EVGA GQ Series 750W PSU Review

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EVGA teamed up with FSP once again to produce the new GQ line, which is one step below the highly popular G2 series. The four GQ PSUs feature 80 Plus Gold efficiency and semi-modular cabling, promising quiet operation.

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Pros, Cons And Final Verdict

EVGA continues cooperating with FSP, one of the largest PSU manufacturers today. In this case, the outcome is a power supply family focused on achieving high performance per dollar ratios, and not pure performance alone. Surely the 750 G2 offers significantly higher absolute performance, thanks to its amazing ripple suppression and good response in our transient loads. But the 750 GQ's lower price makes it more appealing to builders on a budget.

The PSU's ACRF topology proves to be highly efficient, at least under normal operating conditions, and the +12V rail's load regulation is adequate. If FSP could suppress ripple more efficiently, especially on the 3.3V rail, and offer better response to transient loads, then the 750 GQ would match the performance of pricier competitors in this category, including the 750 G2.

At this time, that's not the case. So if you're after the best possible performance, stick with EVGA's offerings based on Super Flower's platforms. In addition, the noise output of this unit isn't as low as EVGA describes, at least under moderate and higher loads. If you can't stand noisy PSUs and your system would really tax a 750W unit, look elsewhere. Although the FDB fan inside the 750 GQ is of very high quality, it spins at up to 2200 RPM and consequently gets really noisy.

In general, this is a decent-performing PSU addressing folks who don't want to spend much. This product's strengths include high efficiency, semi-passive operation and the FDB fan. Moreover, we strongly believe that with a few internal changes, EVGA could offer much better ripple suppression and fix the bad transient response that dooms this unit's overall performance.

We admit that we are very sensitive when it comes to ripple performance, and after seeing the amazing performance of Super Flower's Leadex platforms (utilized by the G2, P2 and T2 lines), we're much more picky in this area. The lower the ripple, the longer the lifetime of the PSU's components, including capacitors. The system's stability improves as well, especially under overclocked conditions. The two performance-oriented points that matter most are load regulation and ripple suppression, after all.

We should note that the 750 GQ's +12V rail performs well enough; under normal operating conditions it won't exceed 60mV of ripple. However, the minor rails have more ripple and the 3.3V rail specifically can go out of spec under higher ambient temperatures. If FSP manages to improve the ripple and transient performance of this platform, then the GQ units will pose a serious threat to its competition, including EVGA's G2 line.

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Aris Mpitziopoulos is a Contributing Editor for Tom's Hardware, covering Power Supplies.

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Aris Mpitziopoulos
Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.

14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • 10tacle
    Huh. Johnny Guru gave two variants of this PSU series recommended ratings back in Nov. & Dec (650, 850). I saw a 650W on sale at NewEgg last December for $50(US) after rebate and almost recommended it to a friend, but I didn't as I hadn't seen a JohnnyGuru review on the GQ series yet (they gave it a 9.4). They also gave the 850W version a 9.2 rating back in November.

    Not sure what happened with this 750W example, but it sounds more like what one would expect with a Corsair CX750 example. Definitely not the same results that Johnny Guru got with two different GQ variants.
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    The lower capacity GQ models use a different platform from the higher capacity ones (850W and more).

    The design of the 650 and 750 GQ models doesn't allow for better performance, especially in ripple performance.
    Reply
  • dstarr3
    Eh, I'd stick with the G2 series. That's a lot more quality for only a small price premium. And really, the PSU is probably the worst place to cut costs in a system build.
    Reply
  • basroil
    Oh god, another PoS EVGA unit that shares a similar name to the spectacular G2... I can see a flood of "my graphics card has coil whine", "my computer constantly crashes", and "my headphones have static/popping (only when playing games)" posts in the forum soon...
    Reply
  • joz
    Eh, I'd stick with the G2 series. That's a lot more quality for only a small price premium. And really, the PSU is probably the worst place to cut costs in a system build.
    Agreed. G2 550 and 650's are great. And the P2 750+ if you need that sort of power are great too. But these...."craptacularripplefail," units EVGA is tossing out is really hurting their image. I understand market catering and such, but they need to rethink their strategy. They aren't going to win any price/perf races while Corsair can continue to throw their shitty cx units out the window to customers. And EVGA I hold to higher standards then Corsair, so its kind of a shame to see the performance of these lower quality power supplies.
    Reply
  • Dark Lord of Tech
    I would take the EVGA G2 , P2 , T2 over any other POWER SUPPLIES including Seasonic.
    Reply
  • jonnyguru
    Agreed. G2 550 and 650's are great. And the P2 750+ if you need that sort of power are great too. But these...."craptacularripplefail," units EVGA is tossing out is really hurting their image. I understand market catering and such, but they need to rethink their strategy. They aren't going to win any price/perf races while Corsair can continue to throw their shitty cx units out the window to customers. And EVGA I hold to higher standards then Corsair, so its kind of a shame to see the performance of these lower quality power supplies.

    Unfortunately, you can't be too profitable selling only niche higher end product. At some point, if you want the board of directors to let you continue putting out power supplies, you have to put something out that can do volume. The B2 Series, The GQ Series, etc. Don't like them? Don't buy them. Is it hurting their reputation? No. Not as long as higher end units like the G2, P2, etc. continue to be solid. But if they start to slip for whatever reason, then you can say their reputation is in jeoprady. Seriously. Hardly anybody judges the Corvette because of the Chevy Spark (well... maybe some Ford fanboys, but still).
    Reply
  • Dark Lord of Tech
    I like the GQ's and recommend them , also love the Corsair RMx series and recommend those too.
    Reply
  • PureBlackFire
    Huh. Johnny Guru gave two variants of this PSU series recommended ratings back in Nov. & Dec (650, 850). I saw a 650W on sale at NewEgg last December for $50(US) after rebate and almost recommended it to a friend, but I didn't as I hadn't seen a JohnnyGuru review on the GQ series yet (they gave it a 9.4). They also gave the 850W version a 9.2 rating back in November.

    Not sure what happened with this 750W example, but it sounds more like what one would expect with a Corsair CX750 example. Definitely not the same results that Johnny Guru got with two different GQ variants.

    well, this is hardly the first time an FSP platform performed reasonably well at 650 watts and sucked at 750. sure it won't be the last either. as for the 850, like Aris said, based on a different (better) design.
    Reply
  • 10tacle
    17373323 said:
    well, this is hardly the first time an FSP platform performed reasonably well at 650 watts and sucked at 750. sure it won't be the last either. as for the 850, like Aris said, based on a different (better) design.

    That's just not right. A certain series should be of the same quality across the series offerings. There's a reason people shop for different series for their needs (budget vs. quality, etc.). Hell it's complicated enough already just trying to keep up with each OEM series line offerings and their quality tiers. I mean we all know the general quality difference between Corsair's CX line and EVGA's G2 line.

    Reply