Build Quality
As we already know the Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W features a 139mm fan design that is used in the same vein as 120mm fans in that these can provide for quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan.
The 139mm fan is just short of the largest diameter fan we are likely to see in ATX power supplies given the physical constraints of the form factor. While great for quiet computing environments the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient, not necessarily it’s sound output level or form factor, although we certainly listen for offending units.
External Build Quality
The external build of the Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W looks much like other ATX12v sized REVOLUTION branded Enermax units that have been produced over the last few years. It also conforms to much of what has become standard among enthusiast power supplies over the last 10 years or so (the layout is standard for a single overhead fan design with APFC and modular cables).
The finish we see today is a heavily textured almost powder coat like black finish that should be durable. The unit is further branded with the unit name and Enermax branding via a printing process as opposed to stickers and this is nicely done. The only thing that could be negative here is that it is very monochromatic. That said, how much color is needed to get your point across? Especially with something like the modular interface which we see labeled today. Sure, it is just white lettering, but it is complete, so it is completely functional, and much appreciated.
The Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W comes in at a total length of ~6 1/4 inches while the cables come in at a length of ~18″ to 28″ to the first or only connector. Additionally, the cables are all the FlexForce style cables.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the top of the Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W, we see a rather sparse unit (especially given the unit’s capacity of 850W) that appears to be a CWT GPU platform based unit. The topology is a half-bridge resonant LLC primary and a secondary where we have synchronous rectification with DC-DC VRMs for the minor rails.
The heatsink layout features what appear to be just four heatsinks (two larger black ones on the primary side and two smaller bare aluminum ones on the secondary side) installed today. These heatsinks are paired with a 139mm “Twister” bearing fan carrying the Enermax branding. When we look at the back of PCB, we see the 12v MOSFETs here. The soldering here is outstanding but the leads have not been trimmed very well.
On the primary side, the REVOLUTION DF 850W input filtering begins upon the housing itself with some X capacitors and Y capacitors and then trails onto the main PCB. The bridge rectifier is next and it is attached to a fairly large heatsink. As we move on to the primary side proper, we find a coil followed by the APFC power components and the main switchers on a heatsink. Next to this heatsink is the main input capacitor which is provided by Nichicon. This capacitor is rated at 400v 680uF 105C.
On the secondary side of this unit, things continue to be very sparse today. In this area, we find that the main transformer is rather centrally located by a pair of heatsinks. These heatsinks are used by the MOSFETs we saw on the rear of the PCB. Behind this we find the DC-DC VRMs housed on their own PCB (populated by FPCAP solid capacitors) up against the modular PCB. In front of these PCB’s, we find a number of standard electrolytics provided by Nippon Chemi-con and solid capacitors provided by FPCAP. Moving on to the modular PCB, we see that the PCB construction looks very nice and there are more FPCAP solid capacitors here.
Build Quality Summary
Today’s Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W is the first power supply we have seen from Enermax and at 850W it is no small unit! Things seem to be starting off on the right foot as this unit is looking like a very well built product with a lot going for it. The exterior of this unit is well built and it looks like most modular overhead fan units these days while carrying the usual Enermax REVOLUTION branding and finish.
This is coupled will all FlexForce style cabling which is nice to see. When we move to the interior build quality, we see a modern design that is generally well-executed even though it is very sparse looking for an 850W unit. The integration is very well done (especially the soldering) in spite of some long leads.
The component selection is excellent as we see Nippon Chemi-con and Nichicon standard capacitors as well as FPCAP solid capacitors today. We also saw an Enermax “Twister Bearing” fan which is another solid addition to the build quality. With this all looking very sorted out to start with, let’s move on now to the load tests and see how this unit does there!