XPG Probe 600W power supply review

• 1 cord: to the main ATX connector — 50 cm
• 1 cord: to the processor socket 8 pin SSI — 63 cm
• 1 cord: to the first PCIe 2.0 VGA Power Connector video card power connector — 52 cm, plus another 15 cm to the second same connector
• 1 cord: to the first SATA Power Connector — 45 cm, plus 15 cm to the second and another 15 cm to the third similar connector, plus another 15 cm to the Peripheral Connector (Molex)
• 1 cord: to the first SATA Power Connector — 45 cm, plus 15 cm to the second same connector, plus another 15 cm to the Peripheral Connector (Molex) and another 15 cm to the FDD power connector

The length of the cables in this power supply is not the greatest, but even in fairly large and tall cases with a hidden wiring system, there should be no problems with their assembly. In our case, the power supply was installed in a compact PC.

All wires in this power supply are fixed, which is typical for budget solutions. The number of wires here is not very large, and the maximum power supply means that it is not intended for assembling high-end systems with several video cards.

It is worth noting that all SATA connectors are angled (usually the last connector on the cable is “straight”, but here both connectors on the peripheral power cables have a different type of connector), which may not be very convenient when connecting drives located on the back side of the system base board or similar surface.

The distribution of connectors along the power cords here is not the most optimal, which can cause difficulties in providing power to several zones, especially if devices need to be connected at long distances from the power supply. However, for typical systems with a pair of drives such difficulties are unlikely. Again, in our case, the power supply was used in a mini-PC.

A positive point is the partial use of ribbon wires, which increases convenience both during assembly and subsequent operation.

The power supply has an active power factor correction and supports a wide range of input voltages from 100 to 240 volts. This ensures stable operation of the power supply even at reduced voltage in the electrical network, which does not reach standard values.

The main semiconductor components are placed on two medium-sized radiators. The first of them contains elements of the power factor corrector and the main AC inverter, and the second contains rectifiers.

The power supply is built on the CWT platform.

This platform is not the most advanced: it uses group stabilization of the +5VDC and +12VDC channels, as well as a separate stabilizer for +3.3VDC based on a magnetic amplifier. This is a typical solution for products in the lower segment of budget power supplies.

In the power supply, capacitors under the Elite brand predominate in low-voltage circuits. In addition, the standby power supply circuit uses containers from Nippon Chemi Con. For a budget model, this is a very good quality of components.

The power supply has a 120 mm Yate Loon D12SH-12 fan, the manufacturer of which specifies a rotation speed of 2200 rpm. However, the information on the XPG website indicates the maximum fan speed in this power supply is 1600 rpm. The fan runs on a plain bearing and, according to the manufacturer, can operate without problems for three years. The connection is made via a two-wire connector, which simplifies the process of replacing the fan if necessary.

Next, we move on to an instrumental study of the electrical characteristics of the power source using a multifunctional stand and other equipment.

The deviation of the output voltages from the nominal value is color coded as follows:

The initial test involves using the power supply at its maximum power for a long time. This test helps ensure that the device operates reliably. In this case, the testing was divided into several stages to avoid possible problems such as overheating of connectors due to their insufficient number.

The power supply is truly capable of operating at its maximum declared power for a long time. However, in a real system, achieving this maximum power will be difficult due to the limited number of power connectors for video cards and load restrictions on the +3.3VDC and +5VDC channels.

The cross-load characteristic (CLC) measures the deviations in voltage values depending on the load on the power source. In a graph where one axis represents the maximum power on the 3.3V and 5V buses, and the other axis represents the maximum power on the 12V bus, each point represents a measured voltage value, marked with a specific color, reflecting the deviation from the nominal value.

The cross-load characteristic (CLC) allows you to determine the permissible load level, especially for the +12VDC channel. When the load power exceeds 500 W via the +12VDC channel, deviations of the effective voltage values from the nominal value are observed at a level of more than 5%. With a typical power distribution, when the load is about 300 W on the +12VDC channel, deviations from the nominal do not exceed 3%. Deviations along the +5VDC channel remain within 3% towards increasing values.

The following test is designed to determine the maximum power that can be supplied through the corresponding connectors with a normal voltage deviation of 3 or 5 percent from the nominal voltage.

In the case of a video card with a single power connector, the maximum power over the +12VDC channel is at least 130 W with a deviation within 3% and at least 150 W with a deviation within 5%.

In the case of a video card with two power connectors, the maximum power over the +12VDC channel is about 170 W with a deviation within 3% and at least 250 W with a deviation within 5%. There is a high probability that using powerful video cards with such a power supply will be problematic. In our case, the power supply was used in a computer with a Moore Threads MTT S80 video card, which had a load consumption of no more than 170 W.

When loaded through the processor power connector, the maximum power through the +12VDC channel is about 150 W with a deviation within 3% and at least 250 W with a deviation within 5%. For budget systems this should be enough.

In the case of a motherboard, the maximum power on the +12VDC channel is at least 60 W with a deviation of 3% and at least 150 W with a deviation within 5%. Since the board itself consumes within 10 W on this channel, high power may be required to power expansion cards — for example, for video cards without an additional power connector, which usually have a consumption within 75 W.

Evaluating the efficiency of computer power supplies can be done in two ways. The first method is based on considering the power supply as a separate device, where the current and voltage at the output are measured. However, this approach, although it allows you to obtain data for each specific power supply, does not reflect real operating conditions, since in reality the power supply is used with a limited number of connectors, and not all at once. Another way is to evaluate efficiency in the form of coefficient of performance (COP), which shows the efficiency of converting electrical energy. However, for most users, efficiency is a purely technical parameter that does not directly affect the functionality of the system unit.

A more practical and useful approach to assessing power supply efficiency is based on measuring actual power consumption and power dissipation, which allows you to determine the difference in power consumption between different power supply models. By calculating the cost of consumed electricity, we can draw conclusions about the economic feasibility of purchasing a specific power supply model. This method allows you to estimate the difference in the cost of operating a system unit with different power sources and conduct an analysis over a long period of time.

Based on the research data, we have identified several typical options for power, correlating them with the number of connectors, which brings the method of measuring efficiency closer to the actual operating conditions of system units. This approach allows you to compare the efficiency of different power supplies under the same conditions.

The results obtained look like this:

This model cannot boast of high efficiency.

In our low-load efficiency rating, this model was at the very bottom, although not in last place.

In this case, throughout the entire power range, the thermal load of the capacitors is at a low level, which can be assessed positively.

When measuring the noise level of power supplies, the following technique was used: the power supply was installed on a flat surface with the fan pointing upward. At a distance of 0.35 meters above it there was a measuring microphone of the Oktava 110A-Eco sound level meter, which was used to measure the noise level. The load on the power supply was carried out using a special stand operating in silent mode. The power supply was operated at constant power for 20 minutes, after which the noise level was measured.

This measurement method allows you to estimate the noise level of the power supply, taking into account conditions close to a desktop installation of a system unit with a power supply installed. Increasing the distance to the noise source or the presence of soundproofing barriers can also reduce the noise level at the control point, which affects acoustic comfort.

In the process of assessing the noise level of power supplies, we took into account various factors. With a power output of up to 400 W, this power supply generates average noise levels for a desktop installation. If it is placed further, under a desk or in a bottom-mounted cabinet, the perceived noise level will be below average. During the daytime in residential areas it can be unnoticeable from a distance of a meter or more, and in an office it can be even less noticeable due to the usually increased background noise. However, at night the noise may be more noticeable and interfere with sleep.

As the output power increases, the noise increases significantly. For example, at 500W it approaches 40dBA when placed on a tabletop, which is considered high noise. At 600 W, the noise reaches 48 dBA, which is a high level and can cause discomfort in the home.

The evaluation also measured the noise of the power supply electronics. The difference in noise level between the power supply being turned on and off within 5 dBA indicates normal acoustic properties. However, with a difference of more than 10 dBA, there may be some defects that can be heard from a distance of about half a meter. There is virtually no electronic noise in standby mode, and its overall level can be characterized as relatively low.

These measurements and evaluations allow us to evaluate the comfort of using a power supply at various power levels and its impact on the sound background under various conditions of use.

The acoustic performance of the XPG Probe 600W power supply is within the typical range for products in this price category. However, it is worth noting that when operating at a power above 400 W, the noise becomes too high, which can create discomfort. However, at loads below this mark, the noise level can be quite acceptable.

It is recommended to purchase this power supply for systems whose power consumption does not exceed 300 W. This will avoid significant noise levels during operation of the power supply. It is worth considering that the load capacity of the +12VDC channel and the individual load capacity of the video adapter channel are not high, so for systems with higher power requirements it is better to choose another model.

The power supply wires are of moderate length, but the range of connectors can be assessed as somewhat limited. For a dual-drive system this will usually be sufficient, but more complex builds may require an expanded set of connectors.

In general, this power supply model offers satisfactory consumer characteristics, but requires consideration of the characteristics of its load capacity and noise level when choosing for a specific system.

The XPG Probe 600W power supply is suitable for powering entry-level gaming systems with one average graphics card or office computers with a total power of up to 450 W. However, it is not necessary to purchase a 600 W power supply for such systems: models with a power of 400-450 W can fully satisfy the needs of entry-level gaming systems, and even 300 W can be enough for an office computer. The XPG Probe 600W power supply performed adequately under typical operating conditions and withstood long periods of high load operation, which seems to be a positive aspect. Although the capacitors and fan are budget, they appear to be quality and should last for several years.