Introduction

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


FSP introduced a new high-end PSU a while ago, the Hydro PTM Pro with 1200 W maximum power output. There are two more members of the family with capacities of 1000 W and 850 W. According to FSP, this PSU uses a conformal coating that protects its internals from dust, stains, and humidity. All of these PSUs are also fully modular, and the side stickers are easily swapped out for others included in the bundle.

The semi-passive fan operation can be deactivated with a switch at the face of the PSU. FSP dubbed it the "Eco" switch since power consumption is lower with the fan deactivated. The truth of the matter is that the the overall efficiency gain is only noticeable at very low loads. The fan-stop feature can also decrease the lifespan of FDB fans as the friction in such fans is higher during start-up because the lubricant hasn't yet been pumped up the spiral groove and onto the whole bearing surface, which doesn't apply to double ball bearing fans. A PWM fan-control circuit would have been better as it makes for very low speeds which have the fan operate throughout at very low noise output.

A major upgrade with the Hydro PTM Pro 1200 W is its compliance with the IEC 62368 electrical safety standard.

Specifications

Photos

There are lots of badges on the face of the box. On the back, you will find a photo of the internals of the PSU.


Protection inside the box is adequate. The bundle includes replacement stickers and fixing bolts, along with some paperwork. There is also a pouch with all the modular cables.


The coating is of high quality and looks to be scratch resistant. It is also fingerprint proof. On the front, you will find the power and Eco switches.


The standard side stickers are rather plain. The power specifications sticker is on the bottom.


The fully modular panel includes thirteen sockets.


The punched out fan grille looks nice. Dimensions of the PSU are quite large as it is 190 mm deep. This is good for internal airflow, however.

Cables and Connectors

All cables are long enough, and another positive is that they do not have in-line capacitors. The ATX and one EPS connectors use thicker 16AWG gauges for lower voltage drops. Negative is that there is only one EPS cable with two connectors and the standard 18AWG gauges—two separate EPS cables with a connector each would have been better. Fully utilizing this cable could cause issues since either the gauges or the PSU's corresponding connector will melt. EPS connectors can deliver a lot of power, which makes putting two of these on the same cable a bad idea—this is a major design flaw.


It is nice to see all peripheral connectors considerably far apart.

Component Analysis

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



Build quality is high. FSP used good parts, including Infineon FETs and Hitachi, Chemi-Con, and Rubycon caps. The Protechnic Electric fan is another quality part that will play a significant role in extending the lifetime of the PSU.

On the primary side, FSP used a full-bridge topology and an LLC resonant converter. There is, of course, an APFC converter. A synchronous design is used, with a pair of DC-DC converters for the minor rails on the secondary side. For less energy losses, it is also good to see a FET instead of an SBR rectifying the 5VSB rail.


The transient filter has four Y and three X caps, two CM chokes, and an MOV. It is complete, offering adequate EMI filtering.


An MOV in the transient filter suppresses voltage surges. For high inrush currents, FSP used the usual method: an NTC thermistor supported by a bypass relay.


The two bridge rectifiers can handle up to 50 A of current.


The APFC converter uses three Infineon FETs and two boost diodes by the same manufacturer.


The PFC controller is an Infineon ICE2PCS02G IC.


Four FETs are installed in a full-bridge topology, and their controller is a Champion CM6901T2X IC. The IC drivers are by Silicon Labs.


The main transformer and resonant tank of the LLC resonant converter.


Eight FETs regulate the +12 V rail. It was impossible to identify these since all markings were erased.


Two VRMs generate the minor rails. They use six Infineon FETs and an Anpec PWM controller. There are two potentiometers on the 5VSB daughter board, which I thought best not to mess with.


All caps are by Japanese brands, and most of the electrolytic caps belong to good lines. Besides electrolytics, I also found a large number of polymer caps.


The board with the DC-DC converters also includes the supervisor IC, a SITI PS223H, which is among the few supporting OTP (over temperature protection) out of the box.


The 5VSB rectifier circuit uses an INN2603K PWM controller. On the secondary side of the same circuit, we find a FET instead of an SBR for higher efficiency levels.


Lots of polymer caps at the face of the modular board.


Soldering quality is good.


The high-quality fan uses a fluid dynamic bearing.