FSP Hydro G 650 Power Supply Review

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FSP recently released a new PSU platform that mostly addresses gamers. The Hydro G line includes three units, and today we're testing the 650W version. The PSU is 80 Plus Gold certified and features fully modular cabling. Let's see how it performs.

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Ripple Measurements

To learn how we measure ripple, please click here.

The following table includes the ripple levels we measured on the Hydro G 650's rails. The limits, according to the ATX specification, are 120mV (+12V) and 50mV (5V, 3.3V and 5VSB).

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Test 12V 5V 3.3V 5VSB Pass/Fail
10% Load 5.9mV 6.3mV 5.4mV 11.1mV Pass
20% Load 26.4mV 5.7mV 7.4mV 10.3mV Pass
30% Load 20.2mV 7.0mV 8.0mV 14.2mV Pass
40% Load 20.1mV 11.1mV 9.9mV 15.9mV Pass
50% Load 20.3mV 12.4mV 10.2mV 18.5mV Pass
60% Load 19.8mV 11.0mV 10.8mV 13.7mV Pass
70% Load 20.0mV 11.6mV 12.2mV 18.6mV Pass
80% Load 20.1mV 12.9mV 13.5mV 19.8mV Pass
90% Load 21.0mV 14.0mV 14.4mV 20.3mV Pass
100% Load 22.6mV 14.6mV 16.3mV 22.5mV Pass
110% Load 24.9mV 16.3mV 17.7mV 22.6mV Pass
Cross-Load 1 21.5mV 7.8mV 8.3mV 9.9mV Pass
Cross-Load 2 22.3mV 10.2mV 16.6mV 15.1mV Pass

Ripple suppression is very good on all rails. It might not be up to the level of Super Flower's power supplies, but we can still call the Hydro G 650 a ripple-proof PSU that totally covers the needs of enthusiasts looking for clean voltage outputs.

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Ripple Oscilloscope Screenshots

The following oscilloscope screenshots illustrate the AC ripple and noise registered on the main rails (+12V, 5V, 3.3V and 5VSB). The bigger the fluctuations on the screen, the bigger the ripple/noise. We set 0.01V/Div (each vertical division/box equals 0.01V) as the standard for all measurements.

Ripple At Full Load

Ripple At 110-Percent Load

Ripple At Cross-Load 1

Ripple At Cross-Load 2

TOPICS
Aris Mpitziopoulos
Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

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

14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Onus
    I see a Performance Per Dollar chart, but so far I've not been able to find the price of this unit. What is it?
    Reply
  • sammy sung
    Hopefully a competitive price scheme. Looks awesome though, very nice aesthetic
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    I see a Performance Per Dollar chart, but so far I've not been able to find the price of this unit. What is it?

    It is 90 bucks

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817104200&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-VigLink2-_-na-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3821802&SID=il40akd6as0035wt00053
    Reply
  • mrjhh
    I remember FSP being an OEM for older computer vendors like DEC, so they definitely aren't a newcomer to the field. I'm glad to see they know how to build a modern supply.
    Reply
  • Onus
    IMHO FSP has always had a solid but "middle-of-the-pack" reputation; not anybody's first choice, but a lot better than a lot of the junk being sold. Even their Raider units that got very critical reviews were acceptable as budget units in light use. In big box PCs, I'd certainly rather see FSP than HEC or Bestec.
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    I see "op amp amplifier" mentioned several times in the review.
    What is an "op amp amplifier"
    Doesn't amp stand for amplifier in this context, which expands to op amplifier amplifier?
    Reply
  • Odd naming scheme for a power supply. Hope it doesn't confuse anyone into thinking water goes well with it. :P

    Always good to see some of the larger if less well known manufacturers putting out quality units.
    Reply
  • Aris_Mp
    What is an "op amp amplifier"

    short for operational amplifier
    Reply
  • jeffunit
    What is an "op amp amplifier"

    short for operational amplifier

    op amp is short for operational amplifier.
    op amp amplifier is short for operational amplifier amplifier.
    You need to pay more attention to what is written.
    Reply
  • turkey3_scratch
    Good performing power supply. In terms of voltages and ripple, beats the EVGA GS. I would never hesitate to recommend this unit, if it is priced well of course, which it already is not.
    Reply