FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1200W Power Supply Review

A powerful power supply, ideal for the new generation GPUs, from FSP.

FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1200W Power Supply Review
(Image: © Amazon)

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The strong points of the FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1200W are the high build quality, the large amount of provided cables and connectors, and its high capacity. The overall performance is satisfactory but it cannot match the competition. 

In terms of overall efficiency and noise output, FSP's offering can compete and, in some cases, even take the lead from units like the Corsair HX1200, the Asus Rog Thor 1200, and the Thermaltake Toughpower PF1 ARGB 1200W. FSP has made a good platform for this unit. Still, it needs more tuning in several areas like load regulation and transient response to register higher overall performance, which will make it more competitive. 

Moreover, in a modern PSU in the market for several years, we expected full compatibility with the newest ATX spec, demanding more than 70% efficiency with 2% load. There is also no Alternative Sleep Mode (ASM) support, so it won't utilize this feature once it becomes available. 

(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

Currently, the FSP Hydro PTM Pro 1200W is sold for 270 dollars, so it is notably more expensive than other similar capacity offerings from Corsair, SilverStone, and Thermaltake. The Corsair HX1200 might have 1% lower average efficiency, but it achieves higher overall performance, and it has a quieter operation. If you consider all the above and consider the lower price of the HX1200, it is tough to recommend the Hydro PTM Pro 1200W. 

FSP should work on all issues that we highlighted or notably lower this product's price to make it competitive. This is a well-built platform, but it requires some changes and tuning to reach the competition's performance levels. 

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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, Future PLC, are financially involved with Cybenetics. Aris does not perform the actual certifications for Cybenetics.

Aris Mpitziopoulos
Contributing Editor

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

  • Co BIY
    I would be interested in the reviewer's opinion of the conformal coating and anything he saw related to humidity-proof claims.

    Was it visible in the tear down ? is it actually different than other products ?
    Reply
  • Jeremy.L
    Co BIY said:
    I would be interested in the reviewer's opinion of the conformal coating and anything he saw related to humidity-proof claims.

    Was it visible in the tear down ? is it actually different than other products ?
    The conformal coating is hardly to find unless you use some devices to scratch the surface of the PCB board. Its overall performance is beyond my expectation.
    Reply