Finally, a "good" and common power supply *SPI*(sparkle)

[Toaster]

Hello folks,
I have been watching and testing the "SPI" or "Sparkle" power supplies.
These have been quite good, very reliable and exceptionately clean.
The particular model is:
FSP300-60BT
This is a 300 watt supply for ATX .
While this supply does NOT have the P4 auxilliary power connector, the supply performed well and exceeded stated spec.
I'm currently working with other models from SPI and all seem to behave/perform very similarily.
A brief run down:

The supply passed a brownout test I devised as a real world test.
This test is lowering the input "line" voltage both gradually (sag) and suddenly (brownout) to the point where the supply shuts down.
Gradually lowering the input voltage from 117 vac , the supply stayed operational to 88 volts ac. (quite good)
Lowering the input ac voltage sufddenly to 75 vac (to force a shut down and test reserve capacity) and mesuring the amount of "reserve time" the supply can remain functional.

1. Power abruptly lowered to 75 volts for 50msec. (pass and quite good)
When this supply was at rated power (300 watts) the supply internal filter capacitors supplied power for 88msec before the supply shut itself down. This is a very good result as "typical" supplies rarely exceed about 35msec at rated power. The best I have seen so far is 154 msec (awesome!).


The supply was able to operate at rated power (300 watts) for the duration of the "burn test" of 4 hours.
This supply provided the following output currents, for 4 hours without overheating:
3.3/5volt at 150 watts (rated maximum)
12volt at 10 amps (rated maximum)
+5volt SB (standby maximum rated)
This supply passed all "stated maximums with ease"

The next step is to gradually increase the load to the point where the supply shuts down for either heat or current overloads (or a combination)

The supply was able to handle outputs of 425 watts for 15 seconds before the auto protection circuits enabled thuis shutting down the supply.
(quite good)
The supply was able to provide a whopping 512 watts for 3 seconds.
(outstanding!)

This supply was able to distinguish between a temporary high current demand and a full blown short circuit.
(That is, a short instantly shut down the supply) This is a VERY good quality for a supply. Reason being is that a system board short to ground reduced the possibility for this power supply to "fry" connected components.
In the same light, the supply "knew" the difference between a shot like the above and a "short term" high current demand. (hard disk array spin-up)


During every test, the outputs were monitored for "power spikes" and other anomolies. In no case did this supply "pass to the outputs" a harmful power anomoly. (spike, sag)

Ventilation is first rate AND QUIET!
The "top" of the supply is very well vented and the fan areas were clear of obstructions. The fan is thermally *and* electrostatically controlled.
That is, the fan speed depends on either or both current demands and temps.

Internally, the supply is VERY well built having monster caps and good input voltage filtering.
Its outputs stayed within 3% during all tests. (very good ratings!)
The fan is all ball bearing and "silenced" .


The bottom line:
Very well built, exceeds all specs, intelligent shut down methods and a very good "surge" suppression on both inputs(AC) and outputs (DC).

These supplies are available locally for 45.00 as an "enhancement".

[sUsHIboI]

thx 4 da 411... greatly appreciated since my first build had a CompUSA 300watt supply which literally had sparks flyin everywhere (I saw it thru my case window =P)... scared da hell outta me but everythin wuz fine... never buy dat generic crap again!

[babylon5guy]

Thanks for the info Toaster. Did you mean when you did the brownout test it still maintained the rated output?

[whr2206]

still got a Deer psu in mine. Im gonna get it out of there when I get the money to replace it with a decent one.....o well I guess I'll just be gamblng till I can get the cash.

[DrZaius]

Thanks Toaster, your PSU test/reviews are always great.

[HAL9000]

That's good to hear Toaster. I asked you a while back about these power supplies but you had not had the time to test them out. I currently have the BTV model (P4 variant), so I don't see why it should be any lesser quality.

[mrjohnsonjr]

have you tested or are you gonna test any of the comp usa power supplies...i am really curious how they hold up...

[PardeGT]

Newegg.com has the Sparkle FSP300-60BT the Hal tested for $32 plus other models:

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...ry=1389&DEPA=1

Also, here is a thread I posted on some 250w sparkles on clearance that I ordered:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...hlight=sparkle

[mike breck]

Thanks Toaster for an excellent benchtest.

Obviously, glc has been right about recommending Sparkle PSUs over the years.

[glc]

Now - let's go a bit farther - has anyone tested Nspire power supplies? I'm curious because that's the brand my distributor currently stocks. We haven't had any problems with them yet. Really, the only brands we have had much experience with are Enlight, Nspire, Sparkle, and Macase, with no issues evident.

[Larry E.]

What about PC Power & Cooling power supplies? My first computers power supply went out in about 3 months, I don't know what make it was. Back then I didn't know very much about computers and I wanted a good power supply so I bought the most expensive one I could find.
Just wonder what you think about them.
Oh, its been running 24-7 for about 3 years now and still going, so I probably answered my own question.

[babylon5guy]

Hi Larry,
That's what I have, it was recommended to me by someone on this board, it's great, they have built in voltage regulation and weigh a lot. Only draw back is that they are a little noisier than most. I think they are not as popular because they are about twice as expensive as the others.

[Xayd]

PC Power and Cooling has been around for a long time in terms of computer parts dealers.

I haven't used any of their power supplies, but have used some of their cooling gear and have never had a problem with anything from them.

[Cricket]

I'm not sure about the current PC Power & Cooling power supplies, but I remember the PC Power & Cooling power supplies were actually modified Sparkle Power units back around 1997 or so.

Cricket