Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Series RGB 650w PSU Review

Efficiency, PFC and Voltage Regulation

Voltage Regulation

When testing for voltage regulation the main key factor we look for is minimal variance at different outputs levels. Put simply, the smaller the deviancy the better the power supply is for managing its output. Consistency is also a key factor here. A high percentage result isn’t necessarily bad as long as all the figures are generally in line with each other.

As can be seen in the figures below, overall the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Series RGB did excellently in terms of its performance. The most impressive factor is its performance on the 12V rail. While the numbers themselves do range slightly, the overall average deviance is exceptionally low. Given that the +12V rail is the most critical (and heavily used) a strong performance in this area is always a positive factor.

Power Efficiency

The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand Series RGB is gold-rated. As such, it should provide some excellent efficiency rating. Our testing found that the output levels put this comfortable within the Gold rating with top end efficiency being seen in the mid-load ranged at about 92%. Our testing did, however, find lower efficiency levels at the full and minimal output when compared to Thermaltake’s advertised levels on the box.

We are certainly not implying that our methodology for testing is better than theirs, however, on our bench at least, while the results more than met the brand requirements, they did not achieve the heights suggested on the packaging.

Power Factor Correction

Unlike the efficiency levels, there is nothing on the box to suggest the PFC levels for this power supply. Despite that though, the figures provided on testing were strong and seemed to suggest that the harder you pushed this power supply the better it got. The results clearly indicate that this power supply is at its best when working at around a 60% output load.