ThermalTake ToughPower Grand 750W Power Supply Review

1. Introduction2. ThermalTake ToughPower Grand 750W Power Supply3. ThermalTake ToughPower Grand 750W Power Supply (inside)4. Testing Methodology and Results5. Closing Thoughts6. View All Pages

2010 has been a great year for high quality power supplies with some fantastic releases from leading manufacturers such as Corsair and Enermax. We have reviewed many of the leading supplies such as the AX1200, AX850 and Revolution 85+ 1020W.

Today we looking at a new model in the Thermaltake range, the Toughpower Grand 750w which is 80 PLUS gold certified. Thermaltake are claiming over 90% efficiency. As well as the high levels of efficiency the supply offers 12V1 with dedicated single rail and FanDelayCool technology with a 14cm dual bearing fan to offer enhanced product life. The supply is nVidia SLI certified and offers Intel C6 State Mode Support. It is fully capable of handling a GTX295, GTX480, HD5970 and all high end video cards.

Features:

• Compliance with Intel ATX 12V 2.3 & SSI EPS 12V 2.92 standards.
• 80 PLUS Gold certified – extreme efficiency PSU series with 87-92% efficiency @ 20-100% load to cut down electric cost.
• 24/7 @ 50℃: Guaranteed to deliver 750W continuous power.
• Pure aesthetic design with uncompromising performance.
• Proprietary dual ball bearing 14cm flower-shape fan enables longer lifespan and lowers overall noise output by dramatically reducing bearing frictions.
• 100% 105℃ (221℉) Japanese made electrolytic capacitors: the foundation of a robust and reliable power source even under the harshest operating environment.
• 105°C (221℉) Solid state capacitors not only last longer than electrolytic capacitors but also offer excellent durability and reliability.
• Newly designed Active PFC circuitry provides higher efficiency during low-voltage input.
• Double-forward switching circuitry: compared with traditional circuitry, double-forward switching circuitry offers low power loss and high reliability.
• Unparalleled DC to DC converters for 3.3V and 5V outputs to reach high efficiency.
• 12Vin1: single +12V rail design providing up to 52A.
• FanDelayCool Technology: allows 14cm fan to continue to operate 15-30 sec after system shuts-down to ensure all components are properly cooled.
• Multi–GPU ready: 2 x PCI-E 8pin & 2 x PCI-E 6pin for PCI-Express graphic cards.
• Auto switching circuitry for universal AC input from 90-264V.
• Active Power Factor Correction (PFC) with PF value of 0.95 at full load.
• High reliability: MTBF>120,000 hours.
• DIMENSION: 5.9”(W) x 3.4”(H) x 7.1” (L);150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 180mm(L)
• Built-in industry grade protections : Over Current, Over Power, Over Voltage, Under Voltage and Short-Circuit protection.
• Safety / EMI Approvals: CE, TUV, FCC, UL, CUL, GOST and BSMI certified.

The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W arrives in a huge black box with a high quality image of the supply on the front. There is a 80 PLUS Gold approval badge at the bottom with a mention of the 7 year Thermaltake Warranty.

The box opens in a gatefold design with a list of the main features on both sections.

When the outer cover is removed there is a thick cardboard box inside which opens to reveal the goodies.

The package is beautifully presented with 4 Cable Straps, 4x Cable Clamps, 1x Thermaltake Aluminum badge, 4x Screws for mounting, 1x Accessory bag and 2x Vibration Absorbent Gaskets. All the modular cables are supplied in a thick bag which can be used to store the cables you aren't using.

The addition of cable clamps is a nice touch as it will help to neaten up a system build, especially with SLI and Crossfire system configurations.

There is a full wealth of connectivity, including support for dual video card configurations with 2x 8pin and 2x 6pin PCIe power connectors. All connectors are colour coded at the rear of the PSU for easy connection – PCI-E connectors are labeled in pink with peripheral connectors in black. The cables are fully sleeved.

The PSU is nicely finished in a dark graphite which is extremely attractive. We like the shape and curved sides which give it considerable aesthetic appeal. The 140mm fan deserves a mention because the blades have been designed in a ‘flower shape' to reduce noise (by 3% according to Thermaltake) and enhance the thermal management capabilities. The fan remains active for a short while (15-30 seconds) after turning the PSU off, to help cool the components.

The rear is home to an industrial grade mechanical AC on/off button which illuminates. Gaskets can be fitted to the sides to absorb vibrations.

While no one at home should be opening their PSU, Thermaltake have placed a red accented strip completely around the chassis which has to be destroyed to open it. This should not affect customers, but we were saddened to have to ruin the looks of the PSU to get inside it.

The TT 1425 Fan is a Brushless DC 12V model designed by Yen Sun Technology (or YSTech as most people will know them by). I have fond memories of using YSTech fans on my CPU coolers many years ago and it is great to see Thermaltake adopting their products. The fan is rated at 120,000 hours minimum life and spins at a maximum of 1,900 rpm.

Internally we can see high quality Japanese made electrolytic capacitors and solid state capacitors to handle the DC-DC converter module and 3.3V and 5V ripple. Solid state capacitors offer longer life time with increased stability and reliability.

Above close ups of the DC-DC Converter module inside the ToughPower Grand. This delivers synchronous rectification of +12V & DC to DC conversion of +3.3V and + 5V circuitry. This helps to maintain tight DC output to reduce compatibility issues while enhancing the stability of the voltage output. Additionally this gives high levels of dynamic response and increases efficiency levels.

The new Active PFC circuit in the GRAND is a double forward switching circuitry design which gives lower power loss and higher reliability and is able to reach high efficiency rates at various load levels, right up to full load. We will obviously test this out later.

The ToughPower Grand 750W unit can deliver up to 60A on the 12V rail, it was a deliberate design decision from Thermaltake to create a single, powerful 12V rail to ensure maximum compatibility and performance. The 650W model can deliver 52A on the 12V rail. The PFC coil is on the left on the image above with the main transformer in the middle.

The Toughpower Grand series are also able to maintain an ultra tight DC regulation to support C6 state CPU mode by the Zero Load (0W) design.

Above left we can see the EMI Filter and X and Y Capacitors with surge protection. Above right is a close up of the heatsinks which populate and seperate various sections of the design.

The cabling is braided completely into the chassis to ensure protection against the fraying of any wires. Everything is well shielded inside to keep crossover and potential issues negated.

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 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
• 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		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
75W	1.21	3.36	1.18	5.04	4.87	12.18	0.50	5.03	0.20	-12.12
150W	2.19	3.33	2.79	5.04	9.87	12.16	1.00	5.03	0.30	-12.10
375W	6.13	3.32	5.98	5.03	26.10	12.12	1.50	5.01	0.50	-12.10
565W	10.28	3.32	10.88	5.02	38.35	12.09	2.00	5.00	0.60	-12.08
750W	10.75	3.30	13.88	5.00	53.48	12.06	3.00	4.98	0.80	-12.04

A fantastic set of results for the Grand 750W PSU with primary and second outputs all remaining within 1.5% of their target values – excellent.

ToughPower Grand 750W	Maximum Load
	873W

The PSU managed to hit 873W before shutting down without a problem. It could run at 870W for a reasonably long time and we are glad to report that the overcircuit protection circuitry worked without a hitch.

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
734W	1.0	3.33	1.0	5.06	60.0	12.04	0.2	-12.08	0.50	5.01
154W	15.0	3.29	15.0	4.98	2.0	11.98	0.2	-12.12	0.50	5.00

The Thermaltake Grand PSU had no problems with our crossloading tests and even with a 60A load on the 12V output it held steady (load was light on the other outputs). With such an intensive load the voltages can often fluctuate but the Grand really delivers the goods. Obviously this is down to the DC to DC converter design which produces +3.3V and +5V outputs from the +12 rail.

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	+12V	5VSB
75W	5	5	5	5
150W	5	5	10	5
375W	10	10	15	15
565W	10	15	15	15
750W	15	20	25	15

These are fantastic results, in the same class as the Corsair AX supplies we reviewed in the last month. 25mv on the 12V+ is a great figure to see.

Efficiency (%)
75W	89.1
150W	89.7
375W	92.1
565W	91.6
750W	89.8

The efficiency results are fantastic, easily achieving 80 PLUS Gold certification. At 50% load the unit is delivering over 92% efficiency which only drops to 89.8% at full load.

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 Refridgerator
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)
75W	21.8
150W	23.2
375W	27.9
565W	31.8
750W	36.9

The noise reading show that this unit is only really audible when delivering 75%-100% of the total rated power. These are very good results.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
75W	35	37
150W	35	39
375W	40	43
565W	43	48
750W	45	54

The 140mm YSTECH flower shaped fan is an impressive beast and keeps temperatures only 9c above ambient intake at full load. Even more impressive is the fact that it doesn't generate a racket when stressed hard.

Maximum load	Efficiency
873W	85.8

We like to rate the units maximum output efficiency, just before it turns off (or blows up as the case may be). We recorded 85.8% in this case which while not realistic conditions for anyone to use, is interesting.

The Thermaltake ToughPower Grand 750W PSU is an extremely impressive unit which met and exceeded 80 PLUS Gold requirements throughout the full range of our testing.

Aesthetically the Toughpower Grand rates highly with the curved edges, sexy black graphite colour with overlayed red accented stripe (shame we had to tear it to open the chassis however). It proves to be both sexy in appearance while remaining  subtle enough to fit into a wide range of system builds.

On a performance level it is difficult to be unimpressed with such a fantastic set of results. Efficiency levels are very high, rating over 92% at 50 percent load. Additionally the ripple results are right up there with the class leading Corsair AX power supplies which we reviewed recently.

Internally, no corner has been cut with high quality 105c rated Japanese electroytic capacitors combined with solid state capacitors. The 140mm ball bearing YSTECH ‘flower' shaped fan is both capable of keeping the heatsinks cool and the exhausted air is always firmly within check, maximising at 9c higher than ambient. The special fan shape also helps to ensure that noise levels are kept to a minimum, even when under 100% load.

We have yet to receive firm UK pricing for the Toughpower Grand 750W however if they can manage to get the retail price around £130 then we feel they are onto a firm winner. With a full 7 year warranty it is clear they are as confident as KitGuru that the product is going to last a very long time indeed.

KitGuru says: One of the finest supplies at this specific power point that we have tested.

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