Xigmatek NRP-PC402 400W Review

paulktreg - 2009-06-21 16:25:03 in Power Supplies
Category: Power Supplies
Reviewed by: paulktreg   
Reviewed on: July 13, 2009
Price: EST.$70.00 USD

Introduction:

By now, most members of OCC should appreciate the importance of using a good quality power supply. Low end generics certainly have their uses and most will safely power a basic office/internet PC for years, but as far as the computer enthusiast is concerned ,that's really where their usefulness should end. Low end generic power supplies usually lack one or all of the following features:

Why risk hundreds of dollars worth of high end hardware by installing a poor quality generic power supply? You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars on a power supply and a little time spent on Google can pay dividends. There are numerous power supplies of acceptable quality at or around fifty to sixty dollars and many sites have frequent special offers and "deal of the day" promotions; you just have to find them!

A good quality power supply is essential. It will cost less to run, not to mention provide the good quality, stable rails needed for today's high end gaming and overclocked rigs.

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 can be had for as little as £40.00 in the UK. So is it a high-priced "generic" or a good quality, entry level power supply? That's what we're here to find out.

Xigmatek Co Ltd was founded in 2005, making them relatively new to the market, with its R&D based in Germany and manufacturing in China. Specializing in cooling solutions, the company also offer a range of computer power supplies aimed at the enthusiast. This time, I am going to take a look at the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 400W "green" power supply and see how it performs.

"NRP-PC402, the latest Xigmatek high efficiency and eco-friendly power supply not only boots up your PC but makes efforts for our mother Earth. NRP-PC402 is the first Xigmatek 80Plus Bronze certified power supply up to 85% AC-DC switching efficiency with 0.99 active PF rate but we do more than other 80Plus PSU because we use recycled materials for our retail package to avoid felling any tree. If you use NRP-PC402 in your system, you can reduce energy waste, thermal release, your wallet, and CO2 emission, save trees for our Earth. When you are playing games, surfing internet, watching videos, you are saving our green world for your kids. "

Closer Look:

No glossy photographs or colorful graphics adorn on this box, and to keep with the "green" theme, the packaging is made from 100% recycled paper. The top of the box further emphasizes this theme by showing a power supply with a forest growing out of it. The 80 Plus Bronze logo is there, along with icons to illustrate the safety and power supply features. The base of the box tells us how much energy/money you can save by installing this power supply when compared against a power supply of 75% efficiency, along with an illustration of the connectors and cable lengths.

 

 

The front panel of the box gives a full list of the features and the opposite face shows graphs of percentage loading against noise to illustrate the quietness of the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 power supply.

 

 

This box is also used for the 500W version of this power supply, which explains why the specification table for both power supplies is shown on the side panel. The opposite side panel carries a photograph of the power supply along with serial and model number information and barcodes.

 

 

Upon opening the box, you'll find a thin sheet of foam on the top and bottom that protect the power supply, which is neatly enclosed in its own black cloth, drawstring bag. The power cord and mounting screws are contained in their own box and all the cables are neatly wrapped with a Velcro strap and stored down the side of the power supply. You'll also find a warranty card and basic user manual.

 

 

 

 

Basic, but adequately packaged power supply. Let's move on and have a closer look.

 

Closer Look:

 The Xigmatek NRP-PC402, although basic, is a well-built unit using quality materials and all finished off with a grey metallic paint job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like many power supplies, the back panel has a honeycombed exhaust grill, IEC mains input and on/off switch. The front of the power supply showing the cable outlet and an extra set of exhaust outlets, which may be an unwelcome feature for some users because of their tendency to introduce warm air back into the PC case.

 

 

One side is blank and the other carries a label bearing the specification and agency approvals.

 

 

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 uses a large 140mm cooling fan, which is unusual for a power supply in the 400W class. As such, it should help keep the unit cool and quiet.

 

 

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 cables are hard wired, as can be seen in the photograph. Unlike many power supplies, the cable sleeving goes all the way into the unit, which makes for a more professional looking finish.

 

The cooling fan, manufactured by Fan Young Lin Tech Co Ltd, model number DFS132512H, is a 12V DC 3.0W brushless type. The printed circuit board is tidy and well laid out with plenty of room to allow for good airflow, and hence more efficient cooling. The heatsinks aren't very heavy for a 400W unit, so perhaps the efficiency is as good as claimed, leading to lower heat losses in the power supply. The electrolytic capacitors, at least the ones I can see, are by Teapo with a temperature rating of 105°C. The printed circuit board is marked HEC-550TE-2WX, which leads me to believe this is the same board used in the Compucase HEC-400TE Green Earth and some Netzteil power supplies.

 

 

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 400W power supply is a well made unit with a basic set of accessories, so let's move on and have a look at the specification and features.

 

Specification:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratings Table:

 

Electrical Specification
AC Input
100V~240V     8A/5A    47Hz~63Hz
DC Output
+3.3V
+5V
+12V1
+12V2
-12V
+5VSB
Max Output Current
24A
15A
20A
20A
0.3A
2.5A
Max Combined Wattage
120W
384W(32A)
3.6W
12.5W
400W

 

System Protection:

 

Over Current Protection
Not over 240VA for every output voltage
Over Voltage Protection
DC Rail
Trigger Point
+3V3
4.5V Max
+5V
7.0V Max
+12V
15.6V Max
Short Circuit Protection
All output to ground

 

Safety & Agency Approvals:

 

CE, FCC, TUV, UL and RoHS compliant.

 

Power Supply Weight:

 

Power Supply Weight
Manufacturer/Model
Weight
Xigmatek NRP-PC402
2.0kg
4.4lbs

 

Power Supply Connectors:

 

Power Supply Connectors
20+4 Pin Motherboard
Hard Wired
1
4+4 Pin ATX12V/EPS 12V
Hard Wired
1
4 Pin Peripheral
Hard Wired
6
SATA Power
Hard Wired
4
FDD 4 Pin
Hard Wired
2
PCI-E 6 Pin
Hard Wired
1

 

Power Supply Cable Lengths:

 

Power Supply Cable Lengths
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > 20+4 Pin Motherboard
1
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > 4+4 Pin ATX12V/EPS 12V
1
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > Peripheral > 6” > Peripheral > 6” > Peripheral > 6” > FDD
2
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > SATA > 6” > SATA > 6” > SATA > 6” > SATA
1
Hard Wired
PSU > 18” > PCI-E 6 Pin
1

 

Features:

 

Exactly as printed on the box.

 

 

Testing:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information on how we test our power supplies, please browse our testing methodology.

Electrical Safety:

 

Electrical Safety Test Class 1
Manufacturer/Model
Pass/Fail
Xigmatek NRP-PC402
Pass

 

Short Circuit Protection:

I short circuited the 3V3, 5V0 and both 12V lines 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

 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 110V / DC Load = 0W
PSU DC Rail
Measured Voltage(V)
3V3
3.36
5V0
4.98
12V1
12.09
12V2
12.09
-12V
-11.71
5VSB
5.00

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 110V / DC Load = 110W (27% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.37
3.13
10.55
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.94
4.54
22.43
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.21
2.57
31.38
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.21
2.58
31.50
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.42
0.34
3.88
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.98
2.02
10.06
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
110W
 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 110V / DC Load = 216W (54% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.36
7.79
26.78
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.90
8.46
41.45
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.34
2.60
32.08
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.31
8.24
101.43
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.61
0.35
4.06
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.98
2.02
10.06
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
216W
 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 110V / DC Load = 406W (101% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.36
12.13
40.76
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.88
12.73
62.12
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.38
11.63
143.98
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.37
11.73
145.10
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.86
0.36
4.27
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.97
2.02
10.04
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
406W
 

 

Mains Input Voltage 230VAC

 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 230V / DC Load = 0W
PSU DC Rail
Measured Voltage(V)
3V3
3.36
5V0
4.98
12V1
12.09
12V2
12.09
-12V
-11.71
5VSB
5.05

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 230V / DC Load = 110W (27% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.37
3.14
10.55
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.94
4.49
22.18
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.21
2.57
31.38
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.21
2.58
31.50
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.43
0.34
3.88
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.98
2.02
10.06
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
110W
 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 230V / DC Load = 217W (54% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.36
7.99
26.85
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.89
8.63
42.20
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.32
2.60
32.03
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.35
8.26
102.01
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.62
0.35
4.07
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.98
2.02
10.06
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
217W
 

 

DC Output Voltage Load Regulation
AC Supply = 110V / DC Load = 401W (100% of Rated Maximum Output Power)
PSU
DC Line
Measured
Voltage(V)
Measured
Current (A)
Load Power
(W)
ATX12V V Limits
(V)
Pass/Fail
+3V3
3.36
11.99
40.29
3.135 – 3.465
Pass
+5V0
4.89
12.36
60.44
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
+12V0(1)
12.35
11.52
142.27
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
+12V0(2)
12.34
11.66
143.88
11.4 – 12.6
Pass
-12V0
11.85
0.36
4.26
10.8 – 13.2
Pass
+5VSB
4.97
2.02
10.04
4.75 – 5.25
Pass
TOTAL POWER SUPPLY DC LOAD =
401W
 

 

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 managed to maintain its rails within the limits set by the ATX12V V2.2 specification at all load levels. No problems here, so let's move on.

 

Testing (Continued):

Efficiency and Power Factor:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Output & Efficiency @ 110VAC
DC Load (W)
AC Load (W)
PF
Efficiency (%)
Pass/Fail
0
0.6
0.58
N/A
N/A
110
132
0.99
83
Pass
216
257
0.99
84
Pass
406
493
0.99
82
Pass

 

Output & Efficiency @ 230VAC
DC Load (W)
AC Load (W)
PF
Efficiency (%)
Pass/Fail
0
6
0.21
N/A
N/A
110
130
0.94
85
Pass
217
252
0.95
86
Pass
401
477
0.97
84
Pass

 

In order to meet the requirements of the 80 Plus Bronze standard, the power supply must run with a power factor of 0.9 at 50% loading and an efficiency of 82% at 20%, 85% at 50% and 82% at 100% loading. All 80 Plus testing is done at 115VAC and 60Hz, probably due to the fact that it is a USA-based organization and all power supplies I have tested at 115VAC/60Hz will usually result in a pass at 230VAC/50Hz.

The Xigmatek doesn't quite make the mark following the OCC testing methodology, but it's pretty close, missing by just one percent at 216W loading and 110VAC. But it's possible that if I could have loaded at exactly 200W and powered from a 115VAC source, it may have passed. Putting its claimed 80 Plus Bronze certification aside, these results are still very good.

 

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 they differ in any way.

 

AC Ripple On 3V3 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC Ripple On 5V0 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 10mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC Ripple On 12V1 Rail at 230VAC

Oscilloscope settings: Amplitude = 50mv/div, Timebase = 10uS/div

 

AC Ripple/Noise
 
DC Rail
+3V3
+5V0
+12V
-12V0
+5VSB
Ripple (mV p-p) 60
 70
 180 200
70

 

The DC quality of the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 could be better, as it had higher than permitted levels on all the rails according to the ATX12V V2.2 specification (3V3=50mV, 5V0=50mV, +12V=120mV, -12V=120mV and +5VSB=50mV).

 

Testing(Continued):

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.

 

 

 

Temperature & Fan Speeds
DC Loading
Temp In (°C)
Temp Out (°C)
Δ Temp (°C)
Fan Speed (RPM)
0W
Not Tested
Not Tested
N/A
994
110W
23.1
27.5
4.4
1027
216W
23.7
30.6
6.9
1065
406W
23.5
33.2
9.7
1255

 

 

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 remained cool and quiet throughout testing, but it wasn't installed in a case, so please take this into account. I have included the graph on the side of the box for reference. 1600RPM at 100% loading is probably a more realistic figure, but even at this speed, it will be quieter than most power supplies in this class, helped no doubt by the high efficiency.

 

Conclusion:

Environmental Factors:

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 goes out of its way to push its green credentials. Its relatively plain packaging using recycled materials and the high efficiency of the unit itself go some way to saving the planet, and the manufacturer explains why on the underside of the box. The NRP-PC402 at 200W loading will require 235W of input power and hence waste 35W as heat. A typical 75% efficient power supply, it goes on to explain, will require 267W of input power for the same 200W output and waste 67W as heat. Furthermore, if you use the NRP-PC402 instead of a typical 75% efficient power supply for two hours per day, you will save 23360W in a year, reduce 14.6kg C02 release, and save 1.26 forty year old trees. Many other high end power supplies could make the same claims, but at least Xigmatek are trying to bring it to our attention, which is commendable. However, environmentally unfriendly foam inserts to protect the power supply are used once again; why has nobody come up with a viable green alternative? And is the drawstring bag really necessary?

 

 

Price Per Watt:

Power Supply: Xigmatek NRP-PC402 400W at $70.00 = $0.18/Watt (July 2009)
(At the time of writing this review, I could not find a price for the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 in the USA, so the price given above is a conversion based on £41.00GBP and $90.80AUS).

I could only find this power supply available in Europe and Australia with no USA suppliers, but I'm sure this will change. Xigmatek are probably better known for its quality processor coolers that usually end up performing only marginally poorer than their much more expensive counterparts and this power supply follows in the same tradition. The performance of the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 was pretty good, but when the UK price tag of only £40.00 is taken into account, it's certainly well worth your consideration. It easily maintained the rails at the required voltage up to its rated 400W loading and the efficiency was excellent (although, following the OCC testing methodology, it just fell short of the 80 Plus Bronze mark). The ripple/noise levels are a little disappointing, but won't prove a problem when installed in a system with a good quality motherboard.

The Xigmatek NRP-PC402 power supply isn't going to appeal to the heavy gamer or overclocker, mainly due to the 400W rating, single 6-pin PCI-E connector, which severely limits the range of graphics card that can be used on this power supply, and the fact that some exhaust air is introduced back into the case. I am not a big fan of dual 4-pin molex to 6-pin PCI-E adapters used to supply power to a video card when 6-pin PCIe connections are not included as part of the cabling. Even with that said I have no doubt it could power a single 8000 or 9000 series graphics card in a basic gaming system without any problems.

I would have to class the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 400W power supply in the entry level class, but don't take that the wrong way as it certainly performed far in excess of any generic unit. As such, it may be better to look at this power supply as a computer enthusiast's entry level unit. All in all it's not a bad power supply, at a fair price, that would go nicely with a low end gaming or folding rig running a single 9600, an office/internet PC, or perhaps a Home Theatre/Media Centre PC. If you are in the market for a 400W power supply, then it's certainly worth your consideration. The DC voltage load regulation is excellent, efficiency still at basic 80 Plus levels, and noise/ripple, although a little higher than I would like to see, still not high enough to cause problems. I think the Xigmatek NRP-PC402 still deserves an award based on its price/performance ratio and for that reason I think an OCC Bronze award is well deserved.

 

Pros:

 

Cons: