Epilogue
The new Seasonic Focus V4 line uses an interesting PCB design, allowing for lots of room between components, so airflow can be high without pushing the fan speed. Nevertheless, the PSU’s average noise output is not among the lowest in this Wattage category. The same goes for its average efficiency and overall performance. It seems that the new design didn’t help in improving the overall performance, with the previous GX-1000 model scoring a bit higher than the new model. The low starting voltage level of the 12V rail affecting its load regulation, the average power factor readings, the sky-high inrush currents, the increased vampire power at 230V, and the high voltage drops at 12V in the ATX v3.1 transient response tests are the main culprits behind the unit’s low overall performance. At least, ripple suppression is good.
Overall, I believe that Seasonic should push for higher performance, given the price tags of the new Focus V4 units, which are pretty high. The GX-1000 V4 has an MSRP of $190, while the NZXT C1000 and the Montech Titan Gold are listed for $150, offering higher overall performance. The NZXT C1000 is also less noisy, with an average noise output below 25 dBA. Moreover, I noticed a strange fan operation in the CL tests where I applied close to 1500 different load combinations, with the fan starting spinning from zero load with over 800 RPM and noise output exceeding 25 dBA. As I noted in our Discord channel, I can fully monitor and log the results of my tests and analyze the corresponding data. Still, I cannot know why a PSU’s fan speed profile behaves like that because I don’t have access to the code that drives its fan controller. I am the test engineer and not the guy who designed the hardware to know why it behaves like that. My job as a test engineer is to find the worst possible scenario and all the issues a user could face.
Before investing in a new power supply, read my Best ATX v3.x PSUs article to check all alternative PSU offerings. You help me a lot by using my affiliate links, which don’t increase the product’s price. I get a commission from Amazon every time you do it, which can make a difference for me, especially now that I am on my own, working exclusively for my media and not for someone else.
- Delivered full power at 46°C
- ATX v3.1 and PCIe 5.1 ready
- High build quality
- Cybenetics Gold efficiency
- Not noisy (Cybenetics A- Noise Rating)
- Good ripple suppression
- Tight load regulation at 5V
- Higher than 70% efficiency with a 2% load
- Alternative Low Power Mode (ALPM) compatible
- Good quality FDB fan
- Selectable semi-passive operation
- 3x PCIe on dedicated cables and 1x 12+4-pin PCIe connectors
- Adequate distance between the SATA connectors
- Increased MSRP
- Not competitive overall performance
- Mediocre transient response at 12V (ATX v3.1 transient loads) and 3.3V
- High inrush currents
- Not high Power Factor readings
- Loose load regulation at 12V (20W load starting point)
- Low 5VSB efficiency at 230V input
- The minor rail OCP triggering points need adjustments
- Increased vampire power consumption at 230V
- Lower than 150mm distance between the 4-pin Molex connectors
The downfall of seasonic must be studied.
Hi, Is there a chance for Phanteks AMP GH 1000W 80 Plus Platinum ATX 3.1 review ????
Unfortunately I don’t have any connection with Phanteks anymore.
Thank you for the great review! I’m personally waiting for the ATX3.1 compliant Vertex PX-1200. But a sales rep from Seasonic told me those are currently only available in Asians markets at the time. Do you maybe have an estimate when the ATX3.1 versions of the Vertex series become available in the EU?