Not many know that there are two versions of the Toughpower GF A3 models, one made in China, by HKC, and one made in Vietnam, by CE-Link. In this review I will look at the Vietnamese version, since I have already evaluated the Chinese one.
The Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W (HKC) is included in my best ATX v3.x & PCIe 5.x PSU picks article.
I have already evaluated the Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W a while ago. Still, it seems Thermaltake silently changed the OEM for this line to CE-Link (from HKC) to exploit the Vietnamese factory of this OEM, which leads to lower import fees in the US market. I cannot say that I particularly enjoy it when a brand changes OEMs without changing the product’s name or providing some information on the box to help buyers distinguish the different versions. Since we are talking about completely different platforms, users should know which version they will get before they commit to buying these products.
You can find the reviews of the GF A3 units made by HKC that I have evaluated so far below:
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 1200W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 1050W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 850W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W PSU Review
Compared to the Chinese GF A3, this one has a 12V-2×6 connector, so it is ATX v3.1 compliant, a lower Cybenetics noise rating at 115V (Cybenetics A vs. A-), a different fan, and a max operating temperature for continuous load at 50°C (vs. 45°C). The efficiency rating and the dimensions remain the same.
I would like to note here that the Chinese GF A3 units probably got a “silent” upgrade of the 12+4 socket to 12V-2×6, but I cannot confirm that since I don’t have any new review samples of them.
ATX v3.1 750W PSU Reviews:
- 1st Player NGDP 750W PSU Review
- ASUS TUF Gaming 750W Bronze PSU Review
- Cooler Master GX III 750W ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- DeepCool PN750D ATX v3.1 PSU Review
- Enermax Revolution D.F.12 750W PSU Review
- Sharkoon Rebel P20 750W ATX v3.1 PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower PF3 750W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 ARGB 750W PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower SFX 750W Gold PSU Review
- Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 750W ATX v3.0 PSU Review
- XPG Core Reactor II VE 650W PSU Review
- XPG KYBER 750W ATX v3.1 PSU Review
- XPG Core Reactor II VE 750W PSU Review
- FSP VITA GM 750W ATX v3.1 PSU Review
- Manufacturer (OEM): CE-Link
- Max Power: 750W
- Cybenetics Efficiency**: [115V] Cybenetics Platinum (89-91%), [230V] Cybenetics Platinum (91-93%)
- Noise**: [115V] Cybenetics A (20-25 dB[A]) [230V] Cybenetics A- (25-30 dB[A])
- Compliance: ATX v3.1, EPS 2.92
- Operating Temperature (Continuous Full Load): 0 – 50 °C
- Alternative Low Power Mode support: Yes
- Power 12V combined: 750W
- Number of 12V rails: 1
- Power 5V + 3.3v: 100W
- Power 5VSB: 15W
- Cooling: 120mm Fluid Dynamic Bearing Fan (TT-1225 GQR1225D12M)
- Semi-Passive Operation: ✓ (Selectable)
- Modular Design: Yes (Fully)
- High Power Connectors: 2x EPS (2x cables), 4x PCIe 6+2 pin (2x cables), 1x PCIe 12+4 pin (300W)
- Peripheral Connectors: 8x SATA (3x cables), 4x 4-pin Molex (2x cables)
- ATX Cable Length: 600mm
- EPS Cable Length: 650+150mm
- 12+4 pin PCIe Cable Length: 610mm
- 6+2 pin PCIe Cable Length: 500+150mm
- Distance between SATA / 4-pin Molex: 150mm
- In-cable capacitors: No
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 150 mm x 85 mm x 140mm
- Weight: 1.52 kg (3.35 lb)
- Warranty: 10-years
- MSRP (excluding VAT): $110
** This unit is not certified by Cybenetics. These ratings depict what it would achieve IF it was certified by this certification agency.
Power Specifications
Rail | 3.3V | 5V | 12V | 5VSB | -12V | |
Max. Power | Amps | 20 | 20 | 62.5 | 3 | 0.3 |
Watts | 100 | 750 | 15 | 3.6 | ||
Total Max. Power (W) | 750 |
—“… a brand changes OEMs without changing the product’s name or providing some information on the box to help buyers distinguish the different versions.”
Aris, is there at least some info on the outside of the unit when it’s not on the box?
If not, that’s pretty rude 😈
only the “Made in Vietnam” can help an educated user spot this unit from the HKC one.
thanks for the clarification 😉
Totally blasted the Thermaltake Toughpower GF A3 750W ATX v3.1, but that’s fair enough.
Failure to style by TT.