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Specifications:
The
Turbo-Cool series has a number of different models;
510 XE,
510 ASL,
850 SSI,
1KW, &
1KW-Quad. I'm reviewing the high-performance 1,000 watt
(1KW) model.
Obviously, the continuous wattage on this power supply is
more than enough for even the most power hungry computer
systems. Now how is this wattage determined? Well to
understand that, you need to know what rails are.
Rails are basically well regulated transformers which
convert domestic current into the voltages that your
computer system can use. There are essentially two different
rails: the 3.3/5v rail and the 12v rail. In this particular
case, the approximate maximum peak output of the 3.3/5v rail
is 200 watts and the 12v is 790 watts, which is essentially
how the wattage of this power supply is determined.
The 3.3/5v rail is responsible for the motherboard, memory, PCI cards, AGP card and so on. The 12v rail is
responsible for the HDD�s, DVD, CD-ROM, fans, etc.
Also, some might be interested to know the peak amps on each
rail. The +3.3V is 30A and the +5V is 30A. Unlike most power
supplies with only one +12V rail, this product has three.
The +12V1 is 16A (CPU1), +12V2 is 16A (CPU2), and the +12V3
is 36A (Graphics, Drives).
This power supply meets the SSI EPS
ATX 12V v2.1/2.2 specification. For additional
information on form factors please visit
Form
Factor website. This basically means that a power supply
must be able to sustain full load in 50�
C (122�
F) ambient conditions, although power output on all models
will decrease ~1�
C starting at an ambient temperature of 40�
C. Having the ATX 12V v2.01/2.02 specification is important
because some power supplies tend to overheat and shut down
the system under max load. Higher end power supplies float
in the ~85% range. This PSU is 83% efficient. Note that the
more efficient a power supply is, the less heat will be
generated, and therefore it won't require excessive cooling.
This power supply also has Active Power Factor Correction
(PFC). Active PFC is preferred over Passive PFC because it
provides a more efficient power frequency. This reduces
total harmonics, corrects input voltage, and it allows for a
full input voltage range. The disadvantage is that it
increases the cost of the power supply. This PSU has a
0.98 Active Power Factor value.
Additionally, this product is 100% Hi-pot, ATE (Automatic
Test Equipment)
& Burn-in function tested. What the heck does all that mean?
Production Hi-pot testing ensures insulation integrity. Finally, Burn-in is really a stress test and means it was
tested at full load and still meets specs.
In a recent press release, PC Power & Cooler announced
that they have the industry's first certification program. They are the
only company doing this. Each Turbo-Cool 1KW comes with its
own individual, comprehensive test report generated by their
Chroma 8000 ATE.
View an Actual Test Report! Here's a quote from this:
"In order to demonstrate the authenticity of its
power supplies, create a standard for quality that consumers
can trust, and combat undocumented and misleading
performance claims from other companies, PC Power & Cooling
has established the computer industry's first and only
certification program for production power supplies.
In order for an individual power supply to be
certified under the company's new program, the following
steps occur:
1. The power supply is connected to a $100,000 Chroma 8000
ATE (automatic test equipment) and the bar-coded serial
number is recorded.
2. The unit undergoes a comprehensive 16-point performance
test, including voltage setpoint, ripple, power factor,
efficiency, line and load regulation, protection circuit
eval, and peak power output.
3. At the conclusion of the test an annotated report is
printed, and if all parameters are within strict
specifications, the company's corporate seal is applied to
the report. The report is then packaged with the power
supply."
Currently each of the company's next-gen Turbo-Cool 1KW
power supplies are sold under the new certification program.
Inclusion in the program will be standard with each new
high-end power supply model introduced. Certified test
reports for earlier models, that normally undergo a 6-point
performance test without a printed report, will be available
as an option at a nominal charge."
A power supply also needs to be fail-safe. This unit has
individual Over Voltage Protection (OVP), Over Current Protection (OCP),
and Over Temperature
Protection (OTP).
Ever wonder who actually makes a particular PSU? Most
companies do not make their Power Supplies in-house. Rather,
they are made by an original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
which are probably unknown to most of us. This is not the case
with this PSU. So, how does one go about finding out who
actually made it? Well, that's very simple. Just get the
number which is below the UL logo. In this case it's E131500.
Now visit this
UL Database site and enter the number.
Here's any interesting fact. This PSU and it's big brother
the Trubo-Cool 1KW-Quad are both officially certified by
NVIDIA. They are the highest wattage power supplies on their
list. In fact, NVIDIA buys them for their own internal use.
Like the majority of new power supplies on the market,
this one also meets environmentally-friendlier power
standards. This means meeting EMC/EMI compliance with CE and
FCC and has safety approval by CE, CB, UL and TUV.
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