EVGA SuperNOVA 650 G3 PSU Review: Excellence Evolved
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware
Final Analysis
The SuperNOVA 650 G3 incorporates a number of improvements compared to its predecessor, including more compact dimensions, the FDB fan, quieter operation, and a nicer-looking exterior. On the other hand, we find it odd that the 650 G3 comes with fewer connectors than its predecessor. It is a great shame for such a capable PSU to only have one EPS connector and three PCIe ones (versus the two EPS and at least four PCIe connectors we want to see). It's unclear why EVGA and Super Flower restricted this PSU's usability with such a peculiar cable configuration, but we strongly believe it was the wrong decision. Updated models should be better than what came before in every discipline, at least remaining the same in certain areas. But in no circumstance should a newer model be inferior. Surely the diminished footprint and quieter FDB fan will make many enthusiasts happy, while fewer cables and connectors will bother others.
Thankfully, many mid-range Nvidia graphics cards only need a single PCIe connector. But the top models (GeForce GTX 1080 Ti and Titan Xp) need two, as do AMD's Radeon RX Vega boards. If you want to install a pair of high-end cards, the SuperNOVA 650 G3 is simply not an option.
EVGA's SuperNOVA 650 G3 demonstrates great performance in almost every discipline. Its hold-up time satisfies the ATX requirements, and its power-good signal is accurate. The only notable downside, beside the reduced cable/connector count, is an improperly tuned fan profile. In addition to getting overly aggressive at operating temperatures above 35°C, the fan also starts at unnecessarily high rotational speeds. With a lower minimum fan speed and a smoother ramp up to higher RPM, this PSU's overall noise output could be much lower.
One of the 650 G3's direct competitors is Corsair's RM650x, which gives up some points in the performance category, but generates a lot less noise. So, if you want a quieter PSU, the RM650x (or RM650i) is a better choice. On the other hand, if you're willing to tolerate noise in exchange for higher performance, EVGA's SuperNOVA 650 G3 should be at the top of your shopping list. For now, a $90 (with mail-in rebate) price puts this EVGA unit at the top of our value chart, too.
MORE: Best Power Supplies
MORE: How We Test Power Supplies
MORE: All Power Supply Content
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, Purch Media, are financially involved with Cybenetics. Aris does not perform the actual certifications for Cybenetics.
Current page: Final Analysis
Prev Page Performance, Value, Noise & EfficiencyStay On the Cutting Edge: Get the Tom's Hardware Newsletter
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.
This dazzling Raspberry Pi Christmas light show is incredible
Apple Touch Bar turns into a $119 standalone gadget — Flexbar features a 10-inch aluminum body with a 2K AMOLED display that communicates with a USB-C cable
Discrete GPU sales dip while Nvidia continues to dominate — iGPUs increase while discrete GPUs decline
-
bit_user I'm sure it's been said before, but it's worth repeating: SuperNova is a terrible name for a PSU!Reply
A supernova ... is a transient astronomical event that occurs during the last stellar evolutionary stages of a massive star's life, whose destruction is marked by one final titanic explosion.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supernova -
Co BIY "If you want to install a pair of high-end cards, the SuperNOVA 650 G3 is simply not an option."Reply
Wouldn't 650 watts be too little for a system with two high end cards anyway?
Nvidia recommends 600W for a system with a 1080 Ti in it. -
Aris_Mp You will only have problems if you try to feed 2x VEGA cards with a 650W PSU. The Nvidia high-end cards have low consumption.Reply
this article contains power consumption for all high-end Nvidia GPUs. Another one including AMD ones will be released soon.
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/best-gpus-for-mining-ethereum,5507.html -
gosubuilder I've had this PSU in my build sine around June 2017. Its been solid, haven't had any issues. Its noise isn't as bad as described in this article. I don't think I've stopped once thinking, "damn this PSU is loud" once.Reply -
jpe1701 They stopped putting 2 eps connectors in the 650 g2 as well. Mine came with only one and it was bought just a few months ago. Coincidentally would it be safe to use a splitter on that eps cable or was the original wired with connectors on different wires inside the sleeving?Reply -
10tacle 20898091 said:I'm sure it's been said before, but it's worth repeating: SuperNova is a terrible name for a PSU!
LOL I haven't thought of it that way, but Chevrolet sold a lot of Nova cars (started out as the Chevy II in 1962) between 1968 and 1987. They sold 1.7 million between 1968-1974 in 3rd generation alone so the name didn't bother the customer too much.
Anyway I'm assuming the same G3 series that plagued Aris' review of the G3 450 is now okay with the 650.
EDIT: I saw in that original review an update stated that EVGA advised all units since that review are made by SF and not outsourced to RSY. Aris does that mean the first batch of those G3 450s were RSY built?
https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/evga-450-b3-psu,5160.html -
bit_user
Maybe b/c regular novas don't produce black holes? Also, not sure how violent they are, as a supernova is thought to be different from novas in more than just scale.20899713 said:20898091 said:I'm sure it's been said before, but it's worth repeating: SuperNova is a terrible name for a PSU!
LOL I haven't thought of it that way, but Chevrolet sold a lot of Nova cars (started out as the Chevy II in 1962) between 1968 and 1987. They sold 1.7 million between 1968-1974 in 3rd generation alone so the name didn't bother the customer too much.
-
powernod nice PSU but it's unacceptable for a 650watt PowerSupply to have only 1 EPS connector.(EDIT: BeQuiet's 550watt DarkPowerPro11 has 2-EPS!! https://www.bequiet.com/en/powersupply/611 ) Even older AM3+ motherboards such as the ASUS CrosshairV Formula-Z that my brother has, use an 1x8 & 1x4 ATX12V power connector , so this PSU would be unable to power this kind of mobo!!Reply
Once again, excellent review by @Aris !! The best & most thorough PSU reviewer currently !!