Introduction

We would like to thank Scythe for supplying the review sample.

Most of you will wonder why Scythe chose such a strange product name for their new PSU series. Well, Scythe is a Japanese company so Chouriki (超力) is translated to "Super Power", in English a very appropriate name for a PSU, don't you think? The Chouriki 2 PSUs are classified into two sub-categories, the plain Chouriki 2 units that use a non-modular cabling design and the Chouriki 2 Plug-In that utilize a semi-modular design. Today we will test the Chouriki 2 850W Plug-In (SPCR2-850P here after).

The SPCR2-850P is 80 Plus Silver certified, equipped with a Scythe Kama FLEX fan with 1300 max RPM and 20.9 dBA noise output at this speed, has four PCIe connectors and unfortunately only one EPS connector and finally is backed up by five years warranty. Its look is extraordinary since it features a brushed metal finish which, will be either loved or hated by the users. Without a doubt one of the strongest points of this unit is its cooling fan, which thanks to the S-FDB bearing it uses, delivers silent operation along with long life (120,000 hours MTBF at 25°C).

Specifications

The Kama FLEX fan is almost inaudible even at full RPMs, since it outputs only 20.9 dBA. Also all protections are available, even the relatively rare OTP. Finally, even if the full set of protections is not reassuring enough for you then we bet that the five year warranty will do the trick.


We were really amazed by the huge power that 5VSB can deliver. Six whole Amperes are at your disposal. To the best of our knowledge this is the only PSU with under 1000 W capacity that has such a strong 5VSB rail.

The full power of the unit can be delivered to +12V alone, if needed. Also there are two +12V rails with unequal power distribution among them, the first one is far more powerful than the second and we wonder why the manufacturer bothered to separate +12V into two rails and didn't just leave them combined. With 65A max on 12V1 it really makes no sense to have two rails since OCP is useless on the high Amperage rail. If a short happens, the wires will melt and OCP will not even be triggered.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

The native cables have sufficient length, although additional 100 mm length at each cable would be most welcome, especially if the unit is to be installed in a huge case. The modular PCIe cables are a little short, with only 450 mm length. Another 150 mm would be ideal here. Thankfully the distance among the SATA & peripheral connectors is the right one, according to ATX spec.

Unfortunately there is only one EPS connector. In a 850W unit we expected an additional one.


Power distribution is optimal since the EPS connector is on a separate rail from the PCIe connectors. The latter are powered by 12V1, which also feeds the peripheral and SATA connectors. With only two rails, unavoidably the PCIe connectors would share the same output with some other connectors.