Thermaltake ToughPower 550 Power Supply

Introduction

Today we are here to look at the new Thermaltake ToughPower 550, which of course is a power supply if you didn't already know. The ToughPower is a SLi/Crossfire Power Supply with the rest, including two 12 volt rails and a 20+4 pin ATX Connector.

Packaging

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What's in the box

In the box is:

• ToughPower 550 Power Supply Unit
• Manual
• Screws
• Power Cable

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Specifications

• Max Power:550 Watts
• Switches: ATX Logic on-off additional power rocker switch
• Colour: Black Gloss
• PFC: Active (230V model only)
• Cooling System: 120mm Fan (2200 RPM / 76.63 CFM)
• Noise: 17dB at 1300rpm
• PG Signal: 100-500ms
• Over Voltage +5v: 5.7v Min, 6.2 Max
• Over Voltage +3.3v: 3.7v Min, 4.1 Max
• Over Voltage +12v1&2: 13.3v Min, 14.3 Max
• Unit Size: 15cm(L)x14cm(W)x8.5cm(H)
• Weight: 2.13kg
• Input Voltage: 230 VAC (w/PFC), 115VAC/230VAC (wo/PFC)
• Input Freq: 50~60 Hz
• Input Current: 12A/6A
• Hold-Up Time: 17ms (aka if the power goes off for less then 17ms then your computer will stay on)
• Efficiency: >80%

The ToughPower

The ToughPower 550 is a nice glossy box with wires hanging out, it also has a side picture advertising the product. Although it might seem good on paper, I had problems fitting the power supply in.

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The ToughPower 550 is not a modular power supply so according to what most people say, it has a higher efficiency then a modular psu. Although it does have cable sleeving and long wires.

Cable Connectors:

• 2x 4 Molex, 1 Floppy
• 2x 2 Sata
• 2x PCI-E
• 4 Pin ATX
• 20+4 pin ATX

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Power Output Specs:

• +12v1: 19A
• +12v2: 19A
• +5v: 40A
• +3.3v: 32A
• +5v SB: 2A
• -12v: 1A

As you can see this power supply will definitely support a SLi system.

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Installation

Installing the PSU was quite simple, although i did have problems installing in to my Cooler Master Praetorian Case, as u need to slide it in the back and the side picture scratches.

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Results

Test Computer:

• AMD Athlon 64 3000+ (Winchester Core)
• DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D
• Gigabyte x600 pro 128MB
• Corsair XMS 3500 LL Pro 2048MB
• Sunbeam Nuuo 550 Watt Power Supply [Comparison]
• Thermaltake ToughPower 550 Power Supply [Comparison]
• Sunbeam Theta Fan Controller
• 80GB Seagate SATA HDD
• Cooler Master Praetorian 731
• Microsoft Windows XP Pro

Testing:

• Power Supply ran through a UPS on battery
• Voltage Measured for 10 minutes, Load and Idle

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Conclusion

This power supply isn't too bad, although it does jitter quite a bit it is still about as close to the right voltage as you need.
Thermaltake did make a mistake when they decided to put the picture on the side, because some people might not be able to install it without troubles.

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Pros (+):

• Reasonably low Jitter and close to standard voltage requirements
• Cable Sleeved
• EZ Connectors
• APFC (230V Model only)
• 20+4 Pin
• SLi/Crossfire Compatible
• Fan Speed Monitor
• Auto Fan Speed

Cons (-):

• The side picture on the unit
• No Fan Speed Controller

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