EVGA SuperNOVA 550 GS PSU Review

A Look Inside And Component Analysis

Parts Description

Our main tools for disassembling PSUs are a Thermaltronics soldering and rework station and a Hakko 808 desoldering gun.

Image 1 of 5

This PSU utilizes a Seasonic platform that we haven't encountered before. The first thing we noticed is that all switching MOSFETs except for the ones used in the DC-DC converters are installed on the solder side of the main PCB. This allows for the installation of only one large heat sink with nothing bolted onto it. This heat sink helps dissipate thermal energy from the installed MOSFETs below it. We don't know what led Seasonic to use only surface-mount MOSFETs in this PSU, but the company must have had its reasons. And, according to our test results, this PSU achieves high efficiency levels under light and normal loads. On the primary side, a half-bridge topology is utilized along with an LLC resonant converter, while on the secondary side, a synchronous design is used with two DC-DC converters regulating the minor rails.

Image 1 of 7

The first part of the EMI filter is right behind the AC receptacle and is shielded. It includes two Y caps and a single X cap. The remaining parts of this filter are on the main PCB, consisting of two pairs of Y caps, one X cap, two CM chokes and an MOV. The EMI filter is more than complete in this unit.

The single bridge rectifier (model number GBU10V08) is bolted on a dedicated heat sink. It can rectify up to 10A of current, so it easily meets this PSU's demands. After the aforementioned bridge rectifier, we find the PFC input capacitor, which filters high-frequency ripple.

Image 1 of 10

In the APFC converter, two Infineon IPD65R225C7 FETs are used along with a Vishay 8EWX06FN boost diode, both soldered on the solder side of the PCB. A large heat sink along with a much smaller heat sink are installed on the component side of the PCB. The bulk cap is provided by Rubycon (420V, 470uF, 3000h at 105 degrees C, MXG) and seems to have enough capacity to offer sufficient hold-up time. Taking into account the bulk cap's specifications and assuming a 60-degree Celsius operating temperature, its expected lifetime is 75,000 hours or 8.5 years of continuous operation. It's more likely that the cooling fan will fail before this bulk capacitor, especially since a 60C internal PSU temperature reflects an extreme case. Next to the bulk cap, the NTC thermistor is installed for protection against large inrush currents, along with an electromagnetic relay that bypasses the thermistor once the start-up phase finishes.

The main switchers, arranged into a half-bridge topology, include two Infineon IPD50R280CE FETs. These FETs dissipate heat through the PSU's chassis, since there isn't a heat sink installed on top of them. Instead, we find an LLC resonant tank. The combo APFC/resonant controller (model number NCP1910 IC) provided by ON Semiconductor is installed on a daughter board. On the same board, we also find a HY-510N supervisor IC, which offers only basic protection features (OVP, UVP, SCP). The over-power protection, which is an essential feature (especially when over-current protection isn't present), is handled by the NCP1910 IC.

Image 1 of 10

On the secondary side of the PCB, four NXP PSMN2R6-40YS FETs are used for the generation of the +12V rail along with two SBR10U45S SBRs that increase efficiency. They replace the body diodes of these FETs, which have larger voltage drops. The minor rails regulate two DC-DC converters, which are installed on two small heat sinks. The view of the components used on the DC-DC converters was blocked, and we didn't want to fully desolder both boards in order to identify them. Finally, ripple filtering on the secondary side of the main PCB is done by a mix of polymer and electrolytic caps manufactured by Chemi-Con. We also found a small Rubycon electrolytic cap.

The standby PWM controller is a Fairchild FSQ0365, while the Schottky Barrier Rectifier (SBR) that generates the 5VSB rail is an SBR10U45S. The SBR is installed on the solder side of the main PCB.

Image 1 of 6

On the front of the modular PCB, a mix of Chemi-Con, Enesol and NIC polymer caps, along with a single, small electrolytic cap, are used to filter the rails. We're not impressed by the build quality on the back side of the modular PCB, though. We are used to higher standards from Seasonic. In this PSU, we noticed several flaws like the leaning daughter board that holds the APFC/resonant controller and the awkward installation of the header that provides voltage signals to the modular board.

Image 1 of 3

Fortunately, soldering quality at the rear side of the main PCB is pretty good, although not among Seasonic's best. This isn't one of the company's high-end platforms of course, so we can't expect perfection.

The cooling fan uses a Teflon-coated bearing that, along with an air pressure effect, provides better characteristics and a longer lifetime compared to sleeve-bearing fans. According to EVGA, this type of bearing offers low noise output and should last longer than 80,000 hours at 40 degrees C ambient. Since it doesn't use oil, it isn't prone to leakage. On top of that, it is more suitable for horizontal installation, which is the main problem for sleeve-bearing fans that don't have gaskets to secure the oil inside the bearing's compartment.