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This fan is unique to this unit and not something we have seen before in a power supply. Noctua have adopted a high speed version of the award winning NF A12x25 HW-PWM fan. This is a DC12V fan rated at a maximum of 2400 rpm. 2.28W and 0.19A. Noctua claim that this fan when combined with the custom grille on the top of the PSU, reduce noise levels by 8-10dBa throughout the range of speeds. Not only is this impressive if true, but it is worth bearing in mind that this Noctua fan is only 120 mm compared with the Hong Hua HA13525H12SF-Z 135mm in the Seasonic version of this supply (which we reviewed back in July 2023).
To be truthful I would have loved to see a larger 130mm-140mm version of this fan in this power supply for even better possible results. It is a big PSU and could accommodate a larger fan without issue.
This fan uses a class leading SSO2 bearing which will last likely longer than multiple PC's combined. Noctua even include anti vibration pads on the corners. They really are trying to maximise the focus on the lowest possible noise, which we love to see.
As we know Seasonic are the OEM for this design and it looks to me like Noctua have not made too many changes internally. The colours, the fan grille and the fan are obviously proprietary by design as we said earlier. Additionally it is worth mentioning that the fan above has no plastic sheet sections to direct airflow over the components as we would often see in Seasonic power supplies. Noctua are leaving the fan completely open. This is fairly unusual.
The design uses an bridgeless, interleaved PFC to ensure the highest levels of efficiency for Titanium rating – and it also adopts a full bridge topology with LLC resonant converter.
The PCB while massive is density populated with components across the board and Seasonic are using large heatsinks inside, even though this has a Titanium rated efficiency level. This obviously helps to reduce heat throughout and lower the trigger points for the fan above.
This design is generating the primary +12V rail via 16x immensely powerful Nexperia FETs. This rail is also powering a pair of DC-DC converters to generate minor rails. This is a common design across this specific Seasonic platform and is highly efficient.
As we would expect from Seasonic, the soldering on the PCB is top drawer and they are using high grade 105c rated Japanese capacitors across both primary and secondary stages. The primary stage capacitors are the distinctive Nippon Chemi con KHE family caps. Three in total for a whopping 2460uF output (3x 820uF). This is one of the most powerful units we have had in to test and is identical to the ‘plain' Seasonic branded version we reviewed back on 16th July 2023.
This unit offers OPP/OVP/UVP/SCP/OCP and OTP protections. As it falls under the Seasonic warranty terms, it has a 12 year warranty in place.
All in all an extremely impressive design, both by choice of components and quality of the execution.
