Siksa PSU 450 Ribuan ! ft PCCooler KF550

Summary

This review of the P Cooler KF550 PSU dives into its performance under stress testing, revealing key flaws. While priced affordably, the PSU lacks proper over-power protection, causing it to fail catastrophically under heavy load, unlike other competitors. The thermal performance is decent, but the unit ultimately fails to meet expectations for reliability and protection, particularly for users pushing it to its limits. The reviewer cautions against trusting initial claims and suggests thorough testing before use. Despite the low price, this PSU is not recommended for high-demand setups.

Takeaways

• 😀 The P Cooler KF550 PSU was subjected to multiple stress tests to evaluate its reliability and performance under heavy load.
• 😀 The PSU was found to have inadequate over-power protection, failing catastrophically after reaching a maximum load of 992W, with smoke and burning components observed.
• 😀 Despite claims of having protection features like under-voltage and over-voltage safeguards, the PSU lacked proper over-power protection based on the test results.
• 😀 The PSU's failure was notably different from other PSUs tested in similar conditions, which typically just shut down and resumed operation after cooling down.
• 😀 Thermal performance was generally within acceptable limits, with component temperatures ranging from 35°C to 85°C, indicating no immediate overheating issues during testing.
• 😀 A coil whine sound was noticed during high loads near 800W, a potential indication of instability or stress on the PSU's internal components.
• 😀 The PSU's inability to restart after the overload and the subsequent smoke suggests poor build quality and a lack of effective internal protections.
• 😀 The review contrasts the KF550 with higher-end PSUs in terms of reliability and safety, concluding that even budget PSUs with basic protections are more resilient.
• 😀 The testing process involved using a Flir camera to measure component temperatures during stress testing, ensuring a detailed analysis of the PSU's heat distribution.
• 😀 The reviewer recommends cautious use of the P Cooler KF550, advising that potential buyers consider other PSUs in the same price range or higher for better safety and performance.
• 😀 The P Cooler KF550 PSU, priced around IDR 60,000 (approx. $3-4), is ultimately deemed unsuitable for high-demand systems or prolonged heavy use due to its lack of reliable protections.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the review of the PC Cooler KF550 PSU in this video?

The main purpose of the review is to evaluate the PC Cooler KF550 PSU, focusing on its features, performance, and reliability, especially in terms of efficiency, protections, and stability under load.

What is included in the box when purchasing the PC Cooler KF550 PSU?

The box includes the PSU unit itself, a manual, four mounting screws for installation, a power cable, and various cables for different power connections like 24-pin, 8-pin, and SATA connectors.

What are some of the protective features claimed by PC Cooler for the KF550 PSU?

PC Cooler claims that the KF550 PSU includes multiple protective features such as overvoltage protection (OVP), short circuit protection (SCP), and over power protection (OPP).

Did the review agree with PC Cooler's claim of using all Taiwan capacitors in the PSU?

No, the reviewer disagreed with PC Cooler's claim of using all Taiwan capacitors. The main capacitors used in the PSU were from Samson, which is a Chinese brand, not Taiwanese.

What issues were found during the testing of the PC Cooler KF550 PSU’s efficiency?

The efficiency of the PSU was found to be within expected ranges for an 80 Plus White certified unit. However, there were voltage drops and fluctuations observed under high load, especially at 110% load, where the 3.3V output dropped below acceptable levels.

What were the results of the cross-load tests performed on the KF550 PSU?

The cross-load tests showed significant instability. When specific rails like 3.3V or 5V were overloaded, it caused the 12V output to increase dangerously, potentially risking damage to connected components.

What is a major safety concern identified in the cross-load testing?

A major safety concern identified was the increase in the 12V output to over 13V when certain loads, particularly on the 3.3V or 5V rails, were applied. This overvoltage could severely damage sensitive computer components.

How does the PSU handle low voltage input based on the testing?

The PSU was able to function with input voltages as low as 100V, but it produced a loud coil whining noise when the voltage dropped below 120V, suggesting potential instability in such environments.

What issue was identified with the PSU's ripple performance during testing?

The PSU exhibited significant ripple on the 12V, 5V, and 3.3V outputs, especially under heavy load. For instance, the ripple on the 12V rail exceeded the Intel standard, reaching 137mV, which is higher than the acceptable 120mV limit.

What was the outcome of the uptimes testing for the KF550 PSU?

The KF550 PSU did not meet Intel's standards for uptime. While it lasted 15ms under 80% load, it only survived 10.4ms under 100% load, falling short of the required 17ms for 80% load and 12ms for 100% load.