Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W Power Supply Review
Reviewed by: paulktreg
Reviewed on: October 14, 2010
Price: $173.99
Introduction:
Thermaltake, founded in 1999, are now a major global supplier of computer accessories with offices worldwide. Their product line is now extensive and includes PC enclosures, desktop and server power supplies, CPU coolers, HDD enclosures and docking stations, cables, DC cooling fans and gaming accessories.
Their power supply range is extensive from the Litepower and EVO Blue series to the Toughpower, Toughpower XT and Toughpower Grand series.
The Toughpower Grand series of power supplies is designed to meet the requirements of the extreme PC enthusiast and includes a modular cabling system, 80 Plus Gold certification and a rated operating temperature of 50°C making it “the Toughest power supply on the block”. The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand is available in only two varieties, a 650W and 750W model and this time around OCC will be having a look at the latter.
Closer Look:
The packaging of the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W is predominantly satin black with coloured illustrations used to good effect. The top face of the box carries a photograph of the power supply with the Thermaltake logo in the top left hand corner and a cardboard sash giving the power supply wattage with small pictograms to illustrate the power supplies seven year warranty, eco-friendly features and 80 Plus Gold certification. The bottom of the box provides all the interesting stuff which includes the specification table, connector types and quantities, a short sentence with photograph to illustrate the main features and agency approval logos.
The front, rear and side panels carry the Thermaltake logo and Toughpower Grand trademark.
The top face of the box lifts like the page of a book and gives further information on the main features including Auto FanDelayCool, the use of high quality components and DC to DC convertors, dual ball bearing fan, AC push button and finally the inclusion of vibration absorbent gaskets.
The power supply is contained in a satin black box within the box that carries the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand trademark at its center.
Lift the lid and the user manual sits on top of the foam enclosed power supply with the captive and modular cables and a bag of Velcro cable straps stored neatly down the side. The top foam cover lifts off to reveal the black felt drawstring bag enclosed power supply.
The bag covered power supply along with full box contents which includes a black modular cable pouch, cardboard box enclosed power cord, cable ties, user manual and a small black drawstring bag whose contents will be explained latter. I neglected to show were the small black bag is stored but for your information it actually sits in a small cut-out in the foam underneath the user manual.
The packaging of the power supply is up to Thermaltake's usual high standard - it protects the unit during transit and includes a great set of accessories so let’s move on and have a closer look.
Closer Look:
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W power supply with its rounded corners, red strip and slightly textured matt black paint finish certainly looks the part.
The rear of the power supply with its honeycombed holed exhaust grill, mains IEC input connector and red push-type mains on/off switch that you don’t see too often on a power supply. The little grey rectangle in the center, although I haven’t actually fired up the power supply, is I think a small back-lit panel that will light up and show the word Thermaltake when running. I’ll show a photograph later. The modular cable connectors are mounted on the rear face, red for PCI-E and black for peripheral. The cables are sleeved all the way into the power supply but I have to say the quality of the workmanship isn’t very good here with the yellow wires clearly visible and the sleeving too far back.
Not much to see on either side apart from the red stripe that circles the unit.
The specification label is attached to the bottom face and the 140mm cooling fan can be seen on the opposite face with a shield shaped Thermaltake logo at its center.
The captive cable set is minimal with the 20+4 pin motherboard connector and two EPS12V 8 pin connectors, one of which splits to make a 4+4 pin ATX12V connector should it be required. The modular cable set will provide more than enough connectors for most builds and includes two PCI-E 8 pin to 6 pin adapters and a 4 pin ATX12V extension cable should they be required.
I had to include this photograph of the modular cable storage pouch and the damaged caused by just breathing on it; not very well made, this one!
I mentioned the small drawstring bag on the previous page. It actually contains two self adhesive anti-vibration mounts, a Thermaltake case badge and a set of four, what I presume are cable clamps that could prove useful when tidying up the installation.
The cooling fan is a 140mm Yen Sun Tech manufactured Thermaltake TT-1425 rated at 12VDC, 0.54A bearing the model number YD121425HB. A clear plastic shaped baffle has been installed immediately behind the fan to no doubt divert the airflow to where it’s most needed. The layout of the printed circuit board is compact but it’s to be expected when a high quality power supply needs to fit a standard ATX case.
High quality Japanese Nippon ChemiCon 105°C rated electrolytic capacitors have, from what I can see, been used throughout with some solid state devices used on the two DC to DC convertors.
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W is, like all the Thermaltake power supplies I have tested, packed very well and comes with a good set of accessories. The build quality is overall pretty good, but the cable sleeving could have been executed a little better and I was a little disappointed with the modular cable pouch falling to bits. Minor complaints maybe, so let’s move on and have a look at the technical stuff and see how well it performs.
Specification:
Review Sample: Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W Power Supply, Part Number TPG-750MCUS.
Ratings Table:
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Power Supply Specification Table
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|||||
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AC Input
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100 - 240V 47-63Hz
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||||
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DC Output
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+3V3
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+5V
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+12V
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-12V
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+5VSB
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Maximum Load
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25A
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25A
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60A
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0.8A
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3A
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Maximum Combined
Wattage
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150W
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720W
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9.6W
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15W
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750W
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|||||
System Protection:
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Power Supply System Protection
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Over Power Protection
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Protection at 110% ~ 150% full load
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Over Voltage Protection
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Voltage Source
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Protection Point
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+3.3V
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4.5V Max
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+5V
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7.0V Max
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+12V
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15.6V Max
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Short Protection
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All output to ground
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Over Current Protection
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+3.3V
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48A Max
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+5V
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48A Max
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+12V
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90A Max
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Under Voltage Protection
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+3.3V
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2.0V ~ 2.4V
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+5V
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3.3V ~ 3.7V
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+12V
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8.5V ~ 9.5V
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Safety & Agency Approvals:
FCC, CISPR 22, BSMI, UL/CUL, TUV, CB, CE & GOST.
Power Supply Physical Characteristics:
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Power Supply Physical Characteristics
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Weight
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Length
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Width
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Height
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5.5lbs/2.5kg
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7.1in/180mm
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5.9in/150mm
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3.4in/86mm
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Power Supply Connectors:
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Power Supply Connectors
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Connector Type
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Qty
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Motherboard 24 Pin
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1
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ATX12V/EPS12V 4+4 Pin
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1
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EPS12V 8 Pin
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1
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PCI-E 6 Pin
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2
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PCI-E 8 Pin
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2
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SATA Power 15 Pin
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8
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Peripheral 4 Pin
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8
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FDD 4 Pin
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1
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Power Supply Cable Lengths:
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Power Supply Cable Set
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||
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Cable Type
|
Cable Length/Connector Spacing’s
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Qty
|
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Captive
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PSU > 22" > Motherboard 24 Pin
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1
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Captive
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PSU > 22" > ATX12V/EPS12V 4+4 Pin
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1
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Captive
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PSU > 22" > EPS12V 8 Pin
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1
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Modular
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PSU > 22" > PCI-E 6 Pin
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2 |
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Modular
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PSU > 22" > PCI-E 8 Pin
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2
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Modular
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PSU > 22" > SATA > 6" > SATA > 6" > SATA > 6" > SATA
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2
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Modular
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PSU > 22" > Periph. > 6" > Periph. > 6" > Periph. > 6" > Peripheral
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1
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Modular
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PSU > 22" > Periph. > 6" > Periph. > 6" > Periph. > 6" > Peripheral > 6" > FDD
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1
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Adapter
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PCI-E 8 Pin > 6" > PCI-E 6" Pin
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2
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Adapter
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ATX12V 4 Pin Male > 6" > ATX12V 4 Pin Female Extension
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1
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Features:
Exactly as printed in the user manual.
- 80 PLUS GOLD certified - provide up to 90% effective power conversion to cut-down electric cost.
- All 105°C Japanese made capacitors - the foundation of a robust and reliable power source even under the harshest operating environment.
- Solid capacitors not only last longer than electrolytic capacitors but also offer excellent durability and reliability.
- Newly designed PFC circuitry - provides higher efficiency during low voltage input.
- Double-forward switching circuitry - Compared with traditional circuitry, double forward switching offers low power loss and high reliability. By using PFC + PWM control IC and related patent technology, Toughpower Grand is able to reach high energy efficiency rates at all the different loading.
- Through the use of special materials, the vibration absorbent gaskets can be te optimal buffer against vibrating noises and are easy to install.
- Fan-Delay Cool Technology - allows fan to continue to operate (around 15 sec) after system shuts-down to ensure all components are properly cooled.
- Proprietary two ball bearing 140mm fan enables longer lifespan and lowers overall noise output by dramatically reducing bearing frictions.
- Pure aesthetic design with uncompromising performance.
- Unparalleled DC to DC converters for 3.3V and 5V outputs to reach high efficiency.
- Modular Cable Management: improves internal airflow and reduces system clutter.
- Compliant with Intel ATX 12V 2.3 & SSI EPS 12V 2.91 standards.
- Supports dual 8-pin PCI-E & dual 6-pin PCI-E connectors for next generation graphics cards.
- Guaranteed to deliver stable continuous output at 50°C environment.
- Universal AC input 100V ~ 240V and Active PFC (PF value up to 99%).
- DIMENSION: 5.9"(W) x 3.4"(H) x 7.1"(L); 150mm(W) x 86mm(H) x 180mm(L).
Testing:
For more information on how we test our power supplies, please browse our testing methodology.
Electrical Safety:
|
Electrical Safety Test Class 1
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Manufacturer/Model
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Pass/Fail
|
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W
|
Pass
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Short Circuit Protection:
I short circuited the 3V3, 5V0 and the 12V rail in turn. The power supply did shut down, and once the short was removed and the unit switched off for at least one second, resumed normal operation. Although listed here at the beginning of the testing section, I tend to leave this test until the very end, in case it doesn't quite go to plan.
DC Output Voltage Load Regulation:
Mains Input Voltage 110VAC
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
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Supply = 110VAC/50Hz
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PSU DC Rail
|
Measured Voltage(V)
|
|
3V3
|
3.34
|
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5V0
|
5.07
|
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+12V
|
12.20
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-12V
|
12.37
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5VSB
|
5.07
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Total PSU DC Loading = 0W (0% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
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Supply = 110VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
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PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
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Rail Loading Watts (W)
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Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
3.20
|
10.62
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3.32
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3.135 – 3.465
|
Pass
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+5V
|
4.86
|
24.54
|
5.05
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
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+12V
|
10.31
|
125.57
|
12.18
|
11. – 12.6
|
Pass
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-12V
|
0.34
|
3.98
|
11.72
|
10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
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+5VSB
|
2.06
|
10.16
|
4.93
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
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Total PSU DC Loading = 175W (23% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
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Supply = 110VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
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PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
|
Rail Loading Watts (W)
|
Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
8.45
|
27.80
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3.29
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3.135 – 3.465
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Pass
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+5V
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4.80
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24.00
|
5.00
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4.75 – 5.25
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Pass
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+12V
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26.91
|
326.42
|
12.13
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11. – 12.6
|
Pass
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-12V
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0.35
|
4.14
|
11.83
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10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
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|
+5VSB
|
2.03
|
9.27
|
4.89
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
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|
Total PSU DC Loading = 392W (52% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
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Supply = 110VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
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PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
|
Rail Loading Watts (W)
|
Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
8.40
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27.64
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3.29
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3.135 – 3.465
|
Pass
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|
+5V
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9.89
|
49.45
|
5.00
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
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|
+12V
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56.89
|
690.07
|
12.13
|
11. – 12.6
|
Pass
|
|
-12V
|
0.35
|
4.23
|
12.08
|
10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
|
|
+5VSB
|
2.11
|
10.34
|
4.90
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
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|
Total PSU DC Loading = 782W (104% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
Mains Input Voltage 230VAC
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
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Supply = 230VAC/50Hz
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PSU DC Rail
|
Measured Voltage(V)
|
|
3V3
|
3.34
|
|
5V0
|
5.07
|
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+12V
|
12.21
|
|
-12V
|
12.33
|
|
5VSB
|
5.07
|
|
Total PSU DC Loading = 0W (0% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
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Supply = 230VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
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PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
|
Rail Loading Watts (W)
|
Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
3.16
|
10.49
|
3.32
|
3.135 – 3.465
|
Pass
|
|
+5V
|
4.80
|
24.24
|
5.05
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
+12V
|
10.24
|
124.72
|
12.18
|
11. – 12.6
|
Pass
|
|
-12V
|
0.35
|
4.14
|
11.83
|
10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
|
|
+5VSB
|
2.03
|
9.95
|
4.90
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
Total PSU DC Loading = 174W (23% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
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Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
|
Supply = 230VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
|
PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
|
Rail Loading Watts (W)
|
Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
8.48
|
27.90
|
3.29
|
3.135 – 3.465
|
Pass
|
|
+5V
|
4.82
|
24.10
|
5.00
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
+12V
|
26.90
|
326.3
|
12.13
|
11. – 12.6
|
Pass
|
|
-12V
|
0.35
|
4.18
|
11.95
|
10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
|
|
+5VSB
|
2.13
|
10.44
|
4.90
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
Total PSU DC Loading = 393W (52% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
|
|||||
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Supply = 230VAC/50Hz
|
|||||
|
PSU
DC Rail
|
Rail Loading Amps (A)
|
Rail Loading Watts (W)
|
Measured Voltage (V)
|
ATX12V V2.2 Limits (V)
|
Pass/Fail
|
|
+3V3
|
8.35
|
27.34
|
3.28
|
3.135 – 3.465
|
Pass
|
|
+5V
|
9.85
|
49.25
|
5.00
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
+12V
|
57.15
|
693.23
|
12.13
|
11. – 12.6
|
Pass
|
|
-12V
|
0.35
|
4.23
|
12.09
|
10.8 – 13.2
|
Pass
|
|
+5VSB
|
2.13
|
10.39
|
4.88
|
4.75 – 5.25
|
Pass
|
|
Total PSU DC Loading = 784W (104% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
|
|||||
An excellent set of results in this section for the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W power supply. The rails held up very well from zero to full load and beyond. No problems here so let's move on.
Testing:
Efficiency and Power Factor:
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W didn't quite meet the requirements of its claimed 80 Plus Gold certification following the OCC power supply testing methodology. The test protocols for 80 Plus are very rigid and because of some limitations in my test kit I can't maintain the mains input voltage at exactly 115VAC or load the rails to the precise levels required by the 80 Plus test specification but the results are as good, and in some cases better, than other power supplies I have tested in this class.
The results with a 230VAC mains supply show a slight improvement over the 110VAC results but this is usually the case. The results overall are still impressive with a maximum efficiency of 90% and power factor levels over 0.9 at 20% DC loading and above at all times.
AC Ripple On DC Outputs:
I have consistently found the AC ripple levels on the DC rails to be more or less equal with a 110VAC or 230VAC mains supply. The results given below are for 230VAC only but I will continue to check the levels at 110VAC during testing and publish them below if there are any significant differences.
AC ripple/noise on the +3V3 rail at 230VAC
Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 5uS/div
AC ripple/noise on the +5V0 rail at 230VAC
Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 5uS/div
AC ripple/noise on the +12V rail at 230VAC
Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 5uS/div
AC ripple/noise on the -12V rail at 230VAC
Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 5uS/div
AC ripple/noise on the +5VSB rail at 230VAC
Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 5uS/div
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) AC Ripple/Noise
|
|||||
|
Supply = 230VAC/50Hz DC Loading = 784W
|
|||||
|
DC Rail
|
+3V3
|
+5V0
|
+12V
|
-12V0
|
+5VSB
|
|
ATX12 Max (mV p-p)
|
50
|
50
|
120
|
120
|
50
|
|
Ripple (mV p-p)
|
45
|
50
|
40
|
70
|
35
|
|
Pass/Fail
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
Pass
|
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W produced noise levels that were at times borderline and a little higher than I would like to see in a power supply of this pedigree, with the levels on the 3V3 and 5V0 rail almost breaching the ATX12V V2.2 maximum allowable level of 50mV. The 12V rail performed a little better with only 40mV, well below the maximum allowable of 120mV but still higher than some power supplies in this class. Noisier than other power supplies in its class but just low enough to meet the ATX12V V2.2 specification.
Testing:
Temperature, Noise Levels and Fan Speeds:
I am not going to give a pass or fail in this section, as the ATX12V V2.2 does not really have any references on which to base a decision.
Temperatures are purely for information only, as there are too many variables involved when installed in a case, which, by the way, it wasn't. Ambient temperature, processor cooling efficiency and case cooling fans all play their part on the temperature of the air entering the power supply, and consequently the temperature of the air leaving it. No valid conclusions can be made from this test.
|
Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W (TPG-750MCUS) Temperature & Fan Speeds
|
||||
|
Supply = 110VAC/230VAC
|
||||
|
DC Loading(W)
|
Temp In (°C)
|
Temp Out (°C)
|
Δ Temp (°C)
|
Fan Speed (RPM)
|
|
0
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
759/757
|
|
175/174
|
20.4/20.3
|
25.8/28.1
|
5.4/7.8
|
744/745
|
|
392/393
|
20.4/20.4
|
29.1/29.4
|
8.7/9.0
|
741/744
|
|
782/784
|
21.1/21.2
|
44.3/42.5
|
23.2/21.3
|
1031/1024
|
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W remained very quiet throughout testing due to a relatively low maximum fan speed of only 1031 RPM at full load. The cooling fan was very slow to respond during testing and at one point I thought it was never going to ramp up at full load and when it did, it only attained a relatively low speed of 1031 RPM which goes a long way to explaining, what are, higher temperatures than I see on most other power supplies in this class. Cool and quiet at 400W loading, very quiet at full load but a little on the warm side.
Perhaps this photograph isn't in the right section but I had to include it somewhere. The photograph below shows the rear of the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W power supply in the dark. The mains on/off switch used on the Grand power supply is unusual in that it is an illuminated push switch which lights up when the mains is connected and the switch is pushed into the on position. Do you remember the small panel I mentioned? When the power supply is activated via the PC on/off switch a small red back-lit panel is switched on which reveals the word Thermaltake on the rear of the power supply. It isn't very bright and the room lighting needs to be very subdued to make it, and the red glow inside the power supply, stand out.
Conclusion:
Price Per the Watt:
Power Supply Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W at $173.99 = $0.23/Watt (10-2010)
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W power supply certainly looks the part and comes well packaged with a great set of accessories. The inclusion of Velcro cable wraps and the plastic snap-on cable ties should make cable management a little easier and installation of the two anti-vibration mounts may ease the noise. The build quality is on the whole of a good standard, but the cable sleeving on the captive cables is a little untidy and the stitching of the modular cable bag left a little to be desired.
The DC voltage load regulation is excellent but it is let down by what I would consider high noise/ripple levels on most of the rails, although they still met the requirements of the ATX12V V2.2 specification. It should however be noted that the measured ripple/noise levels were taken at 104% DC loading, effectively an overload, but I'm fairly certain there would be little if no difference at 100%. The efficiency of the Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W is up there with the best and will certainly save a few pennies on the utility bills.
The Thermaltake Toughpower Grand 750W is a capable power supply let down by a couple of what are really minor problems, but the enthusiast power supply market is very competitive and the little things make a difference. There's no reason not to buy this power supply, as it will certainly do the job, but there are equally capable power supplies with better performance for less of your hard earned money.
Pros:
- DC voltage load regulation
- 80 Plus Gold
- Plenty of connectors
- Accessories
- Quiet
Cons:
- Borderline ripple/noise levels