Cooler Master GX III 650W ATX v3.0 PSU Review

Part Analysis

General Data
Manufacturer (OEM) Lite-On
PCB Type Single-Sided
Primary Side
Transient Filter 2x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV
Inrush Protection NTC Thermistor SCK-056 5Ω @ 25°C & Relay
Bridge Rectifier(s)
2x  GBU808 (800V, 8A @ 100°C)
APFC MOSFETs
2x Infineon IPW60R120P7 (650V, 16A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.120Ohm)
APFC Boost Diode
1x NXPSC06650X (650V, 6A @ 175°C)
Bulk Cap(s)
1x TK (450V, 560 , 3000h @ 105°C, LGWA)
Main Switchers
2x Infineon IPW60R180P7 (650V, 11A @ 100°C, Rds(on): 0.180Ohm)
Topology
Primary side: APFC, Half-Bridge & LLC converter
Secondary side: Synchronous Rectification & DC-DC converters
Secondary Side
+12V MOSFETs 6x
5V & 3.3V DC-DC Converters:
2x Fairchild FDD8896 (30V, 94A @ 175°C, Rds(on): 1.4mOhm)
2x Fairchild FDD8880 (30V, 58A @ 175°C, Rds(on): 1.4mOhm)
PWM Controller(s): ANPEC APW7159C
Filtering Capacitors Electrolytic: 12x Jamicon TK series (2,000 @ 105°C, LWK),
Polymer: 19x
Supervisor IC Weltrend WT7527RA
Fan Model Yate Loon (D14SH-12) (140mm, 12V, 0.7A, Hydraulic Dynamic Bearing Fan)
5VSB Circuit
Rectifier
Standby PWM Controller Excelliance MOS EM85690

We find the same purple heatsinks in the higher capacity models but with much smaller dimensions since this unit’s thermal loads are lower. As expected, the platform’s design differs from the 1050W and 1250W models, using cables to connect the modular PCB to the main one instead of PCB traces, which wouldn’t affect airflow and would have lower resistance because of the shorter path. Using cables to connect parts within a power supply is not elegant. It reminds me of older platforms. Thankfully, the cables are on the side, only blocking airflow to four polymer caps, which have increased temperature tolerance.

The main transformer is small but can handle the required power without issues. On the primary side, besides the APFC converter, two FETs, arranged in a half-bridge topology, chop the incoming signal to feed the main transformer, which provides power to the secondary side. An LLC resonant converter is also used to minimize switching losses. Six FETs handle the 12V rail on the secondary side, and two DC-DC converters generate the minor rails.

As in the other Lite-on-made units I evaluated, the soldering quality is impeccable, and the FETs are high quality. Some may frown upon the view of the TK (Toshin Kogyo Co., Ltd) caps, which are Japanese on paper but are made in China, like most Japanese capacitors nowadays. I recently learned that TK caps are made by ChengX (Chengxing), which also makes caps for Panasonic, Teapo, and Rubycon. This capacitor maker belongs to the Chinese government, so I expect its manufacturing equipment to be advanced. Lastly, the filtering caps on the secondary side are by Jamicon, so they are of decent quality.

Like its 850W and 750W siblings and unlike the higher models of the family, the 650W model uses a low-end Yate Loon fan. CM should rethink this choice and immediately change to a Hong Hua fan.

Pages ( 3 of 11 ): « Previous12 3 4567891011Next »

Related Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *