Tom's Hardware Verdict

The MPG A650GF has good build quality and achieves high enough overall performance, which cannot meet eye-to-eye though, the competing offerings from Corsair and XPG.

Pros

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+ Full power at 47 degrees Celsius
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+ High enough overall performance
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+ Good build quality
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+ Quality cooling fan
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+ Silent operation
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+ Tight enough load regulation
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+ Efficient
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+ Fully modular
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+ Loads of connectors
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+ Adequate distance between peripheral connectors
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+ 10-year warranty

Cons

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Lower than 17ms hold-up time
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Shorter than 1ms PWR_OK inactive to DC loss delay
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Increased EMI emissions
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Mediocre transient response
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Low PF readings
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Lower than 70% efficiency with 2% load
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Not ASM compatible

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Specifications and Part Analysis

The MPG A650GF is a good product, proving that MSI did well to cooperate with Channel Well Technology for its first major PSU line. It might not be a threat to the might Corsair RM650x (2021) and the XPG Core Reactor with similar capacity, but its performance is close to the Asus Rog Strix 650, without costing as much. Despite its good performance, it doesn't manage to take the lead, though, so it cannot earn a place in our best PSUs article.

So far, MSI's presence in the power supply market looks good since this big brand chose Channel Well Technology, a highly respectable manufacturer, to build its MPG line. We have already evaluated the 750W member of the line. Today's review will take a detailed look at the smallest MPG member with 650W maximum power, which is enough for a potent gaming system. Besides a fully modular cable design, the A650GF features Gold efficiency in the 80 PLUS Standard and Platinum by Cybenetics. Lastly, the Cybenetics-A noise rating shows that it is a silent PSU.

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MSI MPG A650GF — (Image credit: Tom's Hardware)

The extra-long warranty, at ten years, is good news for all future buyers, and the double ball-bearing fan won't have a problem outliving it, even under harsh operating conditions—nonetheless, the lower operating temperatures, the better for the PSU's longevity. Finally, the dimensions are typical, with 160mm in depth. Compact PSUs usually have high noise output because of their smaller fans and over-populated PCBs, which don't allow for optimal airflow.

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Specifications of MSI MPG A650GF

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Manufacturer (OEM)	CWT
Max. DC Output	650W
Efficiency	80 PLUS Gold, Cybenetics Platinum (89-91%)
Noise	Cybenetics A (20-25 dB[A])
Modular	✓ (fully)
Intel C6/C7 Power State Support	✓
Operating Temperature (Continuous Full Load)	0 - 40°C
Over Voltage Protection	✓
Under Voltage Protection	✓
Over Power Protection	✓
Over Current (+12V) Protection	✓ (only +12VMBPH and +12VCPU)
Over Temperature Protection	✓
Short Circuit Protection	✓
Surge Protection	✓
Inrush Current Protection	✓
Fan Failure Protection	✗
No Load Operation	✓
Cooling	140mm Double Ball Bearing Fan (HA1425M12B-Z)
Semi-Passive Operation	✗
Dimensions (W x H x D)	150 x 85 x 160mm
Weight	1.5 kg (3.31 lb)
Form Factor	ATX12V v2.52, EPS 2.92
Warranty	10 Years

Power Specifications of MSI MPG A650GF

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Rail	Row 0 - Cell 1	3.3V	5V	12VMBPH	12VCPU	12VVGA1	12VVGA2	5VSB	-12V
Max. Power	Amps	20	20	25	25	30	30	2.5	0.3
Watts	Row 2 - Cell 1	100	Row 2 - Cell 3	Row 2 - Cell 4	650	Row 2 - Cell 6	Row 2 - Cell 7	Row 2 - Cell 8	Row 2 - Cell 9
Total Max. Power (W)	Row 3 - Cell 1	Row 3 - Cell 2	Row 3 - Cell 3	Row 3 - Cell 4	650	Row 3 - Cell 6	Row 3 - Cell 7	Row 3 - Cell 8	Row 3 - Cell 9

Cables and Connectors of MSI MPG A650GF

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Description	Cable Count	Connector Count (Total)	Gauge	In Cable Capacitors
ATX connector 20+4 pin (600mm)	1	1	18AWG	No
4+4 pin EPS12V (700mm)	2	2	18AWG	No
6+2 pin PCIe (500mm+150mm)	2	4	18AWG	No
SATA (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm)	2	8	18AWG	No
4 pin Molex (500mm+150mm+150mm+150mm) / FDD (+150mm)	1	4 / 1	18-20AWG	No
AC Power Cord (1400mm) - C13 coupler	1	1	18AWG	-

There are plenty of connectors, given that this PSU "only" has 650W output. Moreover, all cables are long, with adequate distance between peripheral connectors.

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Component Analysis of MSI MPG A650GF

We strongly encourage you to have a look at our PSUs 101 article, which provides valuable information about PSUs and their operation, allowing you to better understand the components we're about to discuss.

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General Data	-
Manufacturer (OEM)	CWT
PCB Type	Double Sided
Primary Side	-
Transient Filter	4x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV, 1x Power Integrations CAP004DG (Discharge IC)
Inrush Protection	NTC Thermistor SCK-055 (5 Ohm) & Relay
Bridge Rectifier(s)	2x GBU1006 (600V, 10A @ 100°C)
APFC MOSFETs	2x Infineon IPA60R190P6 (600V, 12.7A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.19Ohm)
APFC Boost Diode	1x STMicroelectronics STTH8S06D (600V, 8A)
Bulk Cap(s)	1x Nippon Chemi-Con (420V, 470uF, 2,000h @ 105°C, KMQ)
Main Switchers	2x ON Semiconductor FCPF125N65S3 (650V, 15A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.125Ohm)
APFC Controller	Champion CM6502UHH & CM03X
Resonant Controller	Champion CM6901X
Topology	Primary side: APFC, Half-Bridge & LLC converter Secondary side: Synchronous Rectification & DC-DC converters
Secondary Side	-
+12V MOSFETs	4x Infineon BSC014N06NS (60V, 152A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 1.45mOhm)
5V & 3.3V	DC-DC Converters: 2x UBIQ QM3006D (30V, 57A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 5.5mOhm) 2x UBIQ QM3016D (30V, 68A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 4mOhm) PWM Controller(s): ANPEC APW7159C
Filtering Capacitors	Electrolytic: 6x Nippon Chemi-Con (2-5,000h @ 105°C, KZE), 2x Nippon Chemi-Con (5-6,000h @ 105°C, KZH), 1x Rubycon (4-10,000h @ 105°C, YXJ), 8x Nichicon (4-10,000h @ 105°C, KY), 3x Nichicon (4-10,000h @ 105°C, KYA) Polymer: 11x FPCAP, 7x Nippon Chemi-Con
Supervisor IC	Sitronix ST9S429-PG14 (OCP, OVP, UVP, SCP, PG) & EST EST7618 (OCP, SC)
Fan Model	Hong Hua HA1425M12B-Z (140mm, 12V, 0.36A, Ball Bearing Fan)
5VSB Circuit	-
Standby PWM Controller	Power Integrations TNY177PN

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This is CWT's GPU platform, which might be aged but still remains competitive. Typically, for a CWT design, the heat sinks are small, especially on the secondary side. The build quality is high and the PCB is not densely populated, which improves airflow.

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The transient and EMI filter has all the necessary parts and it also includes a discharge IC to restrict energy losses.

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The pair of bridge rectifiers can handle up to 20A of current.

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The APFC converter uses two Infineon FETs and a single boost diode provided by STMicroelectronics. The bulk cap is of high quality, but it doesn't have the necessary capacity to offer a longer than 17ms hold-up time. Lastly, the APFC controller is a Champion CM6502UHH. The latter is supported by a CM03X IC.

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