We have reviewed many high end, wallet sapping Super Flower power supplies in recent years, but today we look at a lower cost model – the Platinum King 650W. With 80 Plus Platinum efficiency and a 120mm low noise fan the price point is set at £87.95 inc VAT from Overclockers UK. By today's Brexit hit rates, it is competitively priced.
According to Case King, the Super Flower Platinum King has been designed and released to offer ‘an impressive mix of efficiency, reliability and price/performance.' This is backed up with a 5 year warranty.
There is quite the history with this range of power supplies. The original Golden Green series was launched some time ago and it delivered 80 Plus Gold power at a great price point. Later Super Flower launched the Golden King series, based on the same core design, tweaked to achieve 80 Plus Platinum efficiency levels. It didn't make a lot of sense to me at the time why they called it ‘Golden King' when it was actually Platinum certified.
In late 2013 they launched the Leadex Gold to replace the Golden Green series, while offering very high levels of power delivery and quality control.
The Platinum King is the latest unit in their series with hardwired cables, 80 Plus Platinum efficiency levels and likely a tweaked design brought into 2016. There are three supplies in the range, a 450W, 550W and 650W model – the latter of which we are reviewing today.
Specification
– Real Power: 650W
– Efficiency: 80 Plus Platinum
– Transform Efficiency: on 20% 50% 100% loading, with 91.64% 92.88% 90.99% Efficiency.
– Intel Power Design Guide: EPS Ver. 2.92
– Outlook: Honeycomb ventilation panel, high efficiency air flow design
– Fan Size: 12cm Silent Fan with temperature control
– Dimension: 145mm(L) x 150mm(W) x 86mm(H)
– Protection: OVP/OCP/OPP/SCP/UVP
– Safety Certificates: BSMI R33529 / CE / FCC / CUL / cTUVus / CB
No, its not a flower, or even a Mario inspired ‘Super flower' on the box, its a butterfly. Perhaps ‘Super Butterfly' was already trademarked.
Inside, along with the power supply is a regional specific power connector and a little user reference sheet masquerading as a user manual. The user manual does not appear to have been updated for this model as there is mention (along with pictures) of a ‘Thermal Control System' which is a switch to toggle an ECO fan on/off system. This switch is not available on the Platinum King model.
All of the sleeved cables are hardwired into the chassis.
Connectors
– 1 x 20+4-Pin ATX12V/EPS12V
– 1 x 4+4-Pin ATX12V/EPS12V
– 3 x 6+2-Pin-PCIe
– 5 x SATA
– 3 x 4-Pin-Molex
The Superflower Platinum King 650W is a very basic looking power supply with an embossed logo on the side panel.
Build quality is reasonable, if not exceptional. At least there are no gaudy colours on the chassis which can conflict with coordinated system builds.
A large 12cm fan takes pride of place behind the grill and company logo.
One side of the supply is home to a power switch and connector. Venting aids with air flow.
Interesting to see the model number: SF-650P14PE, this is exactly the same model number as the Super Flower Golden King 650W model.
Superflower Platinum King 650W | |||||
DC Output
|
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V |
-12V
|
+5Vsb
|
Max Output
|
20A
|
20A
|
54A |
0.3A
|
2.5A
|
Total Power | 100W | 648W | 6W | 12.5W | |
650W |
Power delivery is pretty much as we would expect from a single rail +12V 650 W PSU.
Super Flower have opted for a Globe Fan with ‘Duro Bearing', model number S1202512L rated DC 12 0.18A.
This design uses an LLC resonant convertor in the primary stage. There are several rows of black coloured heatsinks to aid with heat dissipation which shouldn't be too high considering the rated efficiency of this platform.
The Super Flower design is quite clean although I did notice some less than stellar PCB soldering, including some hand made solder joints. The primary capacitor is Japanese branded Nippon Chemi Con (SMQ series) – rated 400v 560uF. It is one of the lower 85c rated caps however, not 105c. Secondary stage capacitors are also 85c rated.
The cables are firmly tied into place and are sleeved to ensure that fraying against the metal chassis won't be a concern long term.
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 recently – 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
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
152W
|
2.05
|
3.35
|
2.04
|
5.10
|
10.12
|
12.21
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.02
|
270W
|
3.03
|
3.32
|
3.05
|
5.07
|
19.14
|
12.17
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.02
|
400W
|
4.05
|
3.30
|
5.02
|
5.03
|
29.18
|
12.14 |
1.00
|
5.00
|
0.30
|
-12.03
|
523W |
6.09
|
3.27
|
7.04
|
5.00
|
38.18
|
12.09
|
1.50
|
5.00 |
0.30
|
-12.02
|
650W
|
8.00
|
3.24
|
9.00
|
4.97
|
48.00
|
12.05
|
2.50
|
4.99
|
0.30
|
-12.01
|
Load regulation is fairly good across the range, although the +3.3V rail dropped a little more than we normally would see from a Platinum rated unit.
Super Flower Platinum King 650W | Maximum Load |
704W |
We managed to get the PSU to deliver 704 watts before it would shut down, delivering around 54 watts more than the rated specifications.
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 | |
590W | 1.0 | 3.34 | 1.0 | 5.09 | 48.0 | 12.06 | 0.2 | -12.02 | 0.50 | 5.00 |
145W | 12.0 | 3.22 | 15.0 | 4.95 | 2.0 | 12.22 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 4.99 |
The unit passed our cross load test without a real problem.
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 |
152W | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 |
270W | 15 | 15 | 15 | 5 |
400W | 15 | 15 | 25 | 5 |
523W | 15 | 20 | 30 | 10 |
650W | 20 | 20 | 35 | 10 |
Ripple suppression is very good, falling well within industry rated parameters.
Efficiency (%)
|
|
152W
|
91.33
|
270W
|
93.28
|
400W
|
93.75
|
523W
|
92.27
|
650W
|
91.49
|
Efficiency is excellent – peaking around 93.8% at 50% load. At full load this drops to around 91.5%
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)
|
|
152W
|
<28.0
|
270W
|
29.2
|
400W
|
31.6
|
523W
|
32.5
|
650W | 34.3 |
The Super Flower Platinum King 650W power supply is quiet at loads below 350 watts with the fan barely spinning at all. When the load rises to above 500 watts, the fan spins up to compensate. At full load the fan can be heard, but will likely be masked by several case fans.
Temperature (c)
|
||
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
152W
|
36
|
38
|
270W
|
39
|
41
|
400W
|
42
|
43
|
523W
|
43
|
48
|
650W
|
45
|
54
|
The fan is basically inactive for a large portion of load demand, actively spinning within the last 30% of load demand. Internal temperatures are maintained well throughout.
Maximum load
|
Efficiency
|
704W
|
90.7
|
Pushing the power supply above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 90.7%. This is not a viable ‘real world’ situation, but its interesting nonetheless.
The Super Flower Platinum King 650W is a capable power supply and as it is priced below £90 it will target a wide enthusiast audience.
While the appearance of the unit is unlikely to win any awards, it is a clean outward design. The plain black scheme means it will fit into any colour coordinated system build without being an eyesore.
Technically, the unit is solid. It falls within the top 10% of supplies we have tested at this capacity and doesn't exhibit any potentially worrying weakness. Load regulation is pretty good, and ripple suppression falls well within rated industry parameters.
Due to the high levels of efficiency and the large heatsinks inside, the large 120mm fan spins very slowly until the last 20-25% of load and will likely not be heard above 1 or 2 simple case fans. If you own a high end graphics card this power supply would make for a very cost effective, low noise shortlist option.
You can buy the Super Flower Platinum King 650 watt power supply from Overclockers UK for £87.95 inc vat HERE. At this price it is certainly deserving of some serious consideration.
Discuss on our Facebook page, over HERE.
Pros:
- Technically a solid design.
- Quiet.
- Japanese Capacitors inside.
- quality cabling.
- 5 year warranty.
- competitive pricing.
Cons:
- not the most exciting design to look at.
- 85C, not 105C rated capacitors.
KitGuru says: The Super Flower Platinum King 650W is a very capable, quiet power supply combining high levels of efficiency with low levels of heat and noise. At less than £90, it is deserving of a final shortlist for a new system build.