Introduction

Everyone is jumping onto the ATX v3.0 and PCIe 5.0 bandwagon, including Thermaltake, which recently released the Toughpower GF3 line with six members, all compatible with the aforementioned standards. I will look at the lowest capacity GF3 model, with 750 W max power output. According to the ATX spec, this unit should be equipped with a 300 W 12VHPWR connector, but Thermaltake threw a 600 W cable in the bundle. I know it is complex to have three different 12VHPWR connectors/cables, with 300 W, 450 W, and 600 W power ratings, but it is not ideal to offer a 600 W cable on a 750 W power supply. This is why I will check that over power protection is set correctly to avoid over stress, which usually leads to explosive situations.

The GF3 750 W uses a fully modular cable design, and thanks to the standard dimensions of its case, CWT, the OEM behind this unit, installed a large enough fluid dynamic bearing fan. Compact footprint PSUs are easier to install, especially in small chassis. Still, their PCBs are usually overpopulated, and there is no room for large enough fans, so smaller ones are used, which are typically noisier. This is one of the reasons that I'm not too fond of super-downsized PSUs. Back to the GF3 750, its proven CWT platform allows for an extended warranty that reaches ten years. Moreover, to be as quiet as it gets at light loads, there is a semi-passive mode available, which can be deactivated should the user want the fan to dissipate the PSU's thermal load constantly.

Specifications