Introduction

We would like to thank Super Flower for supplying the review sample.

Super Flower hit the jackpot with their new Leadex units since many companies chose this platform for their high-end series (e.g. Antec, Be Quiet!, and EVGA). SF is deservedly gaining popularity as time goes on because their products are of high quality and deliver stunning performance. Covering most market segments, the Leadex Gold family consists of five members with capacities ranging from 650 W to 1300 W, and all feature a fully modular cabling design with crystal-clear cube connectors which are LED lit, have a single +12V rail, and are 80 Plus Gold certified. They also feature a semi-passive operation with the option to operate normally by flipping a switch at the front.

The popularity of Bitcoin mining has lately driven many users toward utilizing multiple high-end VGAs, which has also increased the need and popularity of mega-PSUs. But there are still users who invest lots of money into VGAs and a correspondingly powerful PSU for the ultimate gaming experience. Today’s review sample, the Leadex Gold 1300 W, can power four high-end VGAs with its eight PCIe connectors and monstrous capacity. Its single +12V rail design will make installing this unit a lot easier since you don't have to worry about where each cable goes. We know that multi-rail, high-capacity PSUs are much safer in case something goes very wrong (e.g. a short), but single rail units don't suffer from OCP triggering problems that could lead to unexpected shut downs, and some protection features, like OPP and UVP, still offer enough protection against even shorts. But let’s not turn this into a multi-rail vs single-rail debate and skip to the main review.

Specifications

Efficiency is Gold since it is very difficult to meet all 80 Plus Platinum requirements with a high capacity unit, though we are pretty sure that the PSU's internal components are identical to those of the Leadex Platinum with 1200 W capacity. The features list includes, among others, the highly desired Haswell compatibility and a fully modular cabling design. SF also states that this unit is equipped with most protection features, including OCP (Over Current Protection), which is meaningless in this case. OTP is unfortunately missing; however, the unit can still deliver its full power continuously at a very high operating temperature of up to 50°C.

SF used a fluid dynamic bearing fan with this PSU. The best possible choice, this fan also costs more than a double ball-bearing one. The fan used is powerful and produces a significant amount of noise at high speeds, but its semi-passive operation, which can be disengaged if the user doesn't need it, will only engage the fan under tough conditions, making it inaudible at low and normal loads.

This PSU is 20 cm long, so make sure to check whether it can fit into your case before buying it (most modern ATX cases will support it without a hitch). The Leadex 1300W weighs as much as a PSU with such a monstrous capacity should weigh and is compatible with the ATX v2.2 spec, which is nearly identical to ATX v2.31, although this unit is only not compatible with the ATX v2.31 and v2.4 specs because both require at least two +12V rails and this unit only has one. The PSU comes with a five year warranty, and its price is highly competitive, especially for EU market standard, where hardware is generally more expensive than in the States.

The power of the +12V rail is intimidating since it can deliver more than 108 Amps! The maximum combined power of the minor rails is also enough for any modern system, even a very power-hungry one with lots of peripheral components/devices installed, but a stronger 5VSB rail with at least 4 A maximum current output would suit a 1.3 kW PSU more.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

Like every 1300 W unit that respects itself, the Leadex features eight PCIe and two EPS connectors, and a great number of peripheral and SATA connectors. All cables are pretty long, and the distance among connectors is adequate. All of its gauges are 18AWG, which is the size the ATX spec recommends. High capacity units like this one usually use thicker 16AWG wires, but those make for very rigid cables that give users a hard time with cable management, though they provide lower voltage drops with high loads.

Since this PSU features a single +12V rail, we do not have anything to comment on about its power distribution.

Packaging

The package is mostly black since this is the black version of the 1300 W Gold Leadex. Its front is occupied by SF's logo, a butterfly, while the 80 Plus Gold badge its the upper-right corner is probably deliberately colored platinum instead of gold to hint at the 90+ efficiency SF claims this unit to produce. The unit's capacity can be found in the bottom-right corner, on the front.


This side lists the PSU's features. The most crucial of these are the fully modular cabling design, crystal-clear cube connectors, and specially designed main transformer. SF also mentions that the unit passed a 2000 on/off test successfully without, however, mentioning whether it was conducted at full load.


This side depicts both versions of this Leadex model. The first has a white enclosure while the other features a black one.


A series of photos and graphs on the back depict the most interesting features of the unit, which are its fully modular design, Japanese caps, semi-passive operation with the FDB fan, and double layer main transformer. SF also provides some information on the 80 Plus program and includes a specifications table along with a scheme to show the fan's operational curve in ECO mode. Based on the information here, the fan reaches it maximum speed (1500 RPM according to SF, but we measured 2060 RPM) when the internal temperature hits 65°C, deactivating once ambient drops below 45°C.

Contents

The contents of the box are neatly arranged, and the PSU is protected by two pieces of packing foam.


A white bag protects the PSU that is also wrapped in plastic. We couldn't ask for more protection.


The bundle includes the user's manual, a set of fixing bolts, an AC power cord, and a pouch that stores all modular cables.