Thermaltake Toughpower DPS 850 W Review 5

Thermaltake Toughpower DPS 850 W Review

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Value and Conclusion

  • The Toughpower DPS 850 W retails for $199.99.
  • Resilient to high operating temperatures
  • Excellent ripple suppression
  • Extra-tight voltage regulation
  • Efficient
  • Good performance in Advanced Transient Response tests
  • Quiet operation
  • Software for fan speed control and monitoring of all PSU activities
  • Fully modular
  • High build quality
  • Accuracy of the DPSApp software (especially in current output)
  • 7-year warranty
  • High price
  • Only one EPS connector
  • Lower than required hold-up time
  • Found a damaged cap on the modular PCB (which, however, doesn't seem to affect performance)
  • The 24-pin cable should consist of less ribboned cable strips
As I expected, the DPS-850 performed marvelously thanks to the digitally controlled platform it utilizes, yet it obviously isn't only the digital control that boosts its performance. Its cutting-edge analog part and quality components also play their role. However, the combination of all the above had a tremendous affect on its price. At 200 bucks, it is one of the most expensive 850 W PSUs on the market today. But you have to pay the corresponding price for something exceptional as that is how most things in life work. The DPS-850 produced ultra-stable voltages at even very high loads, its efficiency was very close to the Platinum competition, the fan was barely audible most of the time, and the fully modular design increases its usability. The readings the DPSApp produced were also very accurate, especially for current output, so users will know exactly how many amps each rail draws at any given time, and the log function even provides users with a full data set, which will intrigue every control freak out there. Thermaltake did a very good job with the DPSApp, and there are only a few things I would like to see improved. Skipping to the downsides: This unit's biggest problem is its lack of a second EPS connector every PSU of this category should be equipped with. The DPS-850's hold-up time was also lower than 16 ms. Thermaltake should then use a slightly larger hold-up cap, but they probably didn't want to increase production cost further.

Analog circuits in PSUs will apparently be a thing of the past once digital ones offering ultra-steady and clean voltage rails take offer, and the proper software will even provide enthusiast users with many monitoring and control features. Thermaltake's new Toughpower DSP line looks incredibly promising since the DPS-850 I evaluated today excelled in most areas while easily meeting the tough competition, mostly derived from Corsair, head on. I am really looking forward to the DSP Platinum units that will be released soon and hope Thermaltake will manage to keep their prices at reasonable levels.
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Apr 24th, 2024 06:54 EDT change timezone

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