The SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 SFX Power Supply Review: Seasonic Starts off SFX With a Stunner
by E. Fylladitakis on March 7, 2019 8:30 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
- Seasonic
- PSUs
- SFX
- Focus Gold SGX
Hot Test Results
Even though they complied with the design power quality guidelines, earlier SFX PSU designs often displayed poor power quality figures. However, more recent models, like the powerful SilverStone SX700-LPT and Corsair’s SF450, were greatly improved. The SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 also delivers excellent power quality figures, comparable to those of the better ATX PSUs available.
Overall, filtering is very good on all lines. Our instruments recorded a maximum voltage ripple on the 12V line of only 26 mV under maximum load, with equally low voltage ripple figures on the secondary 3.3V and 5V lines. Voltage regulation is equally impressive, with the 12V maintaining a regulation of 1.0% within the nominal load range and even tighter regulation on the secondary lines.
| Main Output | ||||||||
| Load (Watts) | 131,66 W | 328,95 W | 489,82 W | 651,52 W | ||||
| Load (Percent) | 20,26% | 50,61% | 75,36% | 100,23% | ||||
| Amperes | Volts | Amperes | Volts | Amperes | Volts | Amperes | Volts | |
| 3.3 V | 1,78 | 3,38 | 4,45 | 3,38 | 6,67 | 3,35 | 8,89 | 3,34 |
| 5 V | 1,78 | 5,06 | 4,45 | 5,04 | 6,67 | 5,03 | 8,89 | 5,02 |
| 12 V | 9,6 | 12,15 | 24,01 | 12,14 | 36,01 | 12,05 | 48,02 | 12,02 |
| Line | Regulation (20% to 100% load) |
Voltage Ripple (mV) | |||||
| 20% Load | 50% Load | 75% Load | 100% Load | CL1 12V |
CL2 3.3V + 5V |
||
| 3.3V | 0,9% | 8 | 8 | 12 | 12 | 8 | 16 |
| 5V | 0,8% | 10 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 8 | 20 |
| 12V | 1,1% | 12 | 16 | 20 | 26 | 30 | 26 |
Looking at our hotbox test results, although the energy conversion efficiency of the SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 does not drop significantly at first when it's inside the hotbox, there is a significant degradation once the load passes 550 Watts. This suggests that the PSU is finally getting thermally stressed at this point. The average efficiency reduction is 1.1%, with a drop of over 2.5% at 100% load, indicating significant thermal stress.
Meanwhile when it comes to cooling, when placed in our hotbox the fan in the SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 started almost immediately after the PSU was powered-on. Noise levels were initially low but the dB(A) figures start climbing quickly when the load passed 300 Watts, with the PSU relying on the thin 120 mm fan for reliable operation. The fan reached its maximum speed with a 585 Watt load, struggling to maintain operational temperatures inside the PSU. Overall the fan does manage to keep the SeaSonic Focus Gold SGX-650 operational under these harsh operating conditions, if only barely.
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u.of.ipod - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
This review needs to be updated to state this unit is SFX-L, not SFX. This unit will not fit in a lot of small form factor (SFF) cases that only accept SFX sized PSU, not the extra long SFX-L.johnnycanadian - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
I don't think this one is SFX-L: this one is 100mm deep whereas SFX-L PSUs are 130mm deep. This one seems to be SFX through-and-through.NateDawg72 - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
It is definitely not 100mm, as stated at the top of the second page of the review and in Seasonic's specifications. It is 125mm deephttps://seasonic.com/focus-sgx#specification
johnnycanadian - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
My apologies! Yup, I see the extra 25mm in the specs; I misread the original. Bloody hell, this would have been a decent choice to drop into my 2400G-in-an-Apple-][-case project. Thanks for the keen eye!Spoelie - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
Use the corsair SF450 or 650 instead in that caseSamus - Monday, March 11, 2019 - link
I guess the real catch is this effectively becomes SFX-L after connecting the cables because the connectors and wires add about 20mm to the length, where a non modular design could have the wires sandwiched between an interfering component.dromoxen - Thursday, March 21, 2019 - link
Yep thats wht I was thinking , if you include the bulky connectors , thats maybe why modular FSX PSU should have some sort of flat connectors or have them indented (somehow).Johhny Canadian ..650w , even 450w is too much for a 2400G , You'd get away with 250w or even HDPLEX 160w, surely..and unless you plan to light it up like leicester Square.?
dromoxen - Thursday, March 21, 2019 - link
And that lowered rating vs the op, temp is a bit sneaky ...nevcairiel - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
The first paragraph on the second page specifically calls out that its longer then normal SFX and therefor may not fit in some cases, FWIW.Death666Angel - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Yeah, but there is a name for them and that is SFX-L as u.of.ipod stated. Makes it much less ambiguous.