 12VHPWR connectors.

With 150mm depth, the Hydro G Pro 1000 has compact dimensions. Nonetheless, FSP has the smallest, in dimensions, 1000W Gold platform, which is used in the EVGA 1000 G7, with only 130mm depth! Compact PSUs are easier to install, especially in smaller chassis, but the over-populated PCBs don't help airflow, hence noise output is usually increased. 

Moreover, it is not possible to install large enough cooling fans, with 135mm or 140mm diameter, in small PSUs, and smaller fans have to spin at higher speeds to offer the same airflow, producing more noise. The Hydro G Pro uses a 120mm, high-quality, fan, featuring a fluid dynamic bearing. 

Specifications of FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W

Power Specifications of FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W

Cables & Connectors of FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W

The cables are long, and the amount of connectors is satisfactory. The single 12VHPWR connector can deliver up to 600W. According to Intel's test plan, a 1000W ATX v3.0 PSU should be equipped with a 450W 12VHPWR connector, but most brands don't pay attention to this and use 600W connectors to make sure that the NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics cards can go all the way up to 600W. Not all 4090s have such high maximum power limits, though. 

Component Analysis of FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W

We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

The small PCB is equipped with equally small heat sinks. Except for the transient filter, the other circuits have enough space between electronic parts to allow for decent airflow. It is good to see the filtering caps on the secondary side being on the clear, without anything blocking airflow to them. 

Typically, for an FSP platform, we find some potentiometers on a vertical PCB, which might look tempting to adjust, but you should not do it! The build quality is high, and all parts that FSP used are of high quality, too. FSP is among the few OEMs using bulk caps rated for 3,000h @ 105°C. All other brands use 2,000h @ 105°C bulk caps. 

The transient/EMI filter...

The pair of bridge rectifiers can handle up to 50A. 

The APFC converter has two Infineon FETs and a single CREE boost diode. The PFC controller is an Infineon ICE2PCS02G IC. 

The main FETs are by Magnachip and arranged into a half-bridge topology. An LLC resonant converter is also used to boost efficiency. The resonant controller is a Champion CM6901T2X. 

Six Infineon FETs regulate the 12V rail. The same rail feeds two DC-DC converters, which generate the minor rails (5V and 3.3V). 

The filtering caps are provided by Japanese brands and are of good quality. Besides electrolytic caps

The standby PWM controller is an 97CL2N13 IC. 

Many filtering caps are installed on the modular board. 

The main supervisor IC is a Weltrend WT7527RA. 

Soldering quality is good. 

The cooling fan is a Protechnic Electric MGA12012XF-O25. 

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To learn more about our PSU tests and methodology, please check out How We Test Power Supply Units. 

Primary Rails And 5VSB Load Regulation

The following charts show the main rails' voltage values recorded between a range of 40W up to the PSU's maximum specified load, along with the deviation (in percent). Tight regulation is an important consideration every time we review a power supply because it facilitates constant voltage levels despite varying loads. 

Tight load regulation also, among other factors, improves the system’s stability, especially under overclocked conditions and, at the same time, it applies less stress to the DC-DC converters that many system components utilize.

Load regulation is not so tight. We want to see it within 1% at 12V and ideally below 0.8%. 

Hold-Up Time

Put simply; hold-up time is the amount of time that the system can continue to run without shutting down or rebooting during a power interruption.

The hold-up time is long and the power ok signal is accurate. 

Inrush Current

Inrush current, or switch-on surge, refers to the maximum, instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when it is first turned on. A large enough inrush current can cause circuit breakers and fuses to trip. It can also damage switches, relays, and bridge rectifiers. As a result, the lower the inrush current of a PSU right as it is turned on, the better.

Inrush current is high with voltage inputs we tried, 115V and 230V. A larger (higher resistance) NTC thermistor would help here. 

Leakage Current

In layman's terms, leakage current is the unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit to another. In power supplies, it is the current flowing from the primary side to the ground or the chassis, which in the majority of cases is connected to the ground. For measuring leakage current, we use a GW Instek GPT-9904 electrical safety tester instrument.

The leakage current test is conducted at 110% of the DUT's rated voltage input (so for a 230-240V device, we should conduct the test with 253-264V input). The maximum acceptable limit of a leakage current is 3.5 mA and it is defined by the IEC-60950-1 regulation, ensuring that the current is low and will not harm any person coming in contact with the power supply's chassis.

Leakage current is low. 

10-110% Load Tests

These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures. They also show how the fan speed profile behaves under increased operating temperatures.

The PSU delivers full and 110% load without any issues at high temperatures, but the  fan's noise goes through the roof. 

20-80W Load Tests

In the following tests, we measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10% of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). This is important for representing when a PC is idle with power-saving features turned on.

The fan doesn't spin at low lower than 80W loads, even at high operating temperatures. 

2% or 10W Load Test

From July 2020, the ATX spec requires 70% and higher efficiency with 115V input. The applied load is only 10W for PSUs with 500W and lower capacities, while for stronger units, we dial 2% of their max-rated capacity.

Ideally we want to see above 70% efficiency in this test. 

Efficiency & Power Factor

Next, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads and loads from 10 to 110% of its maximum rated capacity. The higher a PSU’s efficiency, the less energy goes wasted, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and lower electricity bills. The same goes for Power Factor.

Efficiency is good with normal loads, but pretty low at light loads. 

5VSB Efficiency

The 5VSB rail is efficient. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

Vampire power is low with 115V but much higher than 0.1W with 230V input. 

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise

All results are obtained between an ambient temperature of 37 to 47 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

The fan's speed increases linearly to the load and it allows the fan to spin at high speeds, at high operating temperatures, to cope with the thermal loads. 

The following results were obtained at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature.       

The PSU's passive mode lasts long enough at normal operating temperatures, close to 30 degrees Celsius. Noise exceeds 30 dBA with more than 770W loads and over 35 dBA with 840W and higher loads. In no case the output noise exceeds 40 dBA under normal operating temperatures. Hence the overall noise output remains low. 

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Protection Features

Check out our PSUs 101 article to learn more about PSU protection features.

The OCP triggering points are correctly set on all rails, and the same goes for OPP. The remaining protection features are present and work well. 

DC Power Sequencing

According to Intel’s most recent Power Supply Design Guide (revision 1.4), the +12V and 5V outputs must be equal to or greater than the 3.3V rail at all times. Unfortunately, Intel doesn't mention why it is so important to always keep the 3.3V rail's voltage lower than the levels of the other two outputs.

No problems here since the 3.3V rail is always lower than the other two. 

Cross Load Tests

To generate the following charts, we set our loaders to auto mode through custom-made software before trying more than 25,000 possible load combinations with the +12V, 5V, and 3.3V rails. The deviations in each of the charts below are calculated by taking the nominal values of the rails (12V, 5V, and 3.3V) as point zero. The ambient temperature during testing was between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Load Regulation Charts

Efficiency Graph

Ripple Graphs

The lower the power supply's ripple, the more stable the system will be and less stress will also be applied to its components.

Infrared Images

We apply a half-load for 10 minutes with the PSU's top cover and cooling fan removed before taking photos with a modified Fluke Ti480 PRO camera able to deliver an IR resolution of 640x480 (307,200 pixels).

The temperatures inside the PSU are low, with the filtering caps on the secondary side being among the coolest parts, which is highly beneficiary for their health. 

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Advanced Transient Response Tests

For details about our transient response testing, please click here.

In the real world, power supplies are always working with loads that change. It's of immense importance, then, for the PSU to keep its rails within the ATX specification's defined ranges. The smaller the deviations, the more stable your PC will be with less stress applied to its components. 

We should note that the ATX spec requires capacitive loading during the transient rests, but in our methodology, we also choose to apply a worst case scenario with no additional capacitance on the rails. 

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 1ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 1ms

Transient response is good enough at 12V but mediocre at 5V and 3.3V. Nevertheless, the 12V rail is the most important. 

ATX 3.0 Transient Response Tests

The following table shows the load that we applied. 

The PSU successfully passed all ATX 3.0 transient response tests for units equipped with 12VHPWR connectors. 

Turn-On Transient Tests

In the next set of tests, we measure the PSU's response in simpler transient load scenarios—during its power-on phase. Ideally, we don't want to see any voltage overshoots or spikes since those put a lot of stress on the DC-DC converters of installed components.

The spike at 5VSB looks nasty but it is below the 5.5V limit allowed by the ATX spec. 

Power Supply Timing Tests

There are several signals generated by the power supply, which need to be within specified, by the ATX spec, ranges. If they are not, there can be compatibility issues with other system parts, especially mainboards. 

From year 2020, the PSU's Power-on time (T1) has to be lower than 150ms and the PWR_OK delay (T3) from 100 to 150ms, to be compatible with the Alternative Sleep Mode.

The PWR_OK delay is within the 100-150ms region, so the PSU supports the alternative sleep mode recommended by the ATX spec.

Ripple Measurements

Ripple represents the AC fluctuations (periodic) and noise (random) found in the PSU's DC rails. This phenomenon significantly decreases the capacitors' lifespan because it causes them to run hotter. A 10-degree Celsius increase can cut into a cap's useful life by 50%. Ripple also plays an important role in overall system stability, especially when overclocking is involved.

The ripple limits, according to the ATX specification, are 120mV (+12V) and 50mV (5V, 3.3V, and 5VSB).

Ripple suppression is good on all rails. 

Ripple At Full Load

Ripple At 110% Load

Ripple At Cross-Load 1

Ripple At Cross-Load 4

EMC Pre-Compliance Testing – Average & Quasi-Peak EMI Detector Results

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of a device to operate properly in its environment without disrupting the proper operation of other nearby devices.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) stands for the electromagnetic energy a device emits, and it can cause problems in other nearby devices if too high. For example, it can cause increased static noise in your headphones or/and speakers.

΅We use TekBox's EMCview to conduct our EMC pre-compliance testing.

Three spurs go over the limit with the average EMI detector, and two with the peak detector. 

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Performance Rating

Overall performance is decent, but not competitive. The difference with the Corsair RM1000x and the EVGA 1000 G7 is large. 

Noise Rating

The graph below depicts the cooling fan's average noise over the PSU's operating range, with an ambient temperature between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Under normal operating temperatures, the average noise output is low. 

Efficiency Rating

The following graph shows the PSU's average efficiency throughout its operating range with an ambient temperature close to 30 degrees Celsius.

The average efficiency would be higher if the platform performed better with light loads. Still, the difference with most similar capacity Gold units is not high. The Seasonic and EVGA units, with the latter using an FSP platform, perform like Platinum units and not Gold ones. 

Power Factor Rating

The following graphs show the PSU's average power factor reading throughout its operating range with an ambient temperature close to 30 degrees Celsius and 115V/230V voltage input. 

The APFC converter performs well.

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The FSP Hydro G Pro 1000W, SilverStone DA1000R, and Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W are among the few Gold units with this capacity, offering ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 compatibility. This will change soon once Corsair, Seasonic, Cooler Master, and other significant brands release their new products. 

You might not need an ATX v3.0 PSU yet, for any of the existing GPUs, and the upcoming AMD GPUs won't even require 12VHPWR connectors. Still, for graphics cards needing 12+4 pin connectors, it is highly preferable to avoid using adapters. Adapters increase resistance. Thus they are not suitable for high-power applications. 

The Hydro G Pro 1000 is a decent offering in the corresponding category. Its primary assets are the native 600W 12VHPWR connector, the ATX v3.0 compatibility, and the low noise output under normal operating temperatures. Nevertheless, its overall performance is not high enough to worry the competition. Units like the Corsair RM1000x, and the EVGA 1000 G7, which uses an FSP platform, perform better. The 1000 G7 is noisy, though, because of its small dimensions. 

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Disclaimer: Aris Mpitziopoulos is Tom's Hardware's PSU reviewer. He is also the Chief Testing Engineer of Cybenetics and developed the Cybenetics certification methodologies apart from his role on Tom's Hardware. Neither Tom's Hardware nor its parent company, Future PLC, are financially involved with Cybenetics. Aris does not perform the actual certifications for Cybenetics.

The EVGA SuperNOVA 1000 G7 is a high-performance power supply, challenging some of the highest capacity models on our best PSUs,list. FSP delivered an excellent platform to EVGA with tiny dimensions and high build quality. The strongest competitor is the Corsair RM1000x (2021), which delivers the same performance levels with notably lower noise output. 

After numerous EVGA G series revisions, we have reached G7, with FSP providing the platforms. The G7 units come in four flavors, ranging from 650 W to 1,000 W. All have super compact dimensions, with only 130mm depth, the same as the SFX-L form factor. The dimensions of the 1000 G7 unit, which I will evaluate in this review, are 150 (W) x 85 (H) x 130 mm (L). In comparison the SilverStone SX1000 SFX-L measures 125 x 65 x 130 mm. This makes the 1000 G7 the smallest 1,000 W ATX PSU available on the market. One might wonder why vendors keep making smaller power supplies when very specific standards define the dimensions, but as long as it doesn't affect noise output and performance, I don't mind. 

There was no room for a larger fan, so FSP had to install 120 mm fans. Thanks to their fluid dynamic bearings, they shouldn't have a problem with the prolonged, 10-year warranty. EVGA was among the first to offer such long warranty periods, along with Corsair and Seasonic. 

The product's box is small, although it contains a powerful 1,000 W PSU. The protection inside is good, with foam spacers covering the PSU's edges. 

Once you take the PSU out of the box, you will also notice some LED indicators, which depict the load level of the PSU.

Specifications

Power Specifications

Cables and Connectors

Plenty of long cables and connectors are provided, including two EPS and eight PCIe connectors. You won't find any of the new 12+4 pin PCIe connectors, though, since this PSU is not ATX 3.0 or PCIe 5.0 ready. Moreover, I would like to see a longer distance between the peripheral connectors. 

Only the ATX connector has extra caps, which are for better ripple filtering. 

Component Analysis

We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

FSP makes this tiny platform. As expected, because of the high capacity, it is overpopulated, and identifying all parts without possibly destroying the PSU was pretty hard. Such PCBs always give us trouble during the part analysis process. 

The design is modern with a half-bridge topology and an LLC resonant converter on the primary side. We also find a synchronous rectification scheme on the secondary side for the 12V rail and DC-DC converters for the minor rails. 

The transient/EMI filter has all the necessary parts, so I expect low EMI emissions. Moreover, it is equipped with an MOV, which handles voltage surges coming from the mains grid, and I also found an NTC thermistor and relay combo for suppressing high inrush currents. 

The pair of bridge rectifiers is sandwiched between two heat sinks. 

The APFC converter uses three FETs and a single boost diode. The PFC controller is installed on a vertical board, an Infineon ICE2PCS02. The same board also hosts an operational amplifier (op-amp). 

Two Infineon IPP60R120P7 are the main FETs, configured in a half-bridge topology. Their driver IC is a Novosense NSi6602, and the LLC resonant converter is the usual aspect, a Champion CM6901T2X IC. Parts of the LLC resonant converter are installed on a daughter board because there was no room on the main PCB. 

The FETs that regulate the 12V rail are installed on a board next to the main transformer to minimize energy losses. Another vertical board hosts the DC-DC converters that handle the minor rails. 

The filtering caps are high quality. On the secondary side, all electrolytic caps are by Rubycon and the polymer ones by Chemi-Con and NIC. 

The standby PWM controller is by Power Integrations, and a NIKO-SEM P1006BD FET is the rectifier on the secondary side of the 5VSB circuit. 

Many Chemi-Con polymer caps are installed on the modular PCB for ripple filtering purposes. 

The main supervisor IC is a Weltrend WT7527RA.

Soldering quality is good. 

The fan is of high quality, and the fluid dynamic bearing will help it outlive the extended warranty if you don't have it operating under high operating temperatures all the time (> 40 degrees Celsius). 

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To learn more about our PSU tests and methodology, please check out How We Test Power Supply Units. 

Primary Rails And 5VSB Load Regulation

The following charts show the main rails' voltage values recorded between a range of 40W up to the PSU's maximum specified load, along with the deviation (in percent). Tight regulation is an important consideration every time we review a power supply because it facilitates constant voltage levels despite varying loads. Tight load regulation also, among other factors, improves the system’s stability, especially under overclocked conditions and, at the same time, it applies less stress to the DC-DC converters that many system components utilize.

Load regulation is tight enough on all rails. 

Hold-Up Time

Put simply; hold-up time is the amount of time that the system can continue to run without shutting down or rebooting during a power interruption.

The hold-up time is long and the power ok signal is accurate. 

Inrush Current

Inrush current, or switch-on surge, refers to the maximum, instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when it is first turned on. A large enough inrush current can cause circuit breakers and fuses to trip. It can also damage switches, relays, and bridge rectifiers. As a result, the lower the inrush current of a PSU right as it is turned on, the better.

Inrush current is high with both voltage inputs that we tried. 

Leakage Current

In layman's terms, leakage current is the unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit to another. In power supplies, it is the current flowing from the primary side to the ground or the chassis, which in the majority of cases is connected to the ground. For measuring leakage current, we use a GW Instek GPT-9904 electrical safety tester instrument.

The leakage current test is conducted at 110% of the DUT's rated voltage input (so for a 230-240V device, we should conduct the test with 253-264V input). The maximum acceptable limit of a leakage current is 3.5 mA and it is defined by the IEC-60950-1 regulation, ensuring that the current is low and will not harm any person coming in contact with the power supply's chassis.

Leakage current is low. 

10-110% Load Tests

These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures. They also show how the fan speed profile behaves under increased operating temperatures.

The PSU doesn't have a problem operating under high temperatures for prolonged periods, but you should expect high noise output. 

20-80W Load Tests

In the following tests, we measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10% of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). This is important for representing when a PC is idle with power-saving features turned on.

The unit achieves high efficiency under light loads, with minimal noise output because the fan doesn't spin. 

2% or 10W Load Test

From July 2020, the ATX spec requires 70% and higher efficiency with 115V input. The applied load is only 10W for PSUs with 500W and lower capacities, while for stronger units, we dial 2% of their max-rated capacity.

The PSU achieves over 70% efficiency with a 2% load, as the ATX spec recommends. 

Efficiency & Power Factor

Next, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads and loads from 10 to 110% of its maximum rated capacity. The higher a PSU’s efficiency, the less energy goes wasted, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and lower electricity bills. The same goes for Power Factor.

This is a highly efficient platform. There is room for improvement, though, at super-light loads. 

5VSB Efficiency

The 5VSB rail is efficient. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

We would like to see below 0.1W vampire power with 230V input. 

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise

All results are obtained between an ambient temperature of 37 to 47 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

The fan's speed increases linearly as the load and the operating temperatures increase. Given the small and overpopulated PCB and the high Wattage, this is the best FSP could do, also considering the ten-year warranty. 

The following results were obtained at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature.       

At normal operating temperatures, close to 30 degrees Celsius, the PSU's passive mode lasts for long, and the load on the minor rails doesn't seem to affect it. The 30 dBA mark is passed with 700 W and, with above 850 W, noise exceeds 40 dBA. 

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Protection Features

Check out our PSUs 101 article to learn more about PSU protection features.

OCP and OPP are set correctly. Lastly, the other protection features are present and work properly. 

DC Power Sequencing

According to Intel’s most recent Power Supply Design Guide (revision 1.4), the +12V and 5V outputs must be equal to or greater than the 3.3V rail at all times. Unfortunately, Intel doesn't mention why it is so important to always keep the 3.3V rail's voltage lower than the levels of the other two outputs.

No problems here since the 3.3V rail is always lower than the other two. 

Cross Load Tests

To generate the following charts, we set our loaders to auto mode through custom-made software before trying more than 25,000 possible load combinations with the +12V, 5V, and 3.3V rails. The deviations in each of the charts below are calculated by taking the nominal values of the rails (12V, 5V, and 3.3V) as point zero. The ambient temperature during testing was between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Load Regulation Charts

Efficiency Graph

Ripple Graphs

The lower the power supply's ripple, the more stable the system will be and less stress will also be applied to its components.

Infrared Images

We apply a half-load for 10 minutes with the PSU's top cover and cooling fan removed before taking photos with a modified Fluke Ti480 PRO camera able to deliver an IR resolution of 640x480 (307,200 pixels).

The main transformer and the vertical board holding the 12V FETs are the hottest parts. All in all, the temperatures on all parts are kept in control during this test. 

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Advanced Transient Response Tests

For details about our transient response testing, please click here.

In the real world, power supplies are always working with loads that change. It's of immense importance, then, for the PSU to keep its rails within the ATX specification's defined ranges. The smaller the deviations, the more stable your PC will be with less stress applied to its components. 

We should note that the ATX spec requires capacitive loading during the transient rests, but in our methodology, we also choose to apply a worst case scenario with no additional capacitance on the rails. 

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 1ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 1ms

Transient response is good, overall, especially at 12V where it matters the most. 

Turn-On Transient Tests

In the next set of tests, we measure the PSU's response in simpler transient load scenarios—during its power-on phase. Ideally, we don't want to see any voltage overshoots or spikes since those put a lot of stress on the DC-DC converters of installed components.

We didn't spot any issues during the turn-on transient tests. 

Power Supply Timing Tests

There are several signals generated by the power supply, which need to be within specified, by the ATX spec, ranges. If they are not, there can be compatibility issues with other system parts, especially mainboards. From year 2020, the PSU's Power-on time (T1) has to be lower than 150ms and the PWR_OK delay (T3) from 100 to 150ms, to be compatible with the Alternative Sleep Mode.

The PWR_OK delay is within the 100-150ms region, so the PSU supports the alternative sleep mode recommended by the ATX spec.

Ripple Measurements

Ripple represents the AC fluctuations (periodic) and noise (random) found in the PSU's DC rails. This phenomenon significantly decreases the capacitors' lifespan because it causes them to run hotter. A 10-degree Celsius increase can cut into a cap's useful life by 50%. Ripple also plays an important role in overall system stability, especially when overclocking is involved.

The ripple limits, according to the ATX specification, are 120mV (+12V) and 50mV (5V, 3.3V, and 5VSB).

Ripple suppression is good on all rails. 

Ripple At Full Load

Ripple At 110% Load

Ripple At Cross-Load 1

Ripple At Cross-Load 4

EMC Pre-Compliance Testing – Average & Quasi-Peak EMI Detector Results

Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) is the ability of a device to operate properly in its environment without disrupting the proper operation of other nearby devices.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) stands for the electromagnetic energy a device emits, and it can cause problems in other nearby devices if too high. For example, it can cause increased static noise in your headphones or/and speakers.

΅We use TekBox's EMCview to conduct our EMC pre-compliance testing.

Several spurs exceed the limits with the average EMI detector, but everything is fine with the peak detector. 

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Performance Rating

Overall performance is high. 

Noise Rating

The graph below depicts the cooling fan's average noise over the PSU's operating range, with an ambient temperature between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

With a larger PCB and fan, this platform could have a lower overall noise output. 

Efficiency Rating

The following graph shows the PSU's average efficiency throughout its operating range with an ambient temperature close to 30 degrees Celsius.

The 1000 G7 is highly efficient and this is why is rated as Platinum in the Cybenetics scale. 

Power Factor Rating

The following graphs show the PSU's average power factor reading throughout its operating range with an ambient temperature close to 30 degrees Celsius and 115V/230V voltage input. 

The APFC converter has decent performance.

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EVGA is near the top spot on our performance charts with the 1000 G7 unit, and this is not an easy feat, considering the mighty Corsair RM1000x that this unit has to face off against. Besides tiny dimensions, the 1000 G7 offers high efficiency, tight enough load regulation, good ripple suppression, and excellent transient response at 12V, which is the most important rail. The build quality is also high, and FSP used top-notch parts, including Rubycon and Chemi-Con caps, along with an FDB fan from a respected manufacturer. 

The LED load indicators on the PSU's side are a gimmick, though one that may still come in handy to some. Moreover, PSU downsizing has reached its limits with this product, which is in the SFX-L form factor's territory with only 130 mm depth. Anything less than that will require a smaller fan, and this is not an option if you want to keep noise output low enough. Despite the tiny dimensions, the EVGA 1000 G7 meets the Corsair RM1000x in overall performance, but it loses the fight in noise output because of the smaller fan and the overpopulated PCB. Still, it isn't noisy under normal operating conditions. 

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Disclaimer: Aris Mpitziopoulos is Tom's Hardware's PSU reviewer. He is also the Chief Testing Engineer of Cybenetics and developed the Cybenetics certification methodologies apart from his role on Tom's Hardware. Neither Tom's Hardware nor its parent company, Future PLC, are financially involved with Cybenetics. Aris does not perform the actual certifications for Cybenetics.

FSP has launched the the Cannon Pro 2000W, a PSU meant to feed Nvidia and AMD's next-generation products that will vie for a spot on the list of best graphics cards. The new power supply is already available on Amazon for $499.99.

Initially tailored to cryptocurrency miners, FSP's Cannon Pro 2000W offers 18 6+2-pin PCIe power connectors. FSP is promising stable, simultaneous operation for a maximum of nine graphics cards. However, now that modern graphics cards, such as the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti (Ampere) with its rumored 450W TDP are consuming more power, the Cannon Pro 2000W could serve a higher purpose. Although the power supply doesn't have any 12VHPWR power connectors, there are more than enough regular PCIe power connectors for those 3x8-pin to 12VHPWR power adapters.

The Cannon Pro 2000W clings to the standard ATX form factor with dimensions of 200 x 150 x 86mm. The power supply features the 80 Plus Gold certification, ensuring 87% efficiency at 100% load, 90% efficiency at 50% load, and 87% efficiency at 20% load. The Cannon Pro 2000W utilizes a single rail design and delivers up to 2000W with a small caveat. The unit tops out at 1200W with a 100V - 115V input and 1500W with a 115V to 200V input. Therefore, to exploit the power supply's maximum 2000W capacity, you need a 200V to 240V input.

As you would expect from any high-end power supply, the Cannon Pro 2000W boasts a DC to DC module design, Active PFC ≧ 0.9, quality Japanese electrolytic capacitors, and your usual cocktail of protections, including OVP, OCP, UVP, SCP, OPP, and OTP. As a result, FSP rates the Cannon Pro 2000W for 92% efficiency at a typical load and hold up time more than 17ms at full load.

The Cannon Pro 2000W depends on a 135mm dual-ball bearing fan for active cooling. It also utilizes an entirely modular design, so consumers only need to plug in the cables they need, which helps ease installation and cable management and improve cooling performance.

FSP doesn't specify the warranty period for the Cannon Pro 2000W on the power supply's product page.

In the PC world, brand-new technologies are often adopted by full-size desktops first, and only then move on to compact systems. This is what happened to Intel's ATX 12VO (ATX 12 Volts only) standard for power supplies, which came to ATX systems first. But new tech eventually moves to the majority of form-factors, and this week FSP introduced the industry's first SFX 12VO (12 Volts only) power supplies for compact systems and builds.

FSP's STX 12VO PSUs are fully compliant with Intel's ATX 12VO specification and feature a single-rail 12V+12Vsb circuit design. The ATX 12VO standard replaces the traditional 24-pin power cable with a 10-pin one and eliminates 3.3V/5V peripheral rails and cables completely. So FSP's FSP750-27SCB, FSP650-27SCB only have one MB10 pin connector, a 4+4-pin EPS12V connector for CPU, and two auxiliary power connectors for graphics cards (one 8-pin, one 6+2-pin). 

FSP says that it uses high-quality Japanese electrolytic capacitors for its SFX 12VO PSUs, and equips them with multiple protection mechanisms, including overcurrent protection (OCP), overvoltage protection (OVP), short circuit protection (SCP), overpower protection (OPP), and overtemperature protection (OTP).

Due to a major simplification of internal PSU architecture, FSP's STX12VO PSUs are considerably simpler to make than their ATX-compliant SFX counterparts. Unfortunately, we have no idea yet whether this simplification will have any effect on the price of these PSUs--although the first of anything rarely comes cheap, especially in the middle of a global pandemic and related supply shortages. But, since circuitry that converts 12V rail to 3.3V/5V is now located on the motherboard with the 12VO standard, the platform will gain some additional elements that will likely affect pricing. 

FSP has not announced an availability date for its SFX 12VO PSUs, but since the company announced them on its corporate website, expect them to be initially available to FSP's OEM customers. 

That said, expect SFX systems with a 12VO PSU to hit the market in the near-term future. Keep in mind that in California and some other states requirements for PC power consumption in idle mode are getting stricter. And one way to comply with the is to adopt ATX 12VO, so the emergence of SFX 12VO PSUs is likely to get a boost from companies aiming to comply while still delivering powerful PCs. 

The FSP Hydro PTM Pro with 1200W capacity is a powerful PSU, able to keep up with the energy needs of the new generation, energy-hungry GPUs. It falls a little behind in terms of overall performance compared to the high-end offerings from Asus, Corsair, Thermaltake, and Seasonic, so that it won't be added to our best PSU picks article. Nonetheless, its build quality is high, and a hefty warranty supports it. 

The FSP Hydro PTM Pro consists of four members with capacities ranging from 650W to 1200W. One major feature is that they all meet the new IEC62368 safety requirements. Another interesting feature is the Off-Wet technology "conformal coating," which protects the power supply and its internal components from dust and humidity. According to FSP, the Hydro PTM PRO series is tested to work properly even in 95% relative humidity. This is an interesting feature for users wanting PSU for harsh environments.

We will evaluate the flagship Hydro PTM Pro model with 1200W max power in this review. This unit uses a full-bridge topology, which is ideal for powerful power supplies. Given the ten-year warranty, we expect this platform to fare well in the long run and not cause any issues. Nonetheless, we will fully break the PSU to check its build quality and the quality of the parts that FSP used. A product review is not complete without a full break-down and a detailed part analysis. 

To keep noise output as low as possible, especially with light and moderate loads, FSP equipped this unit with a semi-passive operation. They call it ECO mode, and it can be deactivated through a switch located at the PSU's front side. So users wanting the PSU's fan to operate all around the clock have this option. 

Specifications

Power Specifications

Cables & Connectors

The PSU comes with not two but three EPS connectors! Apparently, FSP knows something that we don't (mainboards with three EPS sockets?) The problem here is that a pair of these connectors are installed on a single cable, and to make matters even worse, this cable uses the standard 18AWG gauges instead of thicker ones. This means that if you push both EPS connectors hard, you will most likely melt either the gauges or the connector on the PSU's side. If you want to offer three EPS connectors, you should do it properly, and this is through dedicated cables—each EPS connector on its own cable. 

There are no dedicated PCIe cables, and you should be careful not to use a single PCIe cable with two corresponding connectors on a power-hungry graphics card (e.g., Nvidia RTX 3080 or RTX 3090). Else you could damage both the PSU and the graphics card. 

The amount of provided connectors is huge, and it is also nice to see an adequate distance between the peripheral connectors. 

Component Analysis

We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

This is an interesting platform by FSP. What caught our immediate attention, besides the compact dimensions of the PCB, is that the main transformers are not properly aligned. There are also some potentiometers in view, but it is better not to mess with them. Usually, most manufacturers don't allow any modifications through potentiometers, but this is not a problem, from the moment the owners of this product are not supposed to open it, as we did. 

The heat sinks on both primary and secondary sides are super small if you consider a 1200W power supply. The PCB is also large enough to allow for good airflow, especially for the secondary side's electrolytic caps. 

On the primary side, we meet a full-bridge topology supported by an LLC resonant converter. A synchronous design is used on the secondary side, and a pair of DC-DC converters generate the minor rails. 

The transient filter uses four Y and three X caps, two CM chokes, and an MOV. There is also an NTC thermistor, supported by a bypass relay, for protection against large inrush currents. 

There are two bridge rectifiers capable of handling up to 50A of current, so they easily meet this PSU's requirements. 

The Active Power Factor Correction (APFC) converter uses three FETs and two boost diodes. The bulk caps are provided by Hitachi and have enough capacity to provide a longer than 17ms hold-up time. 

Four STMicroelectronics STF26NM60N FETs are installed in a full-bridge topology. An LLC resonant converter supports them, and the controller is a Champion CM6901T2X IC. The aforementioned FETs are driven by a pair of Silicon Labs Si8233BD ICs. 

Eight FETs regulate the +12V rail. It was impossible to identify them since all markings were erased. The aforementioned rail feeds two DC-DC converters, which generate the minor rails. The common PWM control of these converters is an ANPEC APW7159C.

Besides the VRMs of the minor rails, this daughter-board also hosts the supervisor IC, a SITI PS223H, and an operational amplifier. 

The electrolytic filtering caps on the secondary side are by Chemi-Con and Rubycon. Most of them belong to good lines, with four large ones from the mainstream, but still worthy, Chemi-Con KZE line. A large number of polymer caps are also used. 

Besides bus bars, we also find many polymer caps on the modular board. 

Soldering quality is good and all component leads are short enough. 

The cooling fan is of high quality. You cannot go wrong with Protechnic Electric fans. They are not affordable, but you get what you pay for. The fan controller is an APW9010 IC.

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To learn more about our PSU tests and methodology, please check out How We Test Power Supply Units. 

Primary Rails And 5VSB Load Regulation

The following charts show the main rails' voltage values recorded between a range of 40W up to the PSU's maximum specified load, along with the deviation (in percent). Tight regulation is an important consideration every time we review a power supply because it facilitates constant voltage levels despite varying loads. Tight load regulation also, among other factors, improves the system’s stability, especially under overclocked conditions and, at the same time, it applies less stress to the DC-DC converters that many system components utilize.

Load regulation is within 1% on the 12V and 5V rails. Still, the competition performs notably better. 

Hold-Up Time

Put simply; hold-up time is the amount of time that the system can continue to run without shutting down or rebooting during a power interruption.

Thanks to the large bulk caps, the hold-up time is very long. The power ok signal is also accurate.

Inrush Current

Inrush current, or switch-on surge, refers to the maximum, instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when it is first turned on. A large enough inrush current can cause circuit breakers and fuses to trip. It can also damage switches, relays, and bridge rectifiers. As a result, the lower the inrush current of a PSU right as it is turned on, the better.

The inrush current is low with both voltage inputs. 

Leakage Current

In layman's terms, leakage current is the unwanted transfer of energy from one circuit to another. In power supplies, it is the current flowing from the primary side to the ground or the chassis, which in the majority of cases is connected to the ground. For measuring leakage current, we use a GW Instek GPT-9904 electrical safety tester instrument.

The leakage current test is conducted at 110% of the DUT's rated voltage input (so for a 230-240V device, we should conduct the test with 253-264V input). The maximum acceptable limit of a leakage current is 3.5 mA and it is defined by the IEC-60950-1 regulation, ensuring that the current is low and will not harm any person coming in contact with the power supply's chassis.

Very low leakage current. 

10-106% Load Tests

These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures. They also show how the fan speed profile behaves under increased operating temperatures.

The PSU couldn't deliver 110% of its max-rated power, so we had to apply a bit lower load, at 106%. It looks worse, though, because it couldn't handle our CL2 test, where we apply full load at 12V and minimum load on the minor rails. This was a huge letdown. Even at lower temperatures, we weren't able to run a full CL2 test, since the PSU stopped after a short period. 

20-80W Load Tests

In the following tests, we measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10% of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). This is important for representing when a PC is idle with power-saving features turned on.

The efficiency levels in this load range are not high. 

2% or 10W Load Test

Intel plans on raising the ante at efficiency levels under ultra-light loads. So from July 2020, the ATX spec will require 70% and higher efficiency with 115V input. The applied load is only 10W for PSUs with 500W and lower capacities, while for stronger units we dial 2% of their max-rated-capacity.

The PSU cannot exceed 70% efficiency with 2%, of its max-rated-capacity, load. 

Efficiency & Power Factor

Next, we plotted a chart showing the PSU’s efficiency at low loads, and loads from 10 to 110% of its maximum rated capacity. The higher a PSU’s efficiency, the less energy goes wasted, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and lower electricity bills. The same goes for Power Factor.

We would like to see higher efficiency under light and super-light loads. 

5VSB Efficiency

This is one of the most efficient 5VSB rails that we have encountered so far. 

Power Consumption In Idle And Standby

Vampire power is high, especially with 230V input. 

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise

All results are obtained between an ambient temperature of 37 to 47 degrees Celsius (98.6 to 116.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

The fan speed profile is not aggressive. Still, it allows the fan to operate at high speeds under tough conditions because the PSU's PCB is small, so high airflow is required to keep the thermal load in control, despite the platform's high enough efficiency levels. 

The following results were obtained at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature.       

Passive operation lasts for quite long, under normal operating temperatures. Average noise output is kept low, close to 27 dBA. 

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Protection Features

Check out our PSUs 101 article to learn more about PSU protection features.

With high operating temperatures, we could not load the 12V rail higher than its nominal capacity, while at low temperatures, OCP on the same rail is set low. We are not sure why FSP left so little room for overloading on this rail, but this doesn't look right. 

Normally, OCP at 12V should be higher than 110%. On the contrary, OCP is set high on the minor rails, especially at 5V. There is no need for such high power levels at 5V and 3.3V. The only thing you achieve with this is increasing the possibility of something bad happening to the PSU. Finally, OTP is set pretty low, but this didn't create any issues during our tough test sessions. 

DC Power Sequencing

According to Intel’s most recent Power Supply Design Guide (revision 1.4), the +12V and 5V outputs must be equal to or greater than the 3.3V rail at all times. Unfortunately, Intel doesn't mention why it is so important to always keep the 3.3V rail's voltage lower than the levels of the other two outputs.

The 3.3V rail is kept at a lower voltage level than the other two, in all cases. 

Cross Load Tests

To generate the following charts, we set our loaders to auto mode through custom-made software before trying more than 25,000 possible load combinations with the +12V, 5V, and 3.3V rails. 

The deviations in each of the charts below are calculated by taking the nominal values of the rails (12V, 5V, and 3.3V) as point zero. The ambient temperature during testing was between 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit).

Load Regulation Charts

Efficiency Chart

Ripple Charts

The lower the power supply's ripple, the more stable the system will be, and less stress will also be applied to its components.

Infrared Images

We apply a half-load for 10 minutes with the PSU's top cover and cooling fan removed before taking photos with a modified FLIR E4 camera able to deliver an IR resolution of 320x240 (76,800 pixels).

The hottest parts are the bridge rectifiers, which are installed on a small heat sink. Still, their operating temperature is kept much lower than the maximum allowed, and given that they are overrated, you won't have any problems as long as the fan operates normally. 

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Advanced Transient Response Tests

For details about our transient response testing, please click here.

In the real world, power supplies are always working with loads that change. It's of immense importance, then, for the PSU to keep its rails within the ATX specification's defined ranges. The smaller the deviations, the more stable your PC will be with less stress applied to its components. 

We should note that the ATX spec requires capacitive loading during the transient rests, but in our methodology, we also choose to apply a worst case scenario with no additional capacitance on the rails. 

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 20% – 1ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 20ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 10ms

Advanced Transient Response at 50% – 1ms