XFX 850w PSU anybody?

[Rich'[ard]]

http://overclock3d.net/reviews.php?/power_supply/xfx_black_edition_850w_atx_psu/2

its looks certainly stand out, but i'm not sure about the performance.
i don't know much about PSUs but the build quality of this PSU looks pretty good.
there's also a 135mm ADDA fan (painted in bright green) - 2200RPM / 95CFM at 39dbA.
fully modular - the sleeving job isnt' too bad either.

wonder if this PSU will pop up on jonny guru :)

[Daddyjaxx]

OW did a review on the modular version and sold one here:

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=618249

He mentioned it was a good PSU. I was needing on at the time and I gave it a look, but IMO it's butt ugly. Don't know if this version is on par with that one.

[J-O_S-H]

There is a review for this PSU on Jonnyguru:

http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=165

It's performance is awsome (rated 9.6 by JG) ... it is made by seasonic

Only problem is if you read the OC3D review properly it states that the PSU's safety feature failed to activate when they overloaded it... and it BLEW UP

However, all is not well. Part of OC3D's PSU testing procedure involves a "MAX Load" test in which the PSU is placed under a continually increasing load which takes it outside of its rated specification. This not only identifies the true capabilities of the PSU (for example if it is a 750w PSU overclocked to 850w, or a 1000w PSU underclocked to 850w) but also ensures that the OCP (Over Current Protection) is fully functional on the unit. Unfortunately this is where the XFX failed in a BIG way.

During this test the load was increased to 22A on both the +3.3v and +5v rails and 62A on the +12v rail. This combined with the small load on the +5vSB and -12v rail equated to around a 970w load on the PSU (120w above rated output). At first, everything appeared to be working fine. The ripple results were perfectly acceptable, the exhaust temperature was around 65°C and the voltages were all well within spec. Around a minute later the PSU powered off. Nothing unusual there, OCP had kicked in and saved the day. To find out whether the unit would be capable of sustaining a slightly lower load, the +12v rail load was reduced to 61A and the PSU powered back on. What happened next warranted a change of underwear...

An EXTREMELY loud BANG (heard even two floors down!) was emitted from the PSU accompanied by a bright flash. Yes, the XFX Black Edition had failed in a potentially dangerous way. Luckily none of the OC3D equipment was damaged by the elaborate death of the XFX PSU, but it is extremely worrying that the OCP protection on the PSU didn't kick in for a second time. Of course this could be put down to the unit being from a faulty batch, but as the unit tested in the video was the 2nd one to suffer this exact fate at the hands of our MAX LOAD tests, something does indeed seem wrong.

Not sure if the issues have been resolved but thats pretty bad... if you had a powersurge/ power cut this could happen and take out other components in your system too...

I don't think it's ugly at all... i like it and was actually going to buy it at one point.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

Not sure if the issues have been resolved but thats pretty bad...

Not really... you have to dramatically overload it and run it at 230V mains to run into the overpower protection issue. And keep in mind Hardware Secrets did the same kind of test with the unit surviving. It is likely this issue only affects a few units.

[J-O_S-H]

Not really... you have to dramatically overload it and run it at 230V mains to run into the overpower protection issue. And keep in mind Hardware Secrets did the same kind of test with the unit surviving. It is likely this issue only affects a few units.

That's good to know because it did really well performance wise and the way it looks will match my new watercooling colours... may get one after all

[RollingThunder]

That's good to know because it did really well performance wise and the way it looks will match my new watercooling colours... may get one after all

Josh,

No one here will run their daily computer "real world" like OW's tests. If he can't break it, we won't either. If he has any issues while pushing his tests to the limit and still likes it in his final rating, you'll like it too. :)

[gigabit]

Josh,

No one here will run their daily computer "real world" like OW's tests. If he can't break it, we won't either. If he has any issues while pushing his tests to the limit and still likes it in his final rating, you'll like it too. :)
Its a ashame you missed out OW just sold one in the classified's.I was tempted to by it..I have a thing for 850 watt psu's..lol.The HX850 in my sig is from OW's collection and so is the TX850 in my backup rig

[RollingThunder]

Its a ashame you missed out OW just sold one in the classified's.I was tempted to by it..I have a thing for 850 watt psu's..lol.The HX850 in my sig is from OW's collection and so is the TX850 in my backup rig

Yep, getting to the point soon where OW will just send it! :)

[gigabit]

lol yeah almost!!

[Rich'[ard]]

lol yeah this PSU is one of those where some will like the design, others will hate it.
i reckon it'd look sleeker with a black fan, but then it wouldn't followed the Green-black Black edition scheme.
it looks like a nice PSU no doubt. if only they made a smaller wattage version.
then i'd look into buying one :thup: