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Pros, Cons, And Final Verdict
We can't say the 850 BQ managed to impress us. Although it registers a fairly high performance per dollar score thanks to its affordable price, the unit's absolute performance isn't up to the levels we want to see. Load regulation is very loose, ripple suppression on the minor rails is mediocre, and the 3.3V rail's transient response is weak. To make matters worse, the efficiency levels are quite low, the inrush current under both voltage inputs (115V and 230V) is high, and the cooling fan is loud, even though it uses a reliable bearing. In order to keep the Teapo SC capacitors on the secondary side cool (along with the SBRs responsible for rectifying the +12V rail), HEC went with an aggressive fan profile that sets the minimum rotational speed at 1120 RPM! So, if you hate noisy PSUs, stay away from this one.
On the bright side, the 850 BQ offers a decent hold-up time and its power-good signal is accurate. The +12V rail's response to transient loads is pretty good for this price category, and you get a respectable number of connectors, allowing you to configure a potent system without any problems.
For $85, you get a 850W semi-modular power supply with lots of connectivity and a five-year warranty, so we probably shouldn't be super picky. But for a few dollars more you can find some nice Gold-rated PSUs capable of much higher efficiency. Besides cutting your electricity bill, they'll also run more quietly since their fans don't have to cope with as much waste heat.
Let's face it, 80 PLUS Bronze PSUs are living their last days. It's actually pretty hard to find new (and worthwhile) offerings in this category; Gold-class PSUs are more affordable than they used to be, after all. If the price difference was $20 or more, it'd probably be worth considering the best Bronze-rated models. But EVGA's 80 PLUS Gold 850 GQ sells for around $100. That's close to a $10 gap. So, we think the higher-efficiency PSU is a better buy.
The list of upgrades to the 850 BQ should include higher-quality caps on the secondary side, better ripple suppression on the minor rails, tighter load regulation, and a more conservative fan profile. However, with the help of our IR camera, we noticed that the +12V regulation SBRs can get quite hot in a matter of seconds, even under moderate loads (and the PSU operating in passive mode). This means extra work for the fan. Since HEC wanted to be on the safe side rather than dealing with warranty returns, it armed this unit with a reliable fan that'll spin quickly for most of its lifetime. No doubt, the company went with a TNB fan over a plain sleeve bearing one to make its five-year guarantee viable.
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