A Look Inside & Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest a look at this article, which will help you understand the internal components of a PSU much better. Our main tool for the disassembly of the PSU is a Thermaltronics TMT-9000S soldering and rework station. It is of extreme quality and is equipped with a matching de-soldering gun. With such equipment in hand, breaking apart every PSU is like a walk in the park!




This platform was designed and manufactured by Enermax and is probably one of their last pure implementations, since rumor has it that they closed down their factory to now use the manufacturing facilities of another OEM (CWT), which is fine with us as long as their manufacturing quality is high and they can finally lower the price. Economical reasons were probably a decisive factor, but they are thankfully still in business, and we are happy for it since Enermax is a good OEM, and the more competition there is, the better it is for all of us end users. The ERX430AWT's Gold-rated platform doesn't exploit a cutting-edge design, and as you can see, its small PCB is densely populated. There are also no heatsinks in the secondary side they are no heatsinks, a current trend in Gold- and Platinum-certified unit we don't approve of much. We would definitely prefer there to be a normal heatsink in the secondary side since it would allow for a far more relaxed fan profile and, hence, less noise output.


Only a pair of Y caps adorn the AC receptacle. The rest of the transient filtering stage resides on the main PCB and includes two X caps, a pair of Y caps after the bridge rectifier, two CM chokes, and an MOV. There is also an NTC thermistor. It protects the unit against large inrush currents and comes with its corresponding electromagnetic relay.


While the 630 W unit used two bridge rectifiers, its 430 W counterpart only uses a single GBU806 capable of handling up to 8 A of current, which is enough.


The APFC converter uses two Infineon IPP50R380CE fets and a single CREE CAD060 boost diode. The bulk cap is by Panasonic (400V, 270uF, 85°C, UQ), and its capacity is too small for even a 430 W PSU. It is also only rated at 85°C. Manufacturers usually use caps with a higher temperature rating in the APFC.


A pair of Infineon IPP50R380CE fets are used as main switchers.


The combo PFC/PWM controller is a Champion CM6802 IC, an upgraded version of the famous CM6800 controller.


There are no heatsinks in the secondary side, and a large daughter-board hosts one of the +12V rectifying fets, along with both DC-DC converters. Two more fets are installed on the solder side of the main PCB, so a total of three fets (one BSC028N06NS and two BSC039N06NS) rectify the +12V rail, and each of the DC-DC converters utilizes a pair of M3006D fets. The common PWM controller for the latter is an Anpec APW7159.


The VRMs in the secondary side use Enesol polymer caps to filter the ripple, while the other rails on the main PCB are filtered by CapXon caps. The latter aren't among our favorites, but given the price, we can't be picky. If you want Japanese caps, you will have to look elsewhere and pay more.


The protections IC is soldered directly to the main PCB. It is a Weltrend WT7502V IC with only the very basic protections.


The small modular PCB features two Duratech polymer caps for some extra ripple filtering.


Soldering quality on the main PCB is good enough. We also spotted two more fets, aside from the two generating the +12V rail, an M3006D used by the 5VSB rail and an M03N65D, though what its purpose is I do not know.


The cooling fan is by Enermax, and its model number is ED142512M-0A (139mm, 12 V, 0.45 A). It uses twister bearings and does a good job without being too noisy.