This was the 2nd PSU so yes, and we have spoken to them tonight. Does seem to be a big concern for them tbh.
OC3D Review: XFX Black Edition 850w ATX PSU
- Thread starter JN
- Start date
Think it will be getting discussed with the oem manufacturer
name='RSC08' said:
*cough* thats the problem with it
What Tom is trying to imply is that yes, it would seem that this particular model does have OCP issues. Every other PSU I've performed the "MAX Load" test on I could keep tripping OCP until the cows come home without any ill effect. However, just a couple of trips of OCP on this unit and *bang*.
Unfortunately when we tested the M12D, the max load test wasn't part of the procedure, but given that they are the same unit essentially I'd be willing to place a bet that they have the same issue.
Unfortunately when we tested the M12D, the max load test wasn't part of the procedure, but given that they are the same unit essentially I'd be willing to place a bet that they have the same issue.
The offer has been sent. Plenty of people think it would be a very good idea to find out if these are indeed safe.
name='RSC08' said:
Yeah I'm going to try. The only thing is that we'd probably have to get a retail sample as I cant see us getting anything direct
name='RSC08' said:
Interesting. I would like to know how long they actually maintained that load for. During my tests of the unit it did indeed hold up just shy of 1000w for about 1-2 minutes before powering off. At this point I started to lower the +12v load until I could find a load that it was capable of holding for more than 10 minutes solid. It was during this process that the 'explosion' occured.
Although I don't want to knock anyone's testing procedures, I know all too well how tempting it is to run a test at a certain load for just enough time to gather the results before moving on. Especially when you get to 1000w, the heat from the PSU and load testing equipment can get a bit much - not to mention damage to your load equipment if it is not properly cooled.
Unfortunate
This is really unfortunate. I had this PSU on order and cancelled it based on this review
I did a decent amount of research in coming to my conclusion to order it in the first place. Even though i may never create the circumstance that this would take place i still would not feel comfortable leaving my computer on while i am not at home.
I would gladly support a company that takes a boring little box and turns it into something that i would find next to a Strog's corpse and has the same or better quality as other current power supplies. I'd even be willing to spend the extra $20-$30 for it. Heck they are supposed to last 5 years right?
But alas... i cancelled my order and got an HX1000w for $200 on sale.
Their lack of response to rectify this matter didn't help their cause in my decision.
This is really unfortunate. I had this PSU on order and cancelled it based on this review
I did a decent amount of research in coming to my conclusion to order it in the first place. Even though i may never create the circumstance that this would take place i still would not feel comfortable leaving my computer on while i am not at home.
I would gladly support a company that takes a boring little box and turns it into something that i would find next to a Strog's corpse and has the same or better quality as other current power supplies. I'd even be willing to spend the extra $20-$30 for it. Heck they are supposed to last 5 years right?
But alas... i cancelled my order and got an HX1000w for $200 on sale.
Their lack of response to rectify this matter didn't help their cause in my decision.
Finally got around to reading this.
Was wondering why the thread had 4 pages...
Tis a shame really but after reading the comments it isn't likely to get to those levels in normal use.
The problem comes though if you're say drawing 700W during some gaming or something and you get a nice juicy power surge or as Tom previously mentioned, a lightning strike. Pretty sure that could send up to those levels and beyond. If the protections aren't functioning properly at that point, then POP.
Was wondering why the thread had 4 pages...
Tis a shame really but after reading the comments it isn't likely to get to those levels in normal use.
The problem comes though if you're say drawing 700W during some gaming or something and you get a nice juicy power surge or as Tom previously mentioned, a lightning strike. Pretty sure that could send up to those levels and beyond. If the protections aren't functioning properly at that point, then POP.
Ravenheart
New member
name='tinytomlogan' said:Read all the PSU tests and we test them all the same, this is the first (pair) of PSU's we have had in that have died in this way
Regarding the XFX 850w Black Edition PSU which the above quote is aimed at, did any of you (as in tinytomlogan or Jim) manage to find out exactly what XFX had to say about this OR what they planned to do about it (if anything?) and did you or have you/are you planning on having them send you another one of these PSU's in the near future? Because I'm very concerned about this as I had to recently RMA a Corsair TX 850 watt psu despite it getting good reviews, because there was a fault with it so I decided against getting a replacement and instead went for the XFX 850 watt psu after reading some good reviews on it, and before I read the review on this site I went and purchased it (and it got to the stage where I couldn't cancel it as I chose next day delivery) it'll be here today Saturday the 7th of November, but what worries me and would have made me cancel the order is what happened in your review which you have mentioned has NEVER happened with any other PSU's you've tested.
name='tinytomlogan' said:
Question is, has it been a big enough concern to them? And I'm also wondering if they've done any testing of their own? And if they've fixed this problem?
name='tinytomlogan' said:
As above, I really hope they have fixed this problem, and I'd appreciate if someone could reply to this thread again (possibly Jim or tinytomlogan) and see if any progress might have been made, because I've paid a massive amount for this PSU (well massive for me) it cost me £145 inc delivery and I won't be happy if it's second rate goods and the OCP doesn't work as it should, say when it's lightning outside and there might be a surge
, I do have my PC connected to a surge protector but that's not the point, for such an expensive PSU I would expect it to be flawless, so what should I do now, leave it boxed up and send it straight back OR keep it and hope for the best? As I'm really sick of all the hassle of having to rma computer components/parts that don't work as they should lol.I look forward to some response
as trawling the internet I have found no other news about this PSU being 'Fixed'
We have heard nothing back from eitherside yet, I will try and get some information next week for you dude. All we know for now is it was a big concern, and XFX had decided to do their own testing with Seasonic the OEM manufacturer.
In addition to what Tom said, various sources have told me that this PSU (and indeed a lot of other single rail PSU's) do not have OCP on the +12v rail at all.
To break it down, OCP is what is often used to split the output of the 12v transformer in PSU's that have more than one rail. For example, say you have a PSU that has a single 12v transformer, but on the spec shets it says that it has 4x 12v rails all rated at 18A. This is the manufacturer using Over Current Protection to 'virtually' split that single transformer into four rails.
However, even if a PSU doesn't have OCP it will also have OPP (Over Power Protection). OPP performs a very similar function in that it is supposed to shut down the PSU before an overload occurs. The only caveat is that it is often on the primary side (mains voltage) side of the PSU and therefore isn't as accurate as OCP in measuring just how overloaded the PSU is.
So basically to summarise, the XFX 850w DOES NOT have OCP on the +12v rail AT ALL. What killed the PSU in our testing was poorly implimented OPP protection and components (schottky diode in this case) that just couldnt take the additional load.
The reason it hasn't happened to any single rail PSU's we've tested before is that they have all had more finely tuned OPP protection, better components and better OTP (Over Temperature Protection) on the components that are likely to overheat and exploded.
/takes a breath
To break it down, OCP is what is often used to split the output of the 12v transformer in PSU's that have more than one rail. For example, say you have a PSU that has a single 12v transformer, but on the spec shets it says that it has 4x 12v rails all rated at 18A. This is the manufacturer using Over Current Protection to 'virtually' split that single transformer into four rails.
However, even if a PSU doesn't have OCP it will also have OPP (Over Power Protection). OPP performs a very similar function in that it is supposed to shut down the PSU before an overload occurs. The only caveat is that it is often on the primary side (mains voltage) side of the PSU and therefore isn't as accurate as OCP in measuring just how overloaded the PSU is.
So basically to summarise, the XFX 850w DOES NOT have OCP on the +12v rail AT ALL. What killed the PSU in our testing was poorly implimented OPP protection and components (schottky diode in this case) that just couldnt take the additional load.
The reason it hasn't happened to any single rail PSU's we've tested before is that they have all had more finely tuned OPP protection, better components and better OTP (Over Temperature Protection) on the components that are likely to overheat and exploded.
/takes a breath
Ravenheart
New member
So what would you recommend I do on a professional level? Send the XFX back to ebuyer for a full refund and try to find a psu that's more stable or will it actually be okay, as in how likely is it I would have a MAJOR problem if it was thundering/lightning outside if the protection is a bit shoddy!
And is there even a chance it's been fixed at all??
And I appreciate you saying you'll try to find out more info for me hope they get in touch soon.
And is there even a chance it's been fixed at all??
And I appreciate you saying you'll try to find out more info for me
hope they get in touch soon.name='Ravenheart' said:So what would you recommend I do on a professional level? Send the XFX back to ebuyer for a full refund and try to find a psu that's more stable or will it actually be okay, as in how likely is it I would have a MAJOR problem if it was thundering/lightning outside if the protection is a bit shoddy!
And is there even a chance it's been fixed at all??
And I appreciate you saying you'll try to find out more info for me
A lightning strike doesn't really come into the equation with the problems we highlighted. Any surge via your mains should be stopped by your house breakers (and if you have an expensive PC - I hope you've also got a surge protector too!). OCP/OPP can't save you here.
The only time that using the XFX PSU could _potentially_ be harmful to your PC is if you run it above 850w. So for example in 6 months if you decide to go Tri-SLI without thinking about the max output of your PSU, this is when you could be at risk.
