Chieftronic SteelPower 750 W Review

Name: Chieftronic SteelPower 750 W
Brand: Chieftronic
Price: 100 USD

crmaris

on Nov 23rd, 2021,

in Power Supplies.

Manufacturer: Chieftronic

(1 Comment) »

Introduction

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

In August, Chieftronic announced the release of their new SteelPower PSU series available in capacities of 550 W, 650 W, and 750 W. 140 mm deep, these are compact, and according to official specifications, cooling is handled by a 120 mm fluid dynamic bearing fan. My sample had a DBB fan, though. In this review, the strongest of these, the SteelPower 750 W, will get to enjoy my Chroma's electronic loads.

Besides compact dimensions and relatively high power density, the SteelPower 750 is fully modular and 80 PLUS Bronze rated, and it achieves Silver efficiency on the Cybenetics scale. It meets the Cybenetics Standard+ requirements for noise output, which places its noise output into the 35–40 dBA range. The high power density and platform efficiency don't leave much room for a more relaxed fan-speed profile. With a larger chassis able to accommodate a 140 mm fan, noise output could be lower.

Specifications

Chieftronic SteelPower 750W
Features & Specifications
Max. DC Output	750 W
PFC	Active PFC
Efficiency	80 PLUS Bronze, Cybenetics Silver (87–89%)
Noise	Cybenetics Standard+ (35–40 dBA)
Modular	Yes (fully)
Intel C6/C7 Power State Support	Yes
Operating Temperature	0–50 °C
Protections	Over Voltage Protection Under Voltage Protection Over Power Protection Over Temperature Protection Over Current Protection Short Circuit Protection
Cooling	120mm double ball bearing fan (HA1225H12B-Z)
Semi-Passive Operation	No
Dimensions (W x H x D)	150 x 85 x 140 mm
Weight	1.29 kg (2.84 lb.)
Compliance	ATX12V v2.52, EPS 2.92
Warranty	5 years
Price at Time of Review (excl. VAT)	€99.90

Chieftronic SteelPower 750W
Power Specifications
Rail	3.3 V	5 V	12 V	5 VSB	-12 V
Max. Power	20 A	20 A	62.5 A	2.5 A	0.3 A
Max. Power	120 W		750 W	12.5 W	3.6 W
Total Max. Power	750 W

Photos

The PSU comes in a pretty large box offering good protection.

Once opened, you will find the user's manual, a bag containing all the cables, and the PSU protected by a pair of foam spacers.

The fan's grille looks restrictive. It should have wider openings for more airflow.

The power specifications label has been put on the bottom of the PSU.

The modular panel has nine sockets.

The PSU has a compact footprint.

Some more photos of the PSU from various angles.

Cables and Connectors

Modular Cables
Description	Cable Count	Connector Count (Total)	Gauge	In-Cable Capacitors
ATX Connector 20+4 pin (650 mm)	1	1	18AWG	No
8 pin EPS12V (600 mm) / 4+4 pin EPS12V (+150 mm)	1	1 / 1	18AWG	No
6+2 pin PCIe (500 mm+150 mm)	2	4	18AWG	No
SATA (500 mm+150 mm+150 mm)	2	6	18AWG	No
4-pin Molex (500 mm+150 mm+150 mm) / FDD (+150 mm)	1	3 / 1	18–20AWG	No
AC Power Cord (1400 mm) - C13 coupler	1	1	18AWG	-

The ATX cable is long enough, but the first EPS connector should be 50 mm further down the cable. Having both EPS connectors on the same cable also isn't a sound idea, especially with 18AWG gauges; these connectors have the ability to draw many amperes, which could in turn damage the connector on the PSU, or the gauges. The number of PCIe connectors is satisfactory. There are not as many peripheral connectors as with other PSUs of similar capacity, and I would like a 4-pin Molex one take the place of the FDD connector.

Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest looking at this article, which will help you better understand the insides of a PSU.

Chieftronic SteelPower 750W Parts Description
General Data
Manufacturer (OEM)	CWT
Platform	GPQ
PCB Type	Single-Sided
Primary Side
Transient Filter	4x Y caps, 2x X caps, 2x CM chokes, 1x MOV, 1x Power Integrations CAP200DG (Discharge IC)
Bridge Rectifier(s)	1x GBU1506 (800 V, 15 A @ 125 °C)
Inrush Current Protection	NTC Thermistor (SCK-2R58) (2.5 ohm)
APFC MOSFETs	2x Great Power GP28S50 (500 V, 28 A, Rds (on): 0.125 ohm)
APFC Boost Diode	1x On Semiconductor FFSP0665A (650 V, 6 A @ 153 °C)
Bulk Cap(s)	1x Nichicon (400 V, 390 uF, 2,000 h @ 105 °C, GG)
Main Switchers	2x Perfect Intelligent Power Semiconductor PTA20N50A (500 V, 10 A @ 125 °C, Rds (on): 0.3 ohm)
APFC Controller	Champion CM6500UNX & Champion CM03X
Switching Controller	Champion CM6901X
Topology	Primary Side: APFC, half-bridge & LLC converter Secondary Side: synchronous rectification & DC-DC converters
Secondary Side
+12 V MOSFETs	4x Advanced Power AP4N2R6RH (40 V, 75 A, Rds (on): 2.6 mOhm)
+5 V & +3.3 V	DC-DC Converters: 4x SyncPower SPN3006 (30 V, 57 A @ 100 °C, Rds (on): 5.5 mOhm) PWM Controllers: ANPEC APW7159C
Filtering Capacitors	Electrolytic: 9x Chengx (2–4,000 h @ 105 °C, GR), 1x Chengx (105 °C, AL) Polymer: 15x APAQ, 8x Elite
Supervisor IC	Sitronix ST9S313-DAG (OVP, UVP, SCP, PG)
Fan Model	Hong Hua HA1225H12B-Z (120 mm, 12 V, 0.58 A, double ball bearing fan)
5VSB Circuit
Standby PWM Controller	Power Integrations TNY287PG

This is a new budget platform by CWT, called GPQ. A quick look at the business side of the single-sided PCB shows that this is a low-cost design. Soldering quality is nice, though, and CWT used good parts for the important areas. The only letdown is the quality of the electrolytic caps on the secondary side, but finding caps from known manufacturers is tough these days.

The transient/EMI filter stages have all the necessary parts, and suppress EMI emissions well enough.

A Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV) handles voltage surges, while an NTC thermistor suppresses large inrush currents. A bypass relay does not support the latter.

The bridge rectifier is bolted to a heatsink. It can handle up to 15 A.

The APFC converter uses two Great Power GP28S50 FETs and a single On Semiconductor boost diode. The bulk cap is by Nichicon, and its capacity is low. The APFC controller is a Champion CM6500UNX, supported by a CM03X IC.

The main switching FETs, two PTA20N50A units, are installed in a half-bridge topology. An LLC resonant converter is also used to boost efficiency.

The unit's main transformer isolates the primary from the secondary side and lowers the voltage.

Four Advanced Power AP4N2R6RH FETs regulate the +12 V rail.

Two DC-DC converters generate the minor rails. They use four SyncPower SPN3006 FETs, and their joint PWM controller is an Anpec APW7159C.

The electrolytic caps are by Chengx, and the polymer ones are by APAQ and Elite. Chengx electrolytic caps are not super-reliable, but there is a significant shortage of parts, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to find quality caps at normal prices.