Deepcool PQ850M 850W (R-PQ850M-FA0B) is a modular power supply designed for use in powerful server and gaming PCs. A calibrated cooling system, 80 PLUS Gold certificate, support for hybrid mode and a number of other interesting “things” are all features of this model. However, they are not limited to the above.
Package
To begin with, the user will receive the product in a rather compact cardboard box made from recycled materials. The latter solution, in my opinion, looks even more impressive than the bright design. However, attention was also paid to the exterior, though it’s not the walls of the box that have been decorated, but the supercover on top. Here you will find an illustration of the product and a considerable amount of data, both about the device itself and its tactical and technical characteristics. However, I will dwell on this data in more detail in the next section of the review. Don’t switch to it!
Information from the box walls
I am sure that it is not a secret for anyone – the box of a product is something that is usually sent for disposal immediately (or almost immediately) after unpacking the product. But even if the packaging of Deepcool PQ850M 850W suffers a similar fate, I still recommend spending some time studying the information on the walls, because it is a good guide to the features.
In our case, as I mentioned above, all the data is not on the walls of the box itself, but on the brightly colored supercover. There is an illustration of the product on the front, as well as the 80 PLUS GOLD label. I’m sure there’s no need to explain what the latter means. In addition to all of the above, there is the name of the power supply unit, as well as a note that the user is dealing with a modular type product. Well, in my opinion, this is another plus of PQ850M 850W.
The most notable thing is the table of load characteristics at the back. It also contains a fairly complete list of technical specifications, a lot of information about the manufacturer and other interesting data, which, after reading, will give you a fairly meaningful idea, so to speak, of the model’s “skills”. Well, I will tell you about how interesting they turned out to be.
Package contents
Having familiarized ourselves with the packaging and data from the walls, it’s time to proceed to unpacking. So, what is waiting for the user inside the box besides, of course, the Deepcool PQ850M 850W power supply (R-PQ850M-FA0B):
- a set of modular cables;
- mains power cord;
- an envelope with a printed user manual;
- a compact tester for checking the power supply’s performance without the need to
- install it in the case (the manual is included);
- fixing screws;
- a set of reusable ties.
All of the above is placed in a separate compact box, also made of cardboard. By definition, the format is not new, but it is justified – it is convenient.
Technical specifications of Deepcool PQ850M 850W
- PSU form factor – ATX, EPS;
- Total power – 850 W;
- Power on +3.3 V and +5 V channels – 100 W;
- Power by channels, total power by +12 V1, 12V2 – 840 W;
- Output current (A), by voltage
- +5 V – 20,
- +3.3 V – 20,
- +12 V1 – 70 (total + 12V),
- -12V – 0,3,
- +5 Vsb – 3,
- Number of connectors for connection:
- Type of motherboard connector – 20 + 4pin,
- CPU power connector type – 2×4 + 4pin,
- HDD (IDE) – 5,
- SATA – 10,
- Additional power connectors for video cards – 3×6 + 2pin,
- Input voltage – 100-240 W;
- PFC (Power Factor Correction) function;
- Standard – 80 PLUS GOLD;
- EFFICIENCY – 90%;
- Dimensions – 150x86x140 mm;
- Fan – 1x120mm.
Deepcool PQ850M versions
The Deepcool PQ850M power supply is available for purchase in four versions with a power of 650W, 750W, 850W and 1000W. It’s easy to see from the name that we tested the penultimate of the “four” – the 850W model. It is its capabilities that will be discussed further.
Case materials
Like other models of Deepcool power supplies, the PQ850M case also uses a metal chassis with a thickness of 0.5 mm. The material is painted black; there are no complaints about the quality of the paint job.
The dimensions of the product are classic – 150x86x140 mm, so it will fit into any ATX chassis without any problems.
An interesting feature of the case, both decorative and functional to some extent, is the ventilation mesh, which is noticeable in size. It looks unusual at least.
The illustrations of the product for this section will tell you the best about the arrangement of plastic parts.
Impressions of the build quality
There are no questions about the build quality – everything is clear, there is a reasonable “balance” between the materials used and the level of their fit. As a result, it’s neat, stylish, balanced and without unnecessary pathos. In short, everything is as I like it.
To the question of ergonomics
I mentioned the ventilation mesh earlier – it’s on top of the design.
Below it is a rather large sticker with information about the manufacturer, serial number, labeling, and other technical “things”. A lot of space is allocated for the table of electrical parameters. The manufacturer’s logo plus a note 80 PLUS GOLD are located separately.
It is easy to notice another ventilation panel behind. It has a jack for the network cable (let me remind you that it is included in the package), as well as a power switch to the HYBRID MODE button – the so-called semi-passive mode of operation.
And one more panel, which is also worth paying attention to, with connectors for cables. Everything is labeled, compact and convenient – you will not be disappointed with such an “acquaintance”; I had the opportunity to see it personally.
Cables
The fully modular cable system is one of the advantages of this power supply. What is the set itself:
- 1×20+4 pins;
- 2× ATX12V (4+4 pins) – CPU power supply;
- 3×6+2 pins – additional power supply for PCIe cards;
- 10 × SATA;
- 5 × Molex.
Among other features of the cables, it is worth noting the good flexibility of SATA and Molex configuration. In most cases, this feature will allow you to use only one cable of this “pair”.
Component base
The system is soldered on a green board and cooled by a HongHua HA1225H12F-Z fan. The latter has a hydrodynamic bearing and a nominal rotation speed of 2200 rpm.
The input filter circuit itself includes a fairly typical set of components, consisting of two in-phase chokes, two CC capacitors, as well as four CYs and a varistor.
It’s easy to see that some of the input filter elements are unsoldered at the power cable inlet.
All electronic capacitors that I noticed on the main PCB are Nippon Chemi-con products. By the way, this example clearly proves the compliance with the manufacturer’s statements about the use of exclusively Japanese capacitors, which are designed to work even at a temperature of 105 degrees Celsius.
Capacitors of KY and W series are used in the input power circuits.
The “can” at the input belongs to the KMR series.
In addition to all of the above, it is also worth paying attention to the use of several solid-state capacitors.
As a result, we have good impressions of the component block and the soldering itself without any reservations or discounts.
Protection
Deepcool PQ850M is automatically protected by the following protocols:
- OVP – overvoltage protection;
- OPP – over-power protection;
- OCP – overcurrent protection;
- OTP – over temperature protection;
- SCP – short circuit protection.
Capabilities under load
Next, you will see the efficiency values obtained in a 115 W network – power level 10/20/50/100%. The results are 88/91/91.48/88.43%, respectively. I note that in a 220W network, these figures will be 1-2% higher, which is fully consistent with the level of the specified certificate.
As for the cross-load characteristics of the unit on the 5V line, they are perfect, deviations are less than 1% of the nominal value over the entire load range and quite good at 12V. In this case, the deviation is less than 2%. The deviations of 3.3 V at minimum loads do not exceed the 5% allowed by the standard.
Conclusions and summary
In the end, we have an example of a really high-quality power supply with a good component base, excellent soldering, good cooling and noteworthy output efficiency. And in combination with a 10-year warranty, it is also a great investment for years to come that will bring you good results at a cost that will not change for you.
Deepcool PQ850M costs 6300 UAH ($170).
