Introduction

We would like to thank Chieftronic for supplying the review sample.


Chieftronic is Chieftec's gaming sub-brand. Currently, its portfolio only lists two cases and two PSU lines. Their flagship PSU product is the PowerPlay 1050 W (GPU-1050FC). Not only is its capacity high, but it also features 80 PLUS Platinum and Cybenetics ETA-A and LAMBDA-Standard+ certifications. For its high capacity, overall noise output (35 dBA) is quite low. For the moment, this product is only available in the EU.

The GPU-1050FC uses a high-end platform from CWT (Channel Well Technology), which I have also seen in the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand RGB 1050 W and Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1200 W. This is a semi-digital platform where two MCUs control the entire primary side and part of the secondary side. The DC-DC converters that generate the minor rails use an analog PWM controller.

Specifications

Photos

Protection inside the box is adequate since foam spacers cover the front and rear sides of the PSU. Typically, the first thing that greets you once you open the box is the user's manual.


At the front are the power switch and one for toggling on or off the semi-passive operation.


The specifications label is at the bottom. A small sticker around the back describes all modular sockets. You can connect the PCIe and EPS cables to every compatible socket since all are electrically compatible.


The fan grill looks like a spider's web, and I hate spiders!

Cables and Connectors

The cables are quite long. Still, more headroom up to the first EPS connector would have been nice. It is also a huge mistake to install both EPS connectors on the same cable, even with 16AWG gauges up to the first connector. The load an EPS connector can deliver is huge, so with both of these connectors on the same cable, the corresponding socket on the modular panel can easily melt, especially since this is a single +12 V rail PSU with the ability to deliver up to 52 A on the rail.


Six PCIe and two EPS connectors on dedicated cables would have been much better than the eight PCIe connectors and two EPS connectors on the same cable.

Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest a look at this article, which will help you understand a PSU's internals better.



This is a high-end CWT semi-digital platform several expensive Thermaltake Toughpower PSUs also utilize. Because of its compact dimensions, the PCB is loaded with components, which means airflow is not optimal as there isn't much clearance between components. Still, CWT used small heatsinks, especially on the secondary side. The build quality is good, all electrolytic caps belong to good lines.


The EMI/transient filter has all the necessary components, but the digital circuits emit lots of EMI, which the EMI filter cannot handle.


An MOV in the transient filter handles power surges, and an NTC thermistor and relay combo take care of the large inrush currents during the PSUs start-up phase.


Two bridge rectifiers are installed in parallel on a dedicated heatsink.


An interleaved APFC converter is used, with two PFC circuits operating in parallel with a phase difference between them. This minimizes input and output current ripple and lowers conduction losses, which increases efficiency and doubles the effective switching frequency.


The four main switching FETs are installed in a full bridge topology. Two driver ICs are installed on the digital PCB. They are used for controlling the aforementioned FETs.


This is where the magic happens. Two Texas Instruments UCD3138A MCUs on this PCB take care of the whole primary side and the most important part of the secondary side, which is the circuit that generates the +12 V rail.


An APL1117 voltage regulator with 1 A max output. It most likely provides the operating voltage to the two MCUs.


The board that hosts the +12 V FETs is right next to the main transformer, and two thick, ultra-short cables are used for its connection to minimize energy losses. The heatsinks on this board are small, but the corresponding FETs can operate at high temperatures without any problems.


The filtering caps are of high quality, but they are squeezed between the modular PCB and the +12 V board, so the fan will have to spin at high speeds with high loads in order to keep their temperature low enough.


Both VRMs that handle the minor rails are installed on this board.


The 5VSB transformer and, right next to it, a vertical board that hosts the other parts of this circuit.


Lots of polymer caps have been installed on the modular board.


Soldering quality is pretty good, which is usually the case with high-end CWT implementations.


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