Thermaltake ToughPower XT 775w review

1. Introduction2. Bundle and Packaging3. Thermaltake XT 775 Power Supply4. Up close 'n' personal5. The Nitty Gritty6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

Thermaltake have a solid reputation for building capable and efficient power supplies and today we are looking at one of the four new units in their latest Toughpower XT Series – the 775. These range in output capacity from the entry level 575W to the high end 875W and they are supplied with modular cables.

All of the models in the range feature generous 140mm cooling fans, fan delay cooling technology, active PFC with high efficiency and ATX12V/EPS12V compliance.  The XT power supplies also utilise three LED status indicators on the side which are a very practical addition.

When you combine all this with a full 5 year warranty, initial impressions are already beginning to take a positive turn.

Thermaltake marketing have been keen to extoll the virtues of the XT series by adding: “By utilising the most advanced double forward & DC to DC Converter design along with highest-grade Japanese capacitors & solid state capacitors with the ability to withstand up to 105c (221f) the Toughpower XT series power supply is able to deliver unprecedented performance with exceptional voltage regulation, power efficiency and long lasting reliability that will be unrivalled by any current power supply on the market.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJNMbje0nrI

Thermaltake Toughpower XT Series 775W PSU Key features:

• 80 PLUS Bronze certified – provide up to 88% effective power conversion to cut down on electricity costs.
• Compliance with Intel ATX 12V 2.3 & SSI EPS 12V 2.91 standards
• 24/7 @ 50c: Guaranteed to deliver 575/675w/775w/875W continuous output power.
• Double forward switching circuitry: compared with traditional circuitry, double forward switching circuitry offers low power loss and high reliability.
• S.P.T. Indicator: PSU status monitor with 3 mode LED (Standby/PG Signal/Temperature)
• Unparalleled DC to DC converters for 3.3V and 5V outputs to reach high efficiency.
• 12Vin1: single +12v rail design providing up to 48A/56A/64A/72A
• Fan delay Cool Technology which allows the fan to continue to operate after system shuts down to ensure all components are properly cooled – helping to aid longevity.
• Solid state capacitors: great stability at higher operating temperatures, frequencies and currents.
• High Quality Japanese capacitors: ensure superb performance and reliability.
• Multi GPU ready: support up to two PCI E 6+2 pin & two PCI-E 6 pin for PCI Express graphics cards.
• Auto switching circuitry for universal AC input from 90-264V
• High Reliability: MTBF greater than 120,000 hours
• Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.95 at full load.
• Built in industrial grade protection circuitry: Over current, Over power, Over Voltage, Under voltage and Short circuit protection.
• Safety/ EMI Approvals: UL/CUL, TUV, FCC, CE, BSMI and GOST certified
• Dimensions: 150mm x 86mm x 160 mm (W,H,L).

The Toughpower XT series 775W psu is rated by Thermaltake to deliver up to 775watts of continuous power at 50c operating temperature. While 775w in today's computing environment doesn't seem like a huge amount of power, be aware that many less trustworthy manufacturers rate their units on much lower operating temperatures – something always worth checking into. The PSU also incorporates a single 12V line out which can deliver a whopping 64A (768W).

The Thermaltake ToughPower XT Series 775W supply arrives in a sturdy box which details the various selling points of the unit.

Thermaltake also supply a well written manual, a power cable, Velcro cable ties and modular cables stored inside a black nylon pouch. It is a comprehensive bundle.

There are a total of eight modular cables included in the box which should cater for even the most demanding enthusiast user (more on these on the next page).

The Thermaltake unit is encased in steel with a rather unusual murky, glossy brown paint … it measures 160mm which means it will prove no issue fitting into the majority of cases.

The colour of the unit raised a heated debate in our offices with a 50/50 split vote on loving/hating it. I think it looks alright, but matt black would be my choice.

The rear has a large vent to extract hot air outside the chassis and a simple power on/off rocker switch.

The front of the PSU features a series of 8 connections, split into 4×4 black and 4×4 red (Red is for PCI-E Cables and Black is for peripherals).

Earlier versions of this PSU didn't have fully sleeved cables entering the case (above) which looked quite unattractive.

Seemingly we had a newer revision as they were sleeved all the way in (see image directly above).

The unit comprises a ATX20/24 pin fixed cable and one ATX 12V/EPS12V 4 pin and 8 pin. Thermaltake also include 2x PCI Express 6 pin, 2x PCI Express 8 pin, 6 x Molex, 1 x FDD, 8 X Serial ATA.

As with many of their previous designs Thermaltake are using Channel Well Technology as their technology partner to help manufacture the XT supply.

It is a very similar design to the Corsair 950TX.

The primary area of the PSU features a high performance Nippon Chemi CON electrolytic capacitor which is rated at 400V, 680uF with an operating temperature of 105c.

The soldering throughout is of a very high standard indeed and very noticeable. The PWM controller is a CM6800G.

Voltage regulation for the lesser rails get power from the 12V line and these are controlled by APW7073 circuitry. Regulation is handled by dual configurations of ME70N03S and ME90N03.

Those of you who are observant will notice a single F3NK80Z and two IRFP460W switchers on the primary heatsink. Additionally the two DC to DC converter modules use solid polymer caps.

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 deilver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Over the coming months this configuration is likely to be adjusted further and fine tuned.

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
•    SunMoon SM-268
•    Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
•    Extech digital sound level meter
•    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		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
100W	1.68	3.34	1.77	5.09	6.65	12.05	0.2	-11.71	0.5	5.10
200W	2.77	3.33	3.54	5.09	13.71	12.03	0.3	-11.69	1.0	5.07
380W	7.72	3.29	7.17	5.06	25.95	12.00	0.3	-11.72	1.5	5.02
580W	9.40	3.27	7.81	5.03	42.18	11.95	0.5	-11.72	2.0	4.97
775W	4.70	3.29	3.99	5.06	61.95	11.80	0.6	-11.74	2.5	4.9

The table above shows the results for the Toughpower XT. The five +12V outputs were combined to four DC pre-programmable loads. Load regulation across the range is extremely impressive, even when pushed to 775W.

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.

Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		-12V		+5VSB
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
715W	1.01	3.32	1.0	5.03	60.0	11.80	0.2	-11.74	0.5	5.05
160W	15.0	3.23	17.0	4.99	2.0	12.05	0.2	-11.90	0.5	5.06

The Thermaltake Toughpower XT PSU coped with our cross loading test and produced a stellar set of results. We placed a really intense load on the +12V output and a small load on the other outputs. Frequently with this kind of load a PSU will gave worrying voltage results, but these are very good indeed.

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 Thermaltake unit complied with the ATX standard.

AC Ripple (mV p-p)
DC Load	+3.3V	+5V	+12v1	5VSB
100W	4	2	13	15
200W	5	2	21	16
380W	5	3	29	18
580W	5	3	35	20
775W	6	4	39	21

The XT 775W once again delivered a fantastic set of suppression figures across the AC ripple scale, particularly on the +12V rail.

Efficiency (%)
100w	84.1
200w	89.7
380w	90.5
582w	90.1
775w	87.4

There is no questioning the efficiency of the XT 775W Power Supply with results over 90% throughout the 360w-600w range. The PSU actually is into the 80 Plus Silver category but Thermaltake have marketed the unit as 80 Plus Bronze, which is rather modest of them.

Noise (dBA)
100w	31.7
200w	34.2
380w	34.3
582w	35.2
775w	43.1

The noise levels are excellent with the supply being virtually inaudible below 450w. Once 500w load is reached then the fan starts to speed up and it becomes an audible whisper. At full load the noise levels are clearly heard but it never becomes annoying.

Exhaust Temperature (c)
100w	24.8
200w	26.7
380w	33.2
582w	38.4
775w	47.1

Only when the unit hits over 600W load does the temperature reach 40c. Thermaltake have managed to get a good balance of noise v thermal dynamics throughout the range, it is not practical for a 775w power supply to be running close to 100% load on a sustained basis.

The Thermaltake Toughpower XT Series 775W Power supply has excelled in our testing with very high levels of stability and efficiency. When you combine this excellent performance with cool running operation and low noise it is hard not to walk away impressed with the overall package. The AC ripple is also extremely low, which we like to see. This will be a favourite supply with the demanding enthusiast audience as it can deliver up to 64A via the single +12V output and there are 4 PCIe connectors to cater for high end Crossfire and SLI configurations.

Voltage regulation is impressive with superb efficiency right across the range and we appreciate the fan shutdown delay which helps to expel any residual hot air remaining in the chassis. The S.P.T. indication also offers PG, Standby and Temperature status.

Any weaknesses? As hard as we tried it was extremely difficult to find fault with the unit …. the rather unusual brownish colour seemed to be the only negative talking point.

Technically Thermaltake have really delivered the goods with a class leading power supply without any major faults. The cherry on the cake is the competitive pricing at only £85 inc vat in the UK and full 5 year warranty to give total peace of mind.

KitGuru says: One of the finest PSU's in this sector right now.

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