HARDWARE

Mini-ITX System Cases - Four Compact Versions (Part 4)

5/31/2013 9:23:12 AM

Foxconn FX-250T power supply

The accompanying power supply is another difference between the RS-224 and the RS-338 (L). In spite of the form factor (TFX), the installation method and the available power are the same, the PSU is still remarkably different, both in the appearance and specifications.

 

The PSU

The PSU

The protrusion of the PSU’s case helps carry a fan with the standard thickness of 25 mm instead of 15 mm in the other models. The downside is that this PSU limits the size of the cooling system in an expansion card.

The Foxconn FX-250T is a wireless network system for fans instead of going out from vents in the PSU as others (except for the InWin IP-AD160-2 with a 40mm fan located on the outside).

The honeycomb mesh on the PSU

The honeycomb mesh on the PSU

The outside of the PSU has a standard honeycomb mesh and a standard 230/115V switch.

The PSU’s specifications

The PSU’s specifications

Having the same capacity as the Channel Well DSI250P (used in the RS-224 chassis), the Foxconn FX-250T (FSP mentioned on the label is the actual manufacturer of it) with significantly lower load capacity of the +12V range (168 compared to 216 watts) and lower load capacity in a range than +3.3 V and +5 V range

In fact, the actual input power of this PSU is not higher than 200 watts because it is difficult for you to load in the range of +3.3 V and +5 V more than 30 watts no matter what components you can install.

The PSU is equipped with the cables and the following connectors:

·         A mainboard cable with a 24-pin connector (34 cm)

·         A CPU cable with a 4-pin connector (32 cm)

·         One cable with two power connectors and one PATA plug in software (34 +15 +15 cm)

·         One cable with two SATA power connectors (34 +15 +15 cm)

We have too many ports here. We doubt whether anyone will need two PATA power connectors for a modern compact computer. And if you have an old-styled floppy drive, you will hardly be able to connect it due to lack of space for an electrical connector between the PSU and the floppy drive slot.

Working with our APC SmartUPS SC 620, the PSU can switch to the UPS battery when charging to 225 watts. You will immediately see why the load is so low although there is no active PFC.

The voltage

The voltage

The voltage is stable enough. The +12 V range falls within 5% when the load is low in the range of +12 V and high in the range of +3.3 V and +5 V while the voltage of the 3.3 V + range gives the same results in the opposite situation. However, the voltage will not deviate more than 3% compared to the levels specified in typical load ranges.

The graph describing the voltage

The graph describing the voltage

The line describes the high-frequency voltage when the load is within the permissible range but the voltage at +5 V and +12 V appears to oscillate at a lower frequency than what is represented by the shape of their graphs.

The graph describing the voltage

The graph describing the voltage

The line describing the voltage output at the double mains frequency is so terrible. The result of it for many times is as strong as the industrial standards allow. This is probably why the PSU cannot switch to the UPS battery at full load.

However, the weak ripple weakens quickly when the load decreases, which in accordance with industrial standards at 215-220 watts. It was very weak at 200 watts load (and we do want to remind you that you can hardly get anything more from this PSU due to its low load at +12 V range).

The graph describing the voltage

The graph describing the voltage

The Foxconn FX-250T is quite effective for a small PSU: 84.2% and a maximum of 80% at typical load. It was only in the load on the 200 watts (which is almost impossible in practice) and less than 60 watts (as with most other resources).

The graph describing the voltage

The graph describing the voltage

The Foxconn FX-250T is rather vague when it comes to its noise level. On one hand, it is only a 100 watts load when its fan reaches the same speed as that of the Antec FP-150-8. But its fan accelerates faster, reaching to the same speed at maximum speed at 130 watt with the Antec, and will climb to 175 watts at 2950 RPM. And that speed is then maintained until the full load.

Thus, the Foxconn RS-338 chassis (L) is quiet enough when combined with components that consume less power. But if they need more power than what the PSU can supply, the noise level will rise a nasty way.

Standby source

Standby source

The standby source can supply at default at 2 A, but there will not be any reserves at all.

Overall, the Foxconn FX-250T PSU is efficient, quiet at average load and stable. We are just not happy with its exaggerated output power (we do not have any complaints about the parameters of it if the voltage to 200 watts is specified on its label instead of 250 watts), a number of outdated ports (cable wired up almost all the space is worth), and the noise level at high loads.

 

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