Build Quality
As we already know the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 features a single 135mm fan design that is used in the same vein as 120mm fans in that these can provide quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan. The 135mm 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
The exterior of the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 is different from what we have been seeing from the Seasonic FOCUS and PRIME lines to date. The layout is traditional for a modular unit with an overhead fan in the ATX12v/EPS form factor. Cosmetically, certain elements carry over from the FOCUS branding mainly in the mixture of grey/silver text accents. The branding is nice and a bit more subtle than we see with some other units. The modular interface is well labeled in the manner we see from many Seasonic units. The fan grill, however, is completely new and, um, interesting. Rounding things out, the unit has a durable black finish that is slightly textured as we have seen on Seasonic units for years now.
The VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 comes in at a total length of ~6.25 inches while the cables come in at a length of ~18″ to 27.5″ to the first, or only, connector. Among these cables, we find the super melty 12VHPWR cable (though, that isn’t Seasonic’s fault that specification is just bad) as well SATA 3.3v only cables. Additionally, the cables are all individually sleeved which many people will put value on.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the top of the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0, we see a familiar topology in this Seasonic platform. The topology has a full-bridge resonant LLC primary with a synchronous rectification secondary and DC-DC VRMs for the minor rails. The fan cooling this unit today is a FDB fan. The fan is manufactured by Hong Hua and rated at 0.50A at 12v. It is paired with three real heatsinks. This breaks down to one large heatsink on the primary side proper, one heatsink on the main switchers, and two heatsink on the secondary side (which also uses the housing as part of the thermal solution here). Lastly, the soldering is excellent on the main PCB.
The VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 input filtering begins up on the housing itself where we find a PCB with some X capacitors and Y capacitors. The balance of the input filtering is found on the back edge of the main PCB. There are then a pair of bridge rectifiers next in the line attached to a rather large heatsink. The APFC coil is next and it is followed by the APFC power components attached to the other substantial heatsink on the primary side. Speaking of this heatsink, the main input capacitors are right next to it and they are provided by Nippon Chemi-con with a rating of 420v 390uF 105C and 420v 330uF 105C. The main switching transistors receive their own heatsinks as well and they are right next to the main input capacitors.
The secondary side of this unit looks a bit more crowded than expected and is situated not exactly next to the primary side components but between the primary side components (and main transformer) and the modular PCB. A much more logical arrangement. Just above the main transformer, we see a long thing heat sink attached to the 12v MOSFETS. Sprinkled throughout this area we find solid and standard capacitors also provided by Nippon Chemi-con.
Then, as we move closer to the modular PCB we find the DC-DC VRMs housed on their own PCB (populated by Nippon Chemi-con solid capacitors) up against the modular PCB. The modular PCB itself is nicely soldered and we find a few standard electrolytics provided by Nippon Chemi-con as well as a number of solid electrolytics from FPCAP on it as well.
Build Quality Summary
Today’s VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 is the first power supply we have seen from Seasonic’s VERTEX line. With this comes a new platform using a well-tested topology. Overall, the build quality looks excellent. The exterior is well done with attention paid to the branding of this unit even and, for the first time in forever, this unit diverges a little from what we have been seeing in this regard from Sesonic. That is not a bad thing as the overall look is nice and the quality is still spot on.
The cables are all individually sleeved which will add value to the unit for those people who like this look. The integration is excellent and the component selection is excellent as we see Nippon Chemi-con standard and solid capacitors as well FPCAP solid capacitors in use today. On top of that, we see an FDB fan cooling this unit. All in all, the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 looks like an excellent. Let’s move on now to the load tests and see how this unit performs!