Contents
- 1Introducing the Cooler Master V650
- 1.1Packaging and accessories
- 2Connectors & cabling
- 2.1Casing & cooling
- 3Input filtering
- 4Primary side
- 4.1+5 V stand-by rail
- 5Secondary side
- 5.1Build quality
- 6Load testing
- 6.1Loading +5 V SB
- 6.2Hold-up time
- 6.3Combined loading
- 6.4Combined loading ripple
- 6.5Crossloading, overloading
- 6.6Crossloading, overloading ripple
- 6.7Fan speed, temperatures and noise
- 7Conclusion and evaluation
- 7.1Thanks
- 7.2Discussion
Introducing the Cooler Master V650
After having reviewed the Cooler Master V Semi Modular V550S unit in the past, (which is incidentally no longer being manufactured), we finally have a chance to look at the Vanguard series itself. This is the fully-modular version, which initially consisted of three Seasonic-made models (V850, V1000 and V1200). Later on, but still before production of the VS series ceased, the Vanguard series was expanded downwards so-to-speak with lower-wattage models, namely the V550, V650 and V750 models manufactured by Enhance Electronics. The V650 (RS-650-AFBA-G1) is the 650W version, and it is 80 PLUS Gold certified (@115 V) as are the other two. All three of them measure just 150 mm deep.
Cooler Master covers the V650 with a 5 year warranty, which is pretty much standard for this market segment. Though lately, just slightly falling on the shorter side of things as far as warranties go, with a couple of the competing brands offering 7-10 years. The current price is slightly over 3000 CZK (105 Euros in Germany, 120 USD in the US and 155 AUD in Australia). This is definitely priced in the high-end market segment.
The V650 shares today’s standard of being a wholly 12V internal unit, with its lone +12V output rail providing 54 A or a total of 648 W. The +3.3 and +5 V rails output 25 A and 22 A respectively through DC–DC buck converters. Their combined maximum is rated at 120 W. Other than that there are the standard values for the stand-by supply (2.5 A) and -12 V (0.3 A) rails. Cooler Master states that the V650 has a complete set of protections, including OCP and OTP. It seems no different from the V550S in this respect.
Packaging and accessories
The box that the V650 comes in is a medium-sized graphic cardboard box. It is very much like the VS box with a picture of the unit and a few badges advertising its most important features.
More information can be found on the back side where we have some graphs of the fan speed curve. It states that the unit stays at approximately 600 RPM up to 50% load and than slowly ramps up to 1200 RPM. There’s also an efficiency graph as well as pictures of the connectors.
On one of the sides we find two tables, one listing some general specifications and the other a power distribution table. The unit itself sits between two pieces of protective foam.
As for the extras, the packing is quite rich. Both the unit itself and the modular cabling come in nice textured bags. There is also a power cord, manual, zip ties and screws. I think this is worth two extra points.
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