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- Date:
- Monday , July 21, 2008
- Author:
- Paul Johnson
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Koolance PSU-1300ATX-12N Liquid Cooled Power Supply
We put the screws to Koolance's new 1300 watt power supply that takes advantage of being fully immersed in a non-conductive cooling liquid. Yes, we test at 100% load and 8-hour Torture Tests! Then we tear it apart to show you the insides. We almost cried.
Build Quality
As we already know from Koolance’s packaging, and the unit’s product page, the power supply features a liquid cooled design that requires a “compatible” Koolance liquid cooling product. This is not the first time we have seen a unit cooled in this manner as the Koolance 1200w had a radiator/fan mounted outside the case. However, the power supply and incubator will still be heating the coolant to the same temperature as other power supplies in our review process so the liquid cooling system will in essence have to overcome most of the same problems but does benefit by being able to do it with a stream of cooler room temperature air (~25c). At the same time, the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient, not necessarily its sound level or form factor.
External Build Quality
It is a rare thing that we get a power supply in that makes us stop and just look at it in a somewhat amazed manner. This is especially true once we have seen a specific platform a certain number of times as most units come from the same few OEM's with few truly distinguishing features. The Koolance 1300w unit however, made me stop and really just look at it for a few minutes to take in just how exceptional this unit is physically. The exterior finish of the unit coupled with its considerable heft and unorthodox cooling scheme put this unit into an elite field of units that offer something that makes the unit one of a kind. The external build quality of the Koolance 1300w is simply immaculate with its mirrored and windowed design that is completed by a honeycombed effect and blue internal LED. While normally we would look to the fan as a dominating feature, this unit is not air cooled so there is no fan but the rear of the unit does feature a stack of fins that are connected to internal coolant system along with the power switch and AC receptacle. The front of the unit features the fully modular interface, but to our slight disappointment there is no designation of which 12v rail feeds which of the connectors. Also included here is the header for connecting this unit to your liquid cooling system so that you can monitor the internal temperature.
One thing that is readily apparent that may be a bit of a hindrance to some users is that the Koolance 1300w comes in at a very long ~9 1/2 inches to the rear of the unit and 11 inches to the back of the drain plugs. With these dimensions users need to take note of this when installing this unit in certain cases. The modular cables for the Koolance 1300w are all very well sleeved in black mesh and provide a serviceable length of ~20 inches.
Internal Build Quality
DO NOT OPEN THE KOOLANCE 1300W POWER SUPPLY. YOU WILL DAMAGE THE UNIT AND ADVERSELY IMPACT ITS OPERATION.
Once we open the Koolance 1300w, we see the unit is encased in a clear plastic housing that contains the non-conductive liquid coolant. Once we flip the unit over we see the input filtering, the Hydra-pack, and the PCB that houses the fan header we saw on the rear of the unit all placed on a metal tray with a plastic guard in place. At this point we also see the front side of the modular interface which is part of the secondary and its implementation is extremely well done. Many modular interfaces we have seen have been somewhat sloppy and hap hazard with their construction but this particular one is clean and meticulously fabricated.
Sliding the metal plate that houses the input filtering and Hydra-pack out of the way reveals a modified CWT PUC power supply. The most obvious modifications to the design are readily apparent to the rear of frame as they include the coolant input, pump, and other assorted liquid cooling necessities. As with previous CWT PUC power supplies, there are actually three power supplies in this housing with those being the +5vsb and the two 12v power supplies that sit next to one another. Each 12v power supply then produces one of the minor voltages (5v or 3.3v) by a DC-DC VRM. The primary capacitors used on both sides are Nippon Chemi-con capacitors rated at 390uF 400v 85c. In most units the primary is not the hottest section and 85c components are certainly sufficient. In this particular power supply this goes doubly as if the unit gets hot enough for the temperature rating of the capacitors to come into play in shortening the lifespan of the unit users have other problems as this heat is in their liquid cooling loop as well. The secondary of the unit is apparently unchanged from what we have seen from other CWT PUC units that feature standard capacitors. On this unit these capacitors are provided by Nippon Chemi-con like the primary capacitors with a few solid capacitors being featured in auxiliary roles (most notable on the DC-DC VRM cards).
Build Quality Summary
If nothing else good comes from this unit today it has to be said that the Koolance 1300w reminds me of a time when quality construction of products that showed care and commitment was key to manufacturers and everything wasn't a race to the bottom of price, composition, and time with good enough being the measuring stick of choice. The fit and finish of this unit is just immaculate and it simply stands out among all the other CWT PUC based power supplies on the market because of all the extra attention Koolance has put in this unit. The component selection is certainly top notch with the unit being filled with Nippon Chemi-con capacitors on a very good power supply design. Certainly the Koolance 1300w is starting off testing as the most impressive power supply we have seen to date when it comes to the apparent care that went into its construction.