A Look Inside & Component Analysis

Before reading this page, we strongly suggest a look at this article, which will help you understand the internal components of a PSU much better. Our main tool for the disassembly of the PSU is a Thermaltronics TMT-9000S soldering and rework station. It is of extreme quality and is equipped with a matching de-soldering gun. With such equipment in hand, breaking apart every PSU is like a walk in the park!




While the older Tough Power DPS units are manufactured by Sirtec, this one is by CWT, and it is actually a modified semi-digital version of their CSH platform. The Corsair HX1000i we reviewed a while ago uses the same platform, though there are differences. An LLC converter boosts efficiency in the primary side, while mosfets in the secondary side regulate the +12V rail, and the minor rails are generated by two DC-DC converters. The primary side houses normal heatsinks for the APFC fets and the main switchers, but as CWT is used to doing with their recent designs, the secondary side has no heatsinks, which we don't like since a heatsink in the secondary side would allow for better cooling and an evermore relaxed fan profile without curtailing the longevity of the regulating mosfets. Yet these units do come with a long warranty, so CWT must be confident in their design by having put the platform through tough tests in the worst possible conditions.


At the AC receptacle are two Y caps, and the transient filter's other components are on the main PCB. Another two Y and X caps, each, two CM chokes, and an MOV make up the second part of the transient or EMI filter. All in all, the latter is complete.


A pair of GBU1506 bridge rectifiers are installed on a dedicated heatsink. Their role is to fully rectify the incoming AC voltage and feed the APFC circuit. They can handle up to 30 A combined, which is more than enough to meet the demands of this PSU.


The APFC converter uses two Toshiba TK31A60W fets and a single boost diode we couldn't identify since a thermistor totally blocked the view. The latter is used for inrush current protection and is accompanied by an electromagnetic relay with a two-folded purpose, as it increases efficiency a bit once the PSU has been turned on since it bypasses the thermistor and also allows the latter to cool down faster.


The bulk cap is a single Chemi-Con (400V, 680uF, 105°C, KMR) and looks small for a 1050 W PSU.


Backed by an LLC resonant converter for lossless switching, the main switchers are two Toshiba TK31A60W fets.


CWT claims this card to host digital components, but we only found analog ICs on it. The APFC controllers, an Infineon ICE3PCS01G and a CM03X IC are installed on it, along with the resonant controller, an Infineon ICE2HS01G.


As has already been mentioned, there are no heatsinks in the secondary side. All six fets which regulate the +12V rail are installed on a leaning daughter-board, and several bus bars there not only transfer power but help in cooling the fets down. All filtering electrolytic caps in the secondary side are by Chemi-Con (KZE series, rated at 105°C). We also found some polymer caps from Apaq.


Both DC-DC converters are on the vertical board above. Their common PWM controller is an Anpec APW7159, and a total of six M3006D fets generate the minor rails.


Housekeeping is done by a Weltrend WT7502 IC on the mainboard. This IC doesn't provide OCP for the +12V rail, which is of no importance to such high-capacity PSUs with a single +12V rail.


The MCU, a PIC32MX on the modular PCB, allows this PSU to talk with Thermaltake's software. Since analog circuits handle all the functions of this platform, the MCU only plays a monitoring role. Its only control function has to do with the selection of either fan profile ("silent" or "performance").


On the primary side of the modular board are several Apaq polymer caps. These provide some extra ripple filtering. We also spotted a Sinopower SM3117N mosfet on the same PCB.


Soldering quality is very good, a given for a CWT product. We found a CSP1045S SBR on this side. The 5VSB circuit probably utilizes it and the mosfet which had all of its markings erased so we couldn't identify it.


The cooling fan comes with Thermaltake's logo; however, it is a Hong Hua fan. Its model number is HA1425L12SB-Z (12 V, 0.22 A, 1500 RPM), and Thermaltake says it to use ball bearings.