Seasonic FOCUS GX ATX 3.0 850 W

[suvirintojas]

Today we examine Seasonic's mid-range FOCUS GX series with ATX 3.0 support and 80 Plus Gold efficiency levels. Thanks to support for the 16-pin connector and three 8-pins, you'll be able to power any modern GPU with it. Peace of mind comes from Seasonic's 10-year warranty.

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[Chrispy_]

I haven't even had time to read the review yet, but just wanted to say welcome to TPU! I'm glad W1zzard found someone to review PSUs since decent PSU reviews are an endangered species these days

 

[HairyLobsters]

Why would you want plastic guarding cooling of components?

 

[umeng2002]

Why would you want plastic guarding cooling of components?

To guide the air out.

 

[Frick]

I haven't even had time to read the review yet, but just wanted to say welcome to TPU! I'm glad W1zzard found someone to review PSUs since decent PSU reviews are an endangered species these days

suvirintojas is the old reviewer.

 

[Chrispy_]

suvirintojas is the old reviewer.

Ah balls. I guess W1zzard is still hunting...

Still, it's good that suvrintojas is still putting out more reviews in the interim, the ad for a new reviewer implied that suvirintojas was no longer available to review because of some necessary life changes. I guess I read too much into that!

 

[Shrek]

View attachment 374662
Why would you want plastic guarding cooling of components?

So the air does not just take the shortest route to the exit, but rather across the components.

As jonneyGURU points out, it might have been better to stick with 80mm

Thing is, those push pull 80s don't have to be loud and will cool much better. But customer perception is so distorted now.....

 

[Chrispy_]

As jonneyGURU points out, it might have been better to stick with 80mm

The biggest problem with 80mm push pull is that you can't have that and a modular backplane at the same time. The semi-obstructed 120/140mm fan is the least bad option for modular PSUs.

80mm push-pullI would work for Corsair's Shift series with the modular backplane moved out of the way, but they're relatively rare and have pretty low compatibility with most cases.

 

[Shrek]

Then I would just run a single 80mm

 

[jallenlabs]

Seasonic is the only PSU company I use anymore.

 

[FranciscoCL]

Page 2: "With one 12VHPWR cable ..."

This PSU includes a 12V-2x6 cable, which is an updated version, with small modifications to make it safer.

 

[Shrek]

Fan life expectancy

• 50,000 hrs

that's less than 6 years

 

[dirtyferret]

Fan life expectancy

• 50,000 hrs

that's less than 6 years

they use that fan in all over (as do others like CWT) including their prime series with 12 year warranties, plus the PSU is semi fanless to 30%

 

[Shrek]

Also skeptical of semi fanless, I'd much prefer a quiet fan at low loads.

Whereas, Zero RPM fan mode will wait until there is so much heat to dissipate, the fan kicks on at 400W and the air coming out of the back can be used to melt heatshrink tubing.

 

[umeng2002]

Also skeptical of semi fanless, I'd much prefer a quiet fan at low loads.

Push the little button on the back.

 

[KrazyT]

they use that fan in all over (as do others like CWT) including their prime series with 12 year warranties, plus the PSU is semi fanless to 30%

I wonder if these fans can be easilly replaced when fails ?

 

[Readlight]

Cooler master Taiwan, beQuiet EU also good.
Does these big inductors make surges in contact source, junction point? And damages radio waves?

 

[dirtyferret]

Also skeptical of semi fanless, I'd much prefer a quiet fan at low loads.

I turn fanless off on my focus plus unit for that same reason JG stated. Where did you get Hong Hua MTBF? I've never seen them advertise it before even on Ali. Seasonic has the unit at almost 11 1/2 years continuous @ 25c. One a different note; very good unit but over priced. The new interior seems more cost cutting than function.

I wonder if these fans can be easilly replaced when fails ?

Easy to replace? Sure. Can PSU caps hold onto charges that can injury you if you play around with them? Also sure.

 

[Shrek]

Where did you get Hong Hua MTBF?

From the review
Seasonic FOCUS GX ATX 3.0 850 W Review | TechPowerUp

 

[dirtyferret]

From the review
Seasonic FOCUS GX ATX 3.0 850 W Review | TechPowerUp

I assume they don't think it will be operating at 40c that much.

 

[Cadasiso]

A few things to say
What about the ATX 3.0 power excursion testing?
Thank you so much for using some reason and testing it under 40C
I'd strongly suggest testing in 110/115/120V (any of these) conditions too, millions of people of all socioeconomic classes still are under this regime, it's also more stressful for the PSU

 

[Dr. Dro]

I'd strongly suggest testing in 110/115/120V (any of these) conditions too, millions of people of all socioeconomic classes still are under this regime, it's also more stressful for the PSU

This isn't even a matter of socioeconomic conditions, it's just how the global power distribution works, and largely inherited from the grid's earlier development stages and power generation challenges. I've brought this up before, and I hope it's accounted for by the new PSU reviewer that W1zz ends up hiring.

230 V-only reviews are pretty much worthless to anyone who lives in an area with a 120 V or similar residential grid. Mains voltage affects a power supply's conversion efficiency and effective capacity. This conversion efficiency rate can swing as much as 10% depending on the topology, components and project of the power supply unit. Furthermore, high capacity units are often derated when operating in low voltage mains, something that is not always clearly communicated by manufacturers and reviewers alike.

It's a particularly egregious problem in Japan, theirs is a special case since their grid runs at the lowest voltage in the world - only 100 V, further split into 50 and 60 Hz regions (if I recall correctly East Japan operates in 50 Hz, while West Japan operates in 60 Hz), it's another dynamic altogether. The derate issue I mentioned earlier, let's take as an example the 1600 W Corsair AX1600i, arguably the most technologically advanced and efficient power supply in the market today - it will output only 1300 W (possibly less, 1300 W is its official derate) when operating plugged into a Japanese 100 V outlet.

Some older Japanese electronics require a step down transformer to run at the intended 100 V input even if you have 120 V mains, at 127 V here i'm already 27% above the expected input for those devices and it really makes them malfunction over time. Meanwhile, EU power is 230 V/50 Hz, largely incompatible with the rest of the world, unless your region uses European power standards.

Very useful article:

Mains electricity by country - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Shrek]

The EVGA 500W1 would blow up at full load on 110V

• EVGA 500W Review - Another One (PSU) Bites the Dust

because the bridge rectifier was only rated for 3A without a heatsink.


I believe the Thermaltake 430W also has a bridge rectifier without heatsink

• Taking Risks on a Cheap PSU: $30 Thermaltake 430W SMART Power Supply Review

and even Gamers Nexus thought it was rated for 8A without accounting for the derating without heatsink.


So I really think the next TechPowerUp power supply reviewer needs to be more than a 'PC enthusiast'

 

[Solid State Soul ( SSS )]

Hello, there is a ATX 3.1 revision of the SuperFlower Leadex 3 platform that is being sold at a very competitive price competing with the Corsair RMe, it also comes with FDB fan, a review of that unit would be interesting

 

[forman313]

Also skeptical of semi fanless, I'd much prefer a quiet fan at low loads.

If done right, it reduces the mechanical stress caused by thermal expansion cycles. Stopping the fan at low loads helps maintaining a steady temperature. Not as important as with HDD or PCB´s packed with large BGA´s, MLCC and whatnot, but the silence, reduced accumulation of dust and potentially doubling the life expectancy of the fan is a worthwhile benefit.


Seasonic knows what they´re doing. If this was a budget model from a mid tier brand, however, I would share your skepticism.