Thermaltake ToughPower Grand RGB Gold (Sync Edition) 750W Power Supply Review

1. Introduction2. Packaging, Contents & Exterior3. Teardown & Component Analysis4. Load Regulation, Hold-Up Time & Inrush Current5. Efficiency, Temperature & Noise6. Protection Features & DC Power Sequencing7. Cross-Load Tests & Infrared Images8. Transient Response Tests9. Ripple Measurements10. EMC Pre-Compliance Testing11. Performance, Value, Noise & Efficiency12. Final Analysis13. View All Pages

Protection Features

Our protection features evaluation methodology is described in detail here.

Protection Features TPG-750AH3FSGR
OCP	12V: 85.6A (136.96%), 11.9V 5V: 33.5A (152.27%), 4.969 3.3V: 35.2A (160%), 3.245V 5VSB: 4.2A (140%), 4.886V
OPP	1042.9W (139.05%)
OTP	✓ (180°C @ 12V Heatsinks)
SCP	12V: ✓ 5V: ✓ 3.3V: ✓ 5VSB: ✓ -12V: ✓
PWR_OK	Accurate (but lower than 16ms)
NLO	✓
SIP	Surge: MOV Inrush: NTC Thermistor & Bypass Relay

The OCP at +12V and the over power protection are set a little higher than the ideal, which is 130%. The minor rails go pretty high, without any nasty surprises though. Nonetheless, from the moment the 5V and 3.3V rails are only lightly used it should be better if their OCP thresholds were set lower.

The over temperature protection is there, shutting down the PSU once the temperature on the +12V heatsinks goes above 180°C. Moreover, there is short circuit protection on all rails and the power ok signal is accurate.

Protection Features TPG-650AH3FSGR
OCP	12V: 75.6A (139.48%), 11.963V 5V: 32.3A (146.82%), 5V 3.3V: 33.2A (150.91%), 3.22V 5VSB: 4.2A (140%), 4.897V
OPP	922.9W (141.98%)
OTP	✓ (170°C @ 12V Heatsink)
SCP	12V: ✓ 5V: ✓ 3.3V: ✓ 5VSB: ✓ -12V: ✓
PWR_OK	Accurate (but lower than 16ms)
NLO	✓
SIP	Surge: MOV Inrush: NTC Thermistor & Bypass Relay

The 650W model has a similar OPP threshold with the 750W unit, at close to 140% of the max-rated-output. The over current protection on all rails is set a little higher than the ideal (130%), while the over temperature protection kicked in at 10°C lower,  at 170°C.

The power ok signal is accurate but lower than 16ms and there is short circuit protection on all rails. In today's PSUs this protection might be a typical feature, however we have encountered cases where even high-end units broke down once we short circuited their rails. Those platforms were defective of course, since SCP is absolutely necessary in every PSU out there.

DC Power Sequencing

According to Intel’s most recent Power Supply Design Guide (revision 1.4) the +12V and 5V voltages must be equal or greater than the 3.3V rail’s output at all times, during the power-up and normal operation. For our first measurement, we turn the unit off and switch it back on without any load in any of the rails.

In the second test, we set the PSU to standby mode, dial full load and start it afterwards. In the last test, while the power supply is completely switched off (we cut off the power or switch the supply off through its power switch), we dial full load before restoring power.

The 3.3V rail's voltage is always lower than 5V and 12V, so everything is fine here.

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