Coolermaster Masterwatt Lite 600W 230V Review

[Microflop]

Does limiting the input to 230VAC really save that much in terms of cost compared to full-range when one already has APFC? Looking at the guts of this PSU I cannot really see any obvious savings.

With limiting on 230VAC you can build either a more efficient APFC for the same costs or a cheaper APFC by designing the APFC coil for the smaller input range.

BTW if you wonder whether the fan bearing is better than sleeve you have the proof. The 500W version feature a rifle bearing fan:

[Rexper]

So the bridge rectifier is still acceptable, even when considering overloading the power supply, power supply efficiency, and voltage dips at 240V AC.

So why do many manufacturers overrate that component so much?
For example, the CX450 has a 15A bridge rectifier. But for what benefits? When at most 750w would go through the primary side, which equates to ~4.4A at 120AC.

[Microflop]

But for what benefits?

Power losses. Some PSUs use two or even three bridge rectifier to lower the voltage drop across the diodes of the rectifier and thus the overrating lowers the power losses. That's why the active (boost) PFC comes to an end efficiency-wise because it has to use a bridge recitfier.

A PFC circuit like the totem pole PFC can replace the bridge rectifier thus it is more efficient

[Philipus II]

From cost perspective it's often cheaper to use bridge rectifier rated for higher current without heatsink than adding heatsink. Labour price in China is going up rather fast as well.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

When at most 750w would go through the primary side, which equates to ~4.4A at 120AC.

Wait until next week's review. Two parallel 25A parts on a 650W unit.

[ashiekh]

From cost perspective it's often cheaper to use bridge rectifier rated for higher current without heatsink than adding heatsink. Labour price in China is going up rather fast as well.

That will help bring back production

[cheapie]

Wait until next week's review. Two parallel 25A parts on a 650W unit.

Hopefully the other parts are pretty good in there too, with how warm that one's likely to get

[Philipus II]

That will help bring back production

Hm, not so sure about this. For PC component assembly it's not the regular workers salary which is keeping the jobs in China. Other countries in south east asia would offer much lwoer cost for workers. Even some EU countries have considerable lower minimum wage. From what I saw on my trips the Taiwanese and Chinese have all the know-how to assemble such products - we don't even have that in Europe/US any more. Also Chinese engineers are much cheaper than EU or US engineers. Most important is the existing local supply chain - parts factories and assembling companies are close. In the end the factories step by step reduce the need for workers. I saw Delta PSU assembly line with exactly one worker (the guy bringing away the palletts with finished goods) and 2-3 production engineers supervising.

[The_Assimilator]

due to my upcoming retirement from reviewing

What? No! Why???

Your reviews may get a little cheesy at times (and by a little I mean a lot), but they're far and away the best in the biz. I'm assuming there just isn't enough money in this to keep you doing it? Damn shame if that's the case.

[Oklahoma Wolf]

What? No! Why???

Your reviews may get a little cheesy at times (and by a little I mean a lot), but they're far and away the best in the biz. I'm assuming there just isn't enough money in this to keep you doing it? Damn shame if that's the case.

I've been doing the same thing week after week, month after month for 11 years. I'm now in my mid 40s, having not done much work of any note on my novels since LoTR was in theaters. It's just time to move on.