Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W PSU Review

1. Introduction2. Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W (Bundle & Cables)3. Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W PSU (External)4. Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W (Internal)5. Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W (Super High Res Gallery)6. Testing Methodology & Results7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

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
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA

We combine all +12V output for results.

For those interested, the supplied iPower Meter readings were highly inaccurate throughout testing.

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
330W	5.58	3.36	5.54	5.11	21.23	12.23	0.85	5.04	0.20	-12.00
620W	11.06	3.32	11.02	5.07	42.57	12.17	1.74	5.03	0.40	-12.03
918W	16.54	3.27	16.44	5.03	63.75	12.04	2.64	5.01	0.60	-12.08
1204W	22.03	3.23	22.04	5.00	85.12	11.92	3.6	5.00	0.80	-12.12

Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W PSU	Maximum Load
	1315W

Load regulation is not the best we have seen this year, however it falls within safe parameters. We managed to get 1315W from the unit before it would switch off. The over circuit protection system worked well and it shut off safely.

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	3.35	3.0	5.09	88.0	11.87	0.20	-12.02	0.50	5.04
195W	19.0	3.22	22.0	5.00	2.5	12.20	0.20	-11.99	0.50	5.02

Cross load results are fine, although there is quite a drop on the +12V output and +3.3V output.

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
330W	20	15	25	10
620W	25	15	50	10
918W	30	20	60	15
1204W	30	25	75	20

The Thortech Thunderbolt Plus 1200W PSU passed our noise suppression test however the results are far from class leading. The +12V output peaks at 75mV, still within rated tolerance parameters but higher than many 1000W+ units we have reviewed lately.

Efficiency (%)
330W	88.21
620W	90.97
918W	89.75
1204W	88.02

Efficiency is reasonably good, peaking at just under 91 percent at 50 percent 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)
330W	29.7
620W	32.8
918W	35.4
1204W	38.2

The power supply is quiet below 600W, but the fan quickly spins up to compensate. At full load it is clearly audible and likely to be heard, even above several quality case fans.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
330W	35	39
620W	38	45
918W	42	50
1204W	46	57

The fan spins fast at higher loads which maintains a good thermal curve across all the output range. At full load it only rises to an 11c above ambient threshold.

Maximum load	Efficiency
1315W	86.3

Pushing the PSU above its rated limits generates an efficiency level of around 86.3%. This is not a viable ‘real world’ situation, but its interesting nonetheless.

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