X-bit labs

Ten Kilowatts of Power: 1000W+ PSU Roundup (page 7)

Category: Other

by Oleg Artamonov

[ 01/18/2008 | 09:40 AM ]

FSP Epsilon 1010 (1010W)

I introduced to you the new FSP Epsilon series that starts with an 800W model in an earlier review (the older series included models with a wattage of 600W and 700W). Alas, it didn’t impress me much, being noisy and providing unstable voltages. Let’s see if the senior model of the Epsilon series can change my opinion about it.

The main distinguishing feature of the FSP Epsilon series, externally at least, is the small dimensions of the housing which are exactly those of the standard ATX unit: 145 millimeters of length. It means this PSU can be fitted into a very cramped system case if you want to do that for some reason.

Unlike the two previous models, the Epsilon’s cables are not detachable, but FSP also offers the Everest series, which is based on the same platform but features detachable cables.

The internal design is the same as you can see in the latest products from FSP. It is very roomy inside: the developer avoided the need to use large heatsinks by installing a redundant amount of load-bearing semiconductor components (for example, there are parallel-connected pairs or quads of diode packs rather than single packs in the output rectifier). These are special features of FSP power supplies I have wrote about a number of times.

The PSU follows the already classic single-ended circuit design with one power transformer. It has active PFC but lacks dedicated voltage regulation.

Note that the heatsink with output diode packs (the rightmost in the photo above) is fastened to the back panel of the case. This panel gets very hot at work as a consequence, but you shouldn’t worry about that. It is only colder in other PSUs because has no thermal contact with the heatsinks.

The PSU has four “virtual” +12V output lines capable of providing a combined current of 75A (900W). The number 75 is given in small print on the label and the large text “985W” right below the 12V lines may be somewhat confusing. The label also shows which exactly line is connected to which cables. It is good when you suspect your system does not start up due to overload of a specific power rail. Unfortunately, many manufacturers forget to provide such a table not only on the label but even in the manual.

The output power of 1010W is given for an ambient air temperature of 25°C. For 40°C the PSU’s output power is not higher than 850W. According to ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide, the power supply must provide full output power at an ambient air temperature up to 50°C, which is true for the above-discussed Antec TruePower Quattro and Enermax Galaxy DXX. So, it is a question if the Epsilon 1010 should be viewed as a 1010W power supply at all. Perhaps its proper place is in the 850W category?

The PSU has the following cables and connectors:

• Mainboard cable with a 20+4-pin connector (55cm)
• CPU cable with a 4+4-pin connector (55cm)
• CPU cable with a 4-pin connector (55cm)
• Four graphics card cables with 6-pin connectors (55cm)
• One cable with three Molex connectors and one floppy drive plug (53+15+15+15cm)
• One cable with three Molex connectors (53+15+15cm)
• One cable with two SATA power connectors (56+15cm)
• Two cables with four SATA power connectors on each (45+15+15+15cm)

All of the cables are sleeved. Cables of different types differ in the color of the sleeves.