Build Quality
As we already know the 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W features a 140mm 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 140mm fan is just about 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 its sound output level or form factor, although we certainly listen for offending units.
External Build Quality
If we had not previously seen the 1STPLAYER SFX 750W Platinum we might say that the exterior of the 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W is better than expected. However, since we do have a reference point we are not really surprised today. The overall look of the 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W is generally nice if a bit on the no-frills side of things. Well, except for the spider. (What is the deal with the spider? )
The finish is a typical flat black with accenting text/labels in silver or gold. The modular interface is well-labeled as well which is always nice to see. Other than that, the only standout items are the unique fan guard and 1STPLAYER branding found on it.
The 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W comes in at a total length of ~6 1/4 inches while the cables come in at a length of ~16″ to 23″ to the first or only connector. Additionally, the cables are all FlexForce-style cables or standard-sleeved cables.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the top of the 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W, we see a rather normal-looking modern power supply built by Helly (which seems to be heavily influenced by certain Enhance platforms). Interestingly though, the topology features a a half bridge LLC primary (instead of a full bridge at this power level) with a synchronous rectification secondary and DC-DC VRMs for the minor rails.
The fan cooling this unit today is a 140mm sleeve bearing fan provided by Yate Loon and rated 0.70A at 12v. While sleeve-bearing fans are generally good from a noise standpoint they are not great from a longevity standpoint. On top of that, this is a really high-powered sleeve-bearing fan….so….ehhhhh.
Lastly, the soldering is neat with no major hand touch-ups visible which is new from Helly and may indicate some more automated production processes on this unit.
The 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W input filtering begins upon the housing itself where we find some X capacitors and Y capacitors. The balance of the input filtering is found on the back edge of the main PCB. There are the bridge rectifiers next in line attached to a heatsink. The APFC power components are next and they are followed by the APFC coil. Speaking of this heatsink, the main input capacitor is right next to it and it is provided by Nippon Chemi-con with a rating of 400v 470uF 105C. Next to this are the main switchers attached to another substantial heatsink in the unit.
The secondary side of this unit looks a bit crowded, but not insanely so. In the middle of this area, we find the main transformer. Next to this is a heatsink that is attached to the MOSFETs. Surrounding this PCB we find a smattering of various wet electorlytics (Rubycon) and solid electrolytics (APAQ and some unknown brand). Towards the edge of the main PCB, we find the DC-DC VRMs housed on their own PCBs (populated by unidentified solid capacitors just like we see on the main PCB, throw me an email if you know who makes these folks!).
In front of these PCBs, we find the modular PCB. The construction looks very nice here as the soldering is on point. When we look at the front side of the modular PCB we see that the integration is also very good on this side. Throughout the modular PCB, we see more solid capacitors from APAQ.
Build Quality Summary
Today’s 1STPLAYER STEAMPUNK 850W is the second 1STPLAYER power supply we have seen here at TheFPSReview and, overall, it follows the basic points we saw from the previous 1STPLAYER SFX 750W Platinum with a few improvements. As such, the build quality looks okay to good.
Starting with the outside build quality of the STEAMPUNK 850W looks good if a bit, should I say, weird when it comes to the power label. The finish is well done and the connectors are well labeled. Indeed, the cables themselves are well done with standard wire loom or flat FlexForce-style cables.
As we move to the interior we still see, what looks like, a competently executed product. The actual integration is looking very nice as the soldering and component placement are very good. The topology is very modern and a lot of the components look to be high quality. But not all. The capacitors are mixed with high-quality options (Nippon Chemi-con and Rubycon), mid-grade options (APAQ and Yate Loon), and unknown options (the rest of the capacitors).
That all said, we seem to be starting off a bit better than when we saw the 1STPLAYER SFX 750W Platinum but given some of the things we saw with that unit that may not be the best endorsement. Overall though, this unit looks decent enough. Not great, but it doesn’t make me think this thing is going to burn down the whole house (maybe just part of it….?….).