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Today we look at the latest high end power supply from Seasonic – the Platinum 1050WXP3. This unit follows on from the success of the previous 1000W Platinum but brings some upgrades into the mix. The new unit has a pure copper bridge to improve high current conduction and a new IC added to the fan control based on hysteresis to reduce the number of times the fan turns on and off.
Special Features –
- 80PLUS® Platinum Certified Super High Efficiency
- 7 Years Warranty
- DC Connector Panel with Integrated VRM [Voltage Regulator Module]
- DC to DC Converter Design
- Active Power Factor Correction [99% PF Typical]
- Conductive Polymer Aluminum Solid Electrolytic Capacitors
- High Reliability 105℃ Japanese Grade A Capacitors
- High Current Gold Plated Terminals
- Tight Voltage Regulation [±2%]
- High +12V Output
- Dual Sided PCB Layout
- Seasonic Patented Hybrid Silent Fan Control
- Sanyo Denki San Ace Silent Fan
- Ultra Ventilation [Honeycomb Structure]
- Full Modular Cabling Design
- Multi-GPU Technologies Supported
- All-in-One DC Cabling Design
- Easy Swap Connector
- Universal AC Input [Full Range]
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 power supply ships in an attractive box coloured to match the Platinum certification.
Inside, is a familiar brown box which holds the power supply and accessories, such as the cables.
The package includes a modular cable pouch, a regional specific power cable, cable ties, mounting screws and literature on the product.
Interestingly we noticed no mention of this new 1050WXP3 unit in the user manual – just the older 1000W model. Perhaps our review sample was an early one from the factory, but we hope Seasonic update this for the retail channel.
We do love the double sided storage pouch that Seasonic supply with their high end power supplies. Any cables you don't need can be safely stored for future use.
The power supply itself is sandwiched between two thick pieces of foam and is wrapped within a soft felt bag.
The power supply is a fully (pure) modular design, so no cables are hardwired into the chassis.
| Cable | Connectors |
| MB 20+4 pin | x1 (590mm) |
| CPU 4+4 pin | x1 (650mm) |
| CPU 8 pin | x1 (650mm) |
| PCI E 8 pin (6 pin +2) | x8 (600mm) |
| SATA | x12 (530mm+150mm+150mm) |
| SATA | x2 (530mm+150mm) |
| MOLEX | x3 (550mm+150mm+150mm) |
| MOLEX | x2 (350mm+150mm) |
The cables are all high grade flat ribbon style to help with the routing phase of the system build. The main MB 20+4 cable is sleeved. There are a total of 14 SATA connectors, meaning this power supply is also ideal for a massive storage server system. Those running a high end SLi or Crossfire rig will be happy to note a total of eight 6+2 pin PCI e connectors.
This is a classy, understated unit. Simple black paintwork with Platinum/Silver coloured accenting. The name of the product is clearly marked on the side panels. For those interested, the appearance of the side panels have changed a little since we reviewed Seasonic’s 1000W Platinum power supply back in May 2012.
The finish of the power supply really deserves a mention. The thick paintwork passed our ‘screwdriver' test with flying colours. This involves running the head of a Philips head driver down the side of the chassis with light to medium force. After all, how many times have you accidentally connected with a power supply during a system build?
The fan is hidden behind a Platinum coloured grill with Seasonic branding evident along the bottom.
One end of the power supply is vented to help with air flow under load. There is a power connector and switch at the side.
The modular panel is cleanly presented and labelled to ease the installation phase. There is a sticker top right which details the hybrid/normal nature of the fan position.
We can see mention of the XP3 revision on the side of the power supply.
| Seasonic Platinum 1200W Power Supply | |||||
|
DC Output
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V |
-12V
|
+5Vsb
|
|
Max Output
|
25A
|
25A
|
87A |
0.5A
|
3A
|
| Total Power | 125W | 1044W | 6W | 15W | |
| 1050W | |||||
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP2 power supply can deliver 87A on the +12V rail. Plenty of power for even the most demanding Crossfire and SLi configurations. It is worth noting that this is increased from 83A on the older Platinum 1000W model we reviewed back in May 2012.
Seasonic are using a San Ace 120 (model 9s1212h403) fan. This is a Sanyo Denki unit which uses three balancing points instead of two. This helps to achieve perfect balance and rotation. This is the same fan that Seasonic use in their more powerful 1200W Platinum power supply.
The 1050WXP3 power supply has a new ‘Hysteresis’ feature. This optimises how frequently the fan switches off and on. At 25c ambient temperature the fan turns on when the load rises above 35% and it turns off when the load drops below 25%. Due to this lag in response the fan switches on and off less frequently which reduces power loss in Fanless and Silent Mode.
We have looked at the Seasonic XP3 design several times now, inside the Platinum 1200W unit and the Cooler Master V1200 Platinum supply. The soldering quality is excellent throughout.
Behind the AC receptable is a sealed PCB which is home to some of the components of the EMI filter – a single X cap, four Y caps and a CM choke. The other components of the filtering stage are on the main PCB, which include an MOV, two pairs of Y and X Caps and two more CM chokes.
The primary side is a full bridge design with an LLC converter for lossless switching. The secondary side uses a synchronous design with +12V fets on the main PCB. The DC-DC converters are installed on the modular PCB to help reduce power loss.
The main PCB and modular PCB incorporate high grade Japanese electrolytic and solid capacitors.
Seasonic are using three high grade Japanese capacitors on the primary stage (class leading ‘Nippon Chemi Con’). These are all 105c rated. All three are rated 330uF 420V. The Seasonic Platinum 1200W unit uses three more powerful 390uF rated capacitors in the primary stage.
On this page we present some high resolution images of the product taken in our professional studio. These will take much longer to open due to the dimensions, especially on slower connections. If you use these pictures on another site or publication, please credit Kitguru.net as the owner/source.
Additional technical assistance: Peter McFarland and Jeremy Price.
Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Due to public requests we have changed our temperature settings – previously we rated with ambient temperatures at 25C, we have increased ambient temperatures by 10c (to 35c) in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.
We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA
We test the Seasonic Platinum 1050W power supply with the fan in the ‘normal’ state.
|
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
|
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
|
100W
|
1.55
|
3.35
|
1.75
|
5.07
|
6.65
|
12.12
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.03
|
|
200W
|
3.13
|
3.34
|
3.50
|
5.07
|
13.50
|
12.12
|
1.00
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.03
|
| 400W |
6.40
|
3.34
|
7.05
|
5.07
|
27.50
|
12.12
|
1.50
|
5.00
|
0.30
|
-12.04
|
| 600W |
9.80
|
3.33
|
10.77
|
5.05
|
41.70
|
12.10
|
2.00
|
4.99
|
0.30
|
-12.03
|
|
800W
|
13.25
|
3.33
|
14.55
|
5.05
|
56.40
|
12.08
|
2.50
|
4.99
|
0.50
|
-12.04
|
| 1050W | 16.55 | 3.33 | 15.75 | 5.04 | 74.00 | 12.07 | 3.00 | 4.99 | 0.60 | -12.03 |
Load regulation is fantastic with all the rails holding tight, within 1.5%.
| Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 |
Maximum Load |
| 1202W |
We managed to get another 152W from the power supply before the protection circuitry kicked in. The supply was undamaged and it was ready to fire up again when we dropped the load to a more realistic level.
Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.
| Cross Load Testing | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | -12V | +5VSB | |||||
| A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | |
| 885W | 2.0 | 3.34 | 2.0 | 5.04 | 72.0 | 12.08 | 0.2 | -12.03 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
| 240W | 20.0 | 3.33 | 24.0 | 5.03 | 2.0 | 12.10 | 0.2 | -12.03 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 power supply delivered a great set of results in the demanding Cross load test, as shown above.
We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum. ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.
|
ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
|
|
|
Output
|
Ripple (mV p-p)
|
|
+3.3V
|
50
|
|
+5V
|
50
|
|
+12V1
|
120
|
|
+12V2
|
120
|
|
-12V
|
120
|
|
+5VSB
|
50
|
Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.
| AC Ripple (mV p-p) | ||||
| DC Load | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | 5VSB |
| 100W | 10 | 10 | 15 | 5 |
| 200W | 15 | 10 | 15 | 10 |
| 400W | 15 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| 600W | 15 | 15 | 20 | 15 |
| 800W | 15 | 15 | 25 | 15 |
| 1050W | 15 | 20 | 30 | 15 |
Ripple suppression is very good. All of the rails exhibit very low ripple and the +12v rail for instance peaks at 30mV, well within the rated specifications.
|
Efficiency (%)
|
|
|
100W
|
85.5
|
|
200W
|
88.7
|
|
300W
|
93.2
|
|
500W
|
94.4
|
|
800W
|
93.4
|
| 1050W | 92.2 |
The overall efficiency results are excellent, peaking at 94.4% at 500W. This drops close to 92% efficiency at full load, a very impressive result.
We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
Today to test the Power Supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.
As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refrigerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
|
Noise (dBA)
|
|
|
100W
|
28.0
|
|
200W
|
28.0
|
|
400W
|
30.9
|
|
600W
|
32.0
|
| 800W | 33.2 |
| 1050W | 34.3 |
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 power supply is very quiet under normal circumstances, and basically silent until around 550Watts of power is demanded. The fan profile holds fairly steady until around 800 watts is needed. The fan quickly spins up in the last 100 watts of power output, however this isn’t really a practical way to run a system.
|
Temperature (c)
|
||
|
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
|
100W
|
35
|
38
|
|
200W
|
35
|
41
|
|
400W
|
37
|
43
|
|
650W
|
43
|
51
|
|
800W
|
45
|
52
|
| 1050W | 47 | 59 |
Temperatures are well controlled as the fan spins actively once load hits 900W load and beyond.
|
Maximum load
|
Efficiency
|
|
1202W
|
91.3
|
Pushing the power supply above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 91.3%. This is not a viable ‘real world’ situation, but its interesting nonetheless.
The Platinum 1050XP3 continues the long line of success stories in recent years for Seasonic. The build quality of the power supply is exceptional, and even the chassis has been designed and coated to the highest standards. It wasn't a surprise to announce that it passed our screw driver stress test with flying colours.
This is not the first time we have reviewed one of the latest Platinum XP3 supplies from Seasonic. We looked at the Seasonic Platinum 1200W back in May, and also the Cooler Master V1200 Platinum – which used the same Seasonic design. All three power supplies exhibit very similar results, the Seasonic units use higher grade Nippon Chemi Con capacitors in the primary stage. Seasonic adopted a triple 390uF 420V capacitor configuration in their 1200W supply, while the Cooler Master 1200W unit incorporates a single 390uf 420V capacitor with two lesser 330uF 420V capacitors.
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 uses three Nippon Chemi Con 105c 330uF 420V capacitors and in our tests it was actually able to deliver 1,200Watts of power before shutting down. This is a remarkable result and bodes well if you are running close to the 1000W redline under load. Seasonic are clearly over specifiying these units which is commendable, especially as we often see corners being cut by competitors.
Technically it is difficult to find fault with the 1050WXP3. Load regulation is class leading and the unit coped exceptionally well with our stressful cross loading test. Ripple suppression is also noteworthy, although the record holder is still the Corsair AX1500i Titanium – even though it ships with a substantial premium.
We also have to compliment Seasonic on their use of premium grade Sanyo Denki Fans in this range of power supplies. They are exceptionally quiet while producing high levels of air when needed. The new hysteresis mode means it is actually likely to be stationary when the system is idle or even under modest load.
The Seasonic Platinum 1050WXP3 Modular Power Supply is available in the United Kingdom from Scan for £196.36 inc vat. At this price it should be making the final shortlist for a new high end Crossfire or SLi system build.
Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.
Pros:
- built to the highest standards.
- Nippin Chemi Con 105c rated primary capacitors
- pure modular design.
- hysteresis system works great.
- high grade Sanyo Denki fan.
- 8 PCIe connectors and 14 SATA connectors.
- 7 year warranty.
Cons:
- None.
Kitguru says: Seasonic are producing some of the finest power supplies on the market in 2014.
