EVGA Introduces The PQ PSU Line
Even though its portfolio of PSU products is already vast, EVGA decided to make it even larger with the release of the PQ line, which includes three members with capacities ranging from 750W to 1,000W.
According to EVGA, all three PQ units' filtering capacitors as well as their bulk caps are provided by Japanese manufacturers. The provided warranty is 10 years long, matching the long warranty periods of EVGA's high-end models. An Active Clamp Reset Forward (ACRF) topology is utilized on the primary side of the PQ PSUs, offering high efficiency and lower production cost since it doesn't need extra components like an LLC resonant converter. According to our experience so far this topology achieves long hold-up times without needing huge capacity bulk caps and good efficiency levels. Nonetheless, the performance isn't up to the levels that the half-bridge topology offers with the help of an LLC resonant converter. You will find more about the ACRF topology's operation in this review, along with a scheme that lays everything out.
All PQ models are based on an FSP platform (GQ) that meets the 80 PLUS Platinum criteria, though it hasn't been evaluated by Cybenetics yet, so we don't know about its operating noise. (EVGA said all three units are "whisper quiet.") This platform uses a semi-modular cable design that won't be appreciated by some users who prefer all cables to be modular. Besides the cable design, another let-down is the PQ models' large dimensions. You can find 750W units with 140mm length and 1kW ones with 160mm, so the PQ models' 180mm length is on the large side.
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We spotted the PQ models on Newegg with the availability date set on 4/11. Their price tags don't look very competitive--they are exactly the same price as the similar capacity Corsair HX models, however the latter use a more capable platform and also utilize a fully modular cable design. If EVGA wants to see those new products succeed, it should cut their prices by at least $20-$30. Moreover, in the 750W category there is also the Seasonic Focus Plus Platinum, which is currently sold at $104, offering a 10-year warranty, lots of cables/connectors, good performance, and a fully modular cable design along with 140mm length, so it is a no-brainer compared to the 750 PQ, for which EVGA asks $140.
| EVGA PQ Series Features & Specs | |
|---|---|
| P/N | 210-PQ-1000, 210-PQ-0850, 210-PQ-0750 |
| M/N | 1,000/850/750 PQ |
| OEM | FSP (GQ Platform) |
| Capacities (W) | 1000, 850, 750 |
| PFC | Active PFC |
| Efficiency | 80 PLUS Platinum |
| Noise | No Cybenetics Rating |
| Modular | Yes (Semi) |
| Intel Haswell Ready | Yes |
| Operating temperature | 0°C - 50°C |
| Protections | Over Voltage Protection Under Voltage Protection Over Power Protection Over Current Protection Over Temperature Protection Short Circuit Protection |
| Cooling | 135mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing |
| Semi-Passive Mode | Yes (Selectable) |
| Dimensions | 150mm (W) x 85mm (H) x 180mm (D) |
| Compliance | ATX12V v2.4, EPS 2.92 |
| EPS Connectors | 1,000/850/750 PQ: 2x |
| PCIe Connectors | 1,000 PQ: 6+2pin x 10 850 PQ: 6+2pin x 8 750 PQ: 6+2pin x 6 |
| SATA Connectors | 1,000/850/750 PQ: 9x |
| 4-Pin Molex Connectors | 1,000/850/750 PQ: 9x |
| +12V Max Power | 1,000 PQ: 999.6W 850 PQ: 849.6W 750 PQ: 750W |
| 5V & 3.3V Max Power | 1000/850/750 PQ: 120W |
| Warranty | 10 years |
| Price | 1,000 PQ: $210 850 PQ: $160 750 PQ: $140 |
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Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.
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dudmont Good criticisms, although I don't think semi-modular is worth complaining about, as the only fixed cables are must haves anyways(disclaimer, I have nothing but fully-modular units in my machines, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy a semi, if the "deal" was right).Reply -
Aris_Mp My only concern is that at this price level you get fully modular PSUs. Of course there is nothing wrong about semi-modular PSUs, although I highly prefer fully modular ones :)Reply -
madmatt30 How much !?!?!? These are based on the gq platform but with platinum efficiency (which will save around 2c a year over gold) .Reply
A gq 750 can currently be had for $85!
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dudmont Reply20862272 said:My only concern is that at this price level you get fully modular PSUs. Of course there is nothing wrong about semi-modular PSUs, although I highly prefer fully modular ones :)
I guess my question is, would that be a price criticism or a criticism of it not being fully modular? Because I agree with you, if they're charging fully modular prices, then it should be fully modular, or they should charge semi-modular price.
Aris, I think you do all of a us a huge service with your PSU reviews. New builders don't always realize that the PSU is the single most important part of their build. Keep up the good work. -
KD_Gaming The only reason you would need a fully modular psu ever is if you planed on replacing the cables with some color matched cables for a show type look.Reply
Oh and madmatt30, it's actually a good amount more than 2cents. Figure 2% difference with say average user gaming load of 300watt is 60 watts per hour. Average 10hrs a week light load. 2.4kwh extra per month. At my electric cost that is about 2$ a month in savings for only 10hr usage.