Epilogue
The Thermaltake Toughpower PF3 850W achieves high performance, taking second place at 115V and third at 230V. Compared to the GF A3 850W, the similar capacity PF3 unit is notably ahead, justifying its higher price tag to a degree. The GF A3 850 costs 2/3 of what the PF3 will set you back, and its average noise output is only about 1 dBA higher. Given that the same warranty, 10 years, covers both models, the GF A3 model looks more appealing.
Besides the high price, other notable issues I spotted are the low PF values at 115V and 230V, the high inrush currents, and the pair of EPS connectors installed on the same cable. It is strange to see a high-end unit having a pigtail EPS cable and, to make things even worse, with 18AWG gauges up to the first connector. EPS connectors can deliver more power than PCIe since they have an extra power pin, so it is unsafe to have both installed on the same cable and get power from a single PSU socket. Lastly, I cannot say I am excited about the fan’s quality, which doesn’t match the overall PSU’s build quality. HKC should use a higher-grade fan, and I am unsure if the current fan can outlive the long warranty.
The Thermaltake Toughpower PF3 850W is a high-performance and highly efficient power supply, offering good transient response, and thanks to its 450W 12+4 pin PCIe connector, it supports most high-end graphics cards. The asking price is high, so if you want to save money and are okay with 5-6% lower overall performance, the GF A3 850W looks way more appealing. Moreover, the latter achieves lower 12V voltage drops at ATX v3.0 transient response scenarios!
To check all alternative PSU offerings, read my Best ATX v3.0 PSUs article before investing in a new power supply. 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 47°C
- High overall performance
- High average efficiency (Cybenetics Platinum)
- ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 ready
- Good transient response on all rails
- Below 30 dBA average noise output
- Proper 12V OCP and OPP triggering points (hot and cold conditions)
- Within 1% load regulation on the minor rails
- Good ripple suppression
- Efficient 5VSB rail
- Low vampire power at 115V
- Good soldering quality
- Long hold-up time
- Alternative Low Power Mode (ALPM) compatible
- Fully modular
- 12+4 pin PCIe connector (450W)
- Compact dimensions (140mm depth)
- Ideal distance between the peripheral connectors (145/150mm)
- Ten-year warranty
- Way more expensive than the Toughpower GF A3 850
- OCP triggering points are set high on the minor rails
- High inrush currents
- Low PF readings
- Two EPS connectors on the same cable
- Increased vampire power at 230V
- Not sure about the fan’s quality
Hello, I am now faced with choosing a power supply. I’ve been looking at your tests for a long time because I’m interested in it, but I want to choose a certain unit for my computer. Previously, I had a Bitfenix Whisper M 750W, but unfortunately its fan failed and I had to send the power supply back under warranty and received a refund.
I’m aiming for 750w/850w,
I care about low ripple, Japanese capacitors, quiet fan operation and two wires on a single pcie cable to the GPU (I have rtx 2070).
I don’t know whether to go with old units or ATX 3.0.
My unit under full load (prime95 + furmark) consumes 400W from the socket.
I have a maximum of EUR 140 to spend, I live in the EU.
Can you recommend something to me?
I would say go for an ATX v3.x unit to be future proof. Take a look at my best ATX v3.x PSUs in the 750W category, which ones fells into your budget.
Thanks for the answer. You’re doing an amazing job. I think I’ll go with the RM750x/850x shift.
Will there be a review of XPG Core Reactor II? I see it in the table, but there is no separate article.
I’m still considering Deepcool PX850G and XPG Core Reactor II 850W. They are available in my country at an affordable price. Which one will be the best idea?
How serious “problem” is the single cable for the 2 eps connectors? Do you think that the combination of a 7700x (or 7950x) and an asrock x670e steel legend would set this on fire? (No overcloking, only standard operation voltages. If it is an actual problem, then the next candidate is the rmx850 shift, are they equal? they seem so)
In a single 12V rail it actually is. When both connectors can deliver more than 450W and take from a single PSU socket, all hell can break lose if something goes wrong.
hm, I see
I’m wondering if this is the same unit as “PS-TPD-850FNFAPE-3”, as sold by Scan UK here: https://www.scan.co.uk/products/750w-thermaltake-toughpower-pf3-native-pcie-5-fully-modular-80plus-platinum-single-rail-708a-120mm-f
It’s only £130 in the UK at the moment and seems like a good deal. Thanks – Nick
Yes, it looks to be the same unit.