Seasonic Platinum Series 860W - Platinum without the Fuss
by Martin Kaffei on February 24, 2012 12:00 AM ESTDelivery Contents, Power Rating, and Fan
The contents of the Platinum 860W package are not as extensive as those of the MaxRevo series from Enermax. However, you still get two different types of cable ties, a user guide, a bag with the modular connectors, screws for installing the PC power supply in the case, a small screwdriver, and a Seasonic sticker. The ATX power supply itself is well protected from dust and dirt with a cloth bag.
One interesting feature is that Seasonic uses a high quality fan from Sanyo Denki, with a twist. As we will see when we take a closer look to the case, there's a small switch next to the modular sockets. This switch allows users to choose between active mode (the fan will always spin, even if slowly) or semi-passive operation. If the latter is selected, the fan won't rotate at loads below 40%. The idea is similar to what Seasonic offered with their X-Series, but now users have the ability to choose non-passive operation if they prefer a small amount of airflow. Seasonic also provides a 7-year warranty, though of course that doesn't say anything about the actual quality of service or support.
Similar to the X-Series the +3.3V and +5V outputs are rated at 25A each. Together these can deliver up to 125W (so it's not actually possible to draw the maximum current from both simultaneously). Meanwhile the more important +12V output is very powerful and can reach up to 852W output, though in practice the +3.3V and +5V will use some of the available power. +5VSB is rated at 3A. The first parts of the serial number tell us that this power supply was produced in December 2011.
Seasonic installed a 9S1212F04 fan from Sanyo Denki, which we've seen in many other expensive power supplies. This fan uses very good ball bearings and has seven fan blades. Seasonic covers part of the fan by a plastic foil in order to better direct airflow and reduce turbulence. In contrast to the earlier design of the X-Series, the fan speed cannot be adjusted by the duty cycle (PWM). Antec has a patent in this area and Seasonic acquired a restricted license only; thus, the fan speed regulation uses different voltages to control RPMs. With 0.19A the fan has a moderate maximum current use.
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Death666Angel - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Kingwin/Super Flower have 500W, 550W, 600W and Enermax has 500W and 600W as well.ShieTar - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Kingwin has a 300W even, and Sama has a 400W. You can always check for Platinum certified supplies directly at the source:http://www.plugloadsolutions.com/80PlusPowerSuppli...
There are 90 Platinum certifications by now.
adece - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Antec has its Earth Watts Series which was recently bumped to Platinum efficiency, although this are not modular, not even semi.elian123 - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
OK, great. Thanks guys, I'd only noticed reviews of the bigger ones up till now.Martin Kaffei - Saturday, February 25, 2012 - link
I'll test the Antec 450W soon.Leyawiin - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
Just got a gold X-560. I'll never buy another brand now.AnnoyedGrunt - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
I have an older Seasonic (can't remember which model), but it is an awesome power supply. I live in a heavily wooded area and often on windy days the trees hitting the power lines will cause the lights to flicker, sometimes my monitor to power cycle, but through it all my computer will stay on and working due to the excellent properties of the Seasonic. I, too, will keep buying what I consider to be the best brand in power supplies these days.Good to hear their current products are even better than the older model I use.
-AG
rrohbeck - Sunday, February 26, 2012 - link
Same here. The other day we had a power glitch and the light went out for a fraction of a second. I went over to my big system to see if it would reboot cleanly (it's also a file server) but it was still running. Nice! It uses an X750 Gold.aurareturn - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
I have had a Corsair HX 520 modular PSU since 2007. It's made by Seasonic. Still running like a champ.Also have another Corsair Seasonic PSU in my new computer. Running for 2 years now. Still great.
piroroadkill - Friday, February 24, 2012 - link
I had an HX520 for so long, that now I gave it to my brother for his system to replace a generic. Still works perfectly.Got myself a Seasonic X-660. The packaging, the look of the thing, the fully modular design - it screams class.