FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W Platinum Review

1. Introduction2. Bundle & Cabling3. External4. Internal5. Testing Methodology and Results6. Closing Thoughts7. View All Pages

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.

We test ambient temperatures at 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
120W	0.90	3.33	0.93	5.02	8.95	12.04	0.50	5.00	0.20	-12.02
240W	1.62	3.33	1.63	5.02	18.45	12.04	1.00	5.01	0.20	-12.02
600W	3.00	3.33	3.11	5.02	46.78	12.02	1.50	5.01	0.30	-12.01
900W	4.01	3.33	4.05	5.02	70.86	12.00	2.00	5.01	0.30	-12.01
1200W	5.02	3.33	5.20	5.02	94.57	11.98	2.50	5.01	0.30	-12.01

Load regulation is really in the top tier, holding within 1%.

FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W	Maximum Load
	1387 Watts

We managed to get another 187 Watts from the power supply before the protection circuitry kicked in. The supply was fine and it was ready to fire up again when we dropped the load to a more realistic level.

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
1190W	4.0	3.33	3.0	5.02	88.0	11.99	0.2	-12.01	0.50	5.00
240W	19.0	3.33	22.0	5.02	2.5	12.04	0.2	-12.00	0.50	5.01

The FSP Hydro PTM X Pro 1200W handled our cross load tests without any issues. When hit with 88A, the +12V rail held at 11.99.

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
100W	5	5	10	5
200W	5	5	10	5
400W	5	5	10	5
600W	10	10	15	10
800W	15	10	20	10
1000W	15	10	20	15
1200W	15	10	25	15

Ripple Suppression is superb, hitting 25mV at full load on the +12V rail. Other rails fall well within industry rated parameters.

Efficiency (%)
100W	89.3
200W	91.5
400W	92.4
600W	94.7
800W	94.2
1000W	93.4
1200W	92.1

The overall efficiency results are excellent, peaking at close to 95% between 40-60% load, and dropping to 92.1% 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 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)
100W	<28.0
200W	<28.0
400W	<28.0
600W	29.7
800W	31.7
1000W	32.9
1200W	35.3

The fan does not make any noise until around 450-500 watts load, when it spins up a little to deal with rising temperatures and losses. The fan profile is not very aggressive, however with efficiency levels as high as this, it doesn't need to be.

At full load, the fan did not need to run at close to the maximum 2,700 rpm rotational figures. FSP could have optimised the fan a little better for even lower noise levels, but we feel a little higher speed is a safe course of action – especially as the fan never causes any audible discomfort. All round, great results for this unit.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
100W	35	37
200W	36	41
400W	38	44
650W	43	50
800W	45	54
1000W	47	57
1200W	50	61

Temperatures are well maintained throughout the load range thanks to the overall efficiency of the design and the good airflow from the large FDB fan.

Maximum load	Efficiency (%)
1387W	91.5

Pushing the power supply above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 91.5%. Not a realistic situation to be running but interesting nonetheless.

Become a Patron!