Seasonic Platinum Series 860W - Platinum without the Fuss
by Martin Kaffei on February 24, 2012 12:00 AM ESTDelivery Contents, Power Rating, and Fan
The contents of the Platinum 860W package are not as extensive as those of the MaxRevo series from Enermax. However, you still get two different types of cable ties, a user guide, a bag with the modular connectors, screws for installing the PC power supply in the case, a small screwdriver, and a Seasonic sticker. The ATX power supply itself is well protected from dust and dirt with a cloth bag.
One interesting feature is that Seasonic uses a high quality fan from Sanyo Denki, with a twist. As we will see when we take a closer look to the case, there's a small switch next to the modular sockets. This switch allows users to choose between active mode (the fan will always spin, even if slowly) or semi-passive operation. If the latter is selected, the fan won't rotate at loads below 40%. The idea is similar to what Seasonic offered with their X-Series, but now users have the ability to choose non-passive operation if they prefer a small amount of airflow. Seasonic also provides a 7-year warranty, though of course that doesn't say anything about the actual quality of service or support.
Similar to the X-Series the +3.3V and +5V outputs are rated at 25A each. Together these can deliver up to 125W (so it's not actually possible to draw the maximum current from both simultaneously). Meanwhile the more important +12V output is very powerful and can reach up to 852W output, though in practice the +3.3V and +5V will use some of the available power. +5VSB is rated at 3A. The first parts of the serial number tell us that this power supply was produced in December 2011.
Seasonic installed a 9S1212F04 fan from Sanyo Denki, which we've seen in many other expensive power supplies. This fan uses very good ball bearings and has seven fan blades. Seasonic covers part of the fan by a plastic foil in order to better direct airflow and reduce turbulence. In contrast to the earlier design of the X-Series, the fan speed cannot be adjusted by the duty cycle (PWM). Antec has a patent in this area and Seasonic acquired a restricted license only; thus, the fan speed regulation uses different voltages to control RPMs. With 0.19A the fan has a moderate maximum current use.
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Death666Angel - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
I read that OCP isn't that necessary in a single rail 12V design with the 12V offering nearly the whole capacity. General overpower protection is enough there. Is that not true?Martin Kaffei - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Hi,if there is an overcurrent on one ouput only, the total power might be below the level for OPP.
Death666Angel - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
So, you are saying 3V and 5V could draw overcurrents then? :P That would be a special situation in this day and age.Martin Kaffei - Saturday, February 25, 2012 - link
That won't be simple. The ouput cables are parallel-connected to 12V which means the current usually gets shared. But it might happen that a high current will flow through a single cable when resistance is low enough. E.g. an unwanted bridge between two pins.This is no short circuit since there are enough resistors (or components with resistance) between the voltage source (secondary winding) and the output. SCP doesn't work.
This is no over power since resistance is low enough that you don't need much work (voltage) to transport load carrier. Voltage will be much lower. Power is the product of voltage and current which means the total power might be below the settings for OPP, even if current is high. OPP doesn't elese.
versesuvius - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
What is the guaranty on this power supply? 5 years? 7 years? Or just 2 years?InsaneScientist - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Pg 2. - Last sentence of the second paragraph:"Seasonic also provides a 7-year warranty..." ;)
versesuvius - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Yes, I missed that. Actually the Seasonic site is equally skimpy on this little detail as well.It would be a really good idea if Anandtech provided a spec sheet of sorts for the reviewed products so that they could be glanced for basic info. This particular review saves a lot more than that, which in the case of a "Best PSU Ever" and a Gold award, it is certainly lacking.
I searched for "guaranty" on all pages before posting. I should have searched for "warranty". Being an Iranian I always thought that they are the same, but it looks like they are the same at the same time that they are not (i.e. You take the manufacturer to court for "guaranty", and reseller or distributor for "warranty"):
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_b...
Anyway, here is a 100 months on the spot replacement guaranty:
http://www.green-case.com/products/power/power.php...
The page says that the power is certified Platinum by EPRI-EPA, but it is sold under 80-Plus Gold. (Maybe Platinum for 230v and Gold for 110v. :) )
ProtonGuy - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Guarantee is the more common spelling in this day and age by the way.AnnihilatorX - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Seasonic always makes extremely good PSU and they haven't disappoint this time eitherI own an X-560. Before I bought Seasonic I was with Enemax.
someone need to convince me really hard not to buy from Seasonic again
entity279 - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Own one for 1 about month and a half. It was a (pricey) no brainer since I wanted spare power (my current sistem uses less than 400W in full load but it will be upgraded from time to time), efficiency & absolute silence. The Super Flower based alternatives were nowhere to be found in my country (Romania).So far works perfectly.