Introduction

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



Super Flower is well into the PSU market at the moment, which is mostly due to its excellent Leadex platforms. However, this OEM also has a few more affordable but interesting platforms available. One such platform is being utilized by today's review sample, the Platinum King with a capacity of 650 W. A non-modular PSU with compact dimensions and Platinum efficiency, it is based on an older Super Flower platform that still performs well enough for its price range today.

Most users prefer partially or fully modular PSUs over non-modular ones, but the truth of the matter is that the first feature manufacturers will sacrifice to reduce the cost of production is the modular cable design since affixed cables also allow for better efficiency and load regulation because there are no losses, as is the case with modular cables. How many native cables there are can create problems during installation, though, and it surely won't be easy to hide unused cables, especially if the PSU is equipped with lots of them. We personally prefer fully modular PSUs because they are easier to install and take photos of.

Super Flower's Platinum King line is surely a downgrade compared to the previous Golden King line as lots of modifications and compromises had to be made in order to lower the cost of production with these newer models. We reviewed the Golden King 650 W model a few years ago, and its performance was pretty good even for today's standards. Even though its name included "Golden", its efficiency certification was 80 PLUS Platinum, which was confusing back in the day, but Super Flower has made a point of including "Platinum" in the nomenclature of their more recent series, so there is no confusion on the matter now. The Platinum King family consists of three members with capacities ranging from 450W to 650W. All members feature Platinum efficiency, a single +12V rail, and native cables instead of the semi-modular design the Golden King units used. The only upgrade the Platinum King line looks to have over the Golden line is the longer warranty Super Flower has increased from three to five years.

Specifications

This unit's Platinum efficiency is accompanied by a non-modular cable design and a 50°C rating, which is great since it means that heat-resilient components are used. However, its available protection features don't include Over Temperature Protection, which is a shame since it is essential in a PSU. The cooling fan uses a Duro Bearing, which looks to share some similarities with an FDB bearing since it uses a gasket and a special design in order to prevent any lubricant leakage that could destroy the bearing. It has a lifetime of 60,000 h at 40 °C and will, as such, last for a very long time.

Although a very efficient unit, it isn't equipped with a semi-passive mode. Super Flower apparently only provides a semi-passive mode with its higher-end models. At 145 mm long, the SF-650P14PE is also very compact, and its warranty is quite long at five years, while its price is interesting, at least as far as EU market standards go.

As is typical of a Super Flower PSU, the minor rails have a combined maximum capacity of 100 W, and there is a single +12V rail that can deliver the unit's full power on its own. The 5VSB rail has the typical capacity as well, with 2.5 A maximum current output.

Cables & Connectors, Power Distribution

As has already been stated, all cables are native in an effort to lower the cost of production, which also keeps the final retail price down. This is an affordable Platinum unit, so if you want or need fully modular cables, you should invest more money and buy a Platinum Leadex model instead.

The number of cables and connectors is restricted, but that isn't necessarily bad for a PSU with nothing but native cables. Strangely enough, Super Flower equipped the unit with an odd instead of an even number of PCIe connectors. There aren't many SATA and 4-pin Molex connectors, but there are enough for its category. If you need more, you should look for a modular PSU that will probably also cost more. Every connector uses standard 18AWG gauges, which is as the ATX specification recommends.

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

Packaging

The packaging features Super Flower's logo, which is a butterfly. The unit's capacity is given in the bottom-left corner of the front, and the 80 PLUS logo is in the top-right corner, with a 92+ figure on top describing the PSU's efficiency under typical load (50% of its max-rated capacity).


On one side of the box is a table with the unit's most important features. On the other are two stickers that mention the part and serial numbers, along with what various certifications the product meets, including the CE certification essential to any product being sold in the EU.

The CE certification, if legit, means that the PSU meets the ErP Lot 6/3 directives which have to do with standby power consumption and the 5VSB rail's efficiency, and this certification is only given to products that also meet the corresponding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements. According to the European Commission, the CE mark certifies that the product meets the EU's health, safety, and environmental requirements that ensure consumer and workplace safety. Every CE mark should be accompanied by the corresponding declaration of conformity certification in order for this product to be imported into the EU zone. The problem here is that getting this certification without any actual proper testing is rather easy for most Chinese (and not only) factories.


Some more features of this product are depicted on this side of the box. The most interesting ones are the Infineon FETs, which are of very high quality, and the DC-DC converters for the generation of the minor rails. Super Flower states that the PSU uses a Japanese bulk cap, which is absolutely true, but it is only rated at 85 °C instead of 105 °C. We would prefer a good Teapo 105 °C bulk cap if a 105 °C rated Japanese bulk cap isn't an option because it is too expensive.

Contents

Only some bubble wrap protects the PSU inside the box. Some packing foam would increase the PSU's protection significantly. The bundle is basic as well since it doesn't include any zip ties or Velcro straps for cable management. Given this is a non-modular unit, you will have to deal with lots of cables, which means at least some zip ties should have been included.