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.



There are no significant differences between the plain Super Flower Leadex III and Leadex III ARGB platforms, besides an ARGB fan and the single semi-passive mode—as there are two in the former. On the primary side is a half-bridge topology supported by an LLC resonant converter for higher efficiency. The secondary side utilizes a synchronous rectification scheme, and the minor rails are generated through two VRMs. Soldering quality is not the best I have seen from Super Flower, but rest assured that it won't create any problems, and it doesn't seem to affect performance.


The transient filter has all the necessary parts and does a good job of suppressing both incoming and outgoing EMI.


An MOV handles voltage surges, and an NTC thermistor-relay combo protects against large inrush currents.


The bridge rectifier which fully rectifies the incoming AC signal feeding the PSU's APFC converter.


The APFC converter uses two Infineon IPA50R199CP FETs and a STTH8R06D boost diode by STMicroelectronics. The bulk cap is by Chemi-Con and has enough capacity to provide a hold up time of over 17 ms. Programming of the LLC resonant converter also plays a major role in the hold up time.


An SPN5003 FET isolates the APFC converter while the PSU is in standby to lower vampire power. On the board that hosts this FET is the APFC controller consisting of an SF29603 IC supported by another IC with model number S9602. After all this time, I still don't have any detailed information on these ICs.


The main switching FETs are arranged in a half-bridge topology. Similar to the APFC converter, two Infineon IPA50R199CP are used in this stage.


These photos depict the resonant tank and resonant controller, an SF29605 IC. The latter controls the primary switching FETs and those generating the +12 V rail.


Four Infineon FETs handle the +12 V rail.


Two DC-DC converters are powered by the +12 V rail to generate the minor rails. In total, eight AON6516 FETs are used, along with a pair of NCP1587A PWM controllers.


Japanese manufacturers provide all the electrolytic filtering caps. Not all of these have a high lifetime, though. The heaviest burden falls to the Chemi-Con KZE caps, which are widely used in higher-end PSUs. Besides electrolytic caps, several polymers are also used. Most of these are installed on the modular PCB.


The Nichicon RZ caps, which have a lifetime of 1000 hours at 105 °C, are installed where they won't be highly stressed, forming a second ripple-filtering layer.


As I have already mentioned, soldering quality is not the best I have seen from Super Flower. In some areas on the secondary side, soldering look sloppy. That said, it won't create any issues.


My photographer likes to shoot optocouplers, so I have to deal with these photos in every review.


The 5VSB rectification circuit uses a PFC Device PFR20L60CT SBR on its secondary side. The standby PWM controller is an SF29604 IC.


The cooling fan measures 130 mm across and uses a fluid dynamic bearing.