Average Noise
Similar to the 850W model, the PSU’s average noise output is not that low for the category’s standards. The new PCB design doesn’t do much in this area.
Fan Noise & Speed Maps @ 28-32 °C – 115V
The semi-passive operation is between 50W and 67W on the minor rails, with the load on the 12V rail up to 150W. The programming of the MCU that controls the fan’s speed goes wild with the load pattern that I use in these tests. Normally, this shouldn’t be the case, but I am satisfied that I “caught” the worst-case scenario through these tests, and not the ideal one, because in real life, a PSU will be treated with a wide variety of load patterns, depending on each user’s system and utilization.
Moreover, users need to understand that most fan speed profiles also (indirectly) consider the load applied to the minor rails through the appropriate thermal sensors because the respective DC-DC converters lack the appropriate heatsinks, so they rely on active cooling to lower their operating temperatures. As their name implies, the DC-DC converters receive DC input, not AC, so the AC input voltage doesn’t affect their efficiency and thermal loads. This is why when you push them to the maximum, the fan’s speed will be regulated at the same levels whether you have 115V or 230V input, and this is why, in many modern PSUs, the 115V and 230V fan noise speed and fan speed maps are identical. There can be significant differences only when other parts of the PSU, except the DC-DC converters, get way hotter at 115V compared to 230V input. These parts are typically up to the APFC converter, where the input voltage is boosted at around 385VDC at the APFC converter’s output.
Fan Noise & Speed Maps @ 28-32 °C – 230V
The fan’s semi-passive mode lasts a bit longer at 230V.
Hello.
I see that inrush current is almost 200A at 230V… is that real? Would this much power trip circuit breakers in the house or damage anything?
Is this PSU safe to use? I have it but now im scared to turn it on…
it is real yes. It is for a very short period, so it doesn’t trip the breaker.
Thank you for your fast response.
Does this high inrush current do anything to the lifespan of the PSU or PC?
I usually power off the PSU at night and power on in the morning to avoid the bright LED lights in my room and now im worried.
I wish i read your review on this PSU before i bought it. Im very disappointed in Seasonic.
It is hard to drain the APFC bulk caps completely. We follow a special procedure to do so. But yeah, they could use a larger NTC thermistor to lower it because we also have Murphy’s laws.
Hi
Thanks for the valuable work, there was an older ATX 3.0 version:
https://seasonic.com/atx3-focus-gx/
From other reviews seems this V3 version is the most reliable one, dodn’t you review that by chance? Best.
I have the V3 in one of my systems, it’s a solid psu. Aris might not have reviewed it but Anandtech did
https://www.anandtech.com/show/21101/the-seasonic-focus-gx-850-atx-3-0-psu-review-cool-quiet-and-robust
Hi
What about SeaSonic Focus GX-750 ATX2 version?
Does it also have those issues mentioned in the cons section?
And those listed as cons can be damaging the other parts of the system?
Thanks
I don’t have a clue what they fixed and what not, sorry. Seasonic barely sends me any samples to review.
Thank you for the review. You have helped me find good series of Kolink PSUs which have been proving good for the price. Fractal seems to be a very good alternative to Corsair, for similar prices.
I have been keeping away from Seasonic units due to lack of protection features.
I had both S12-IIs and M12-IIs (two units each) that only had a simple form of SCP protection. If there is any resistance in the path (as in a broken MOSFET), it will keep draining until one of this happens:
– Something blows up due to melting/burning shorted component.
– The PSU shuts down due to undervoltage protections (which from reviews of this platform seem to be set way too low).
Despite this, Seasonic claims that all protections work despite multiple of evidence from reviews that this platform was broken.
This was 10y ago and it has cost me hardware that was plugged into the damaged parts (which I didn’t knew had failed). A shame because otherwise they are very reliable, mostly silent PSUs.
You especially cannot run Seasonic PSUs unattended, as many models have proven to be a fire hazard due to non-functioning ATX protections like described in this review. Stay away!
Forgot to add that I had a 3rd Seasonic made XFX Core PSU that had the same issues. So, that is quite the track record of not doing QC properly.
Any news about the 750w protection features?
I think you were right and a lot of people who read your review are wondering if the retail 750w model should be considered when making a purchase.
Thanks a lot for all the amazing work.
Still, no new fixed sample from Seasonic.
Would you consider testing the Super Flower Zillion FG ATX3.1/PCIe 5.0 power supplies? I’ve recently stumbled across them as they are currently on sale and was wondering if they were good.
I will review them in the future!
Aris you should review the SuperFlower Leadex III ATX3.0