Aerocool V12XT-600 Power Supply Review

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

The V12XT-600 is an 80 Plus Bronze-certified 600 W unit with a modular cabling system, from Aerocool. For some reason this unit is sold only outside the United States.

This power supply is manufactured by HEC/Compucase.

Figure 1: Aerocool V12XT-600 power supply

Figure 2: Aerocool V12XT-600 power supply

The Aerocool V12XT-600 is 6.3” (160 mm) deep, using a 140 mm fan on its bottom. The fan part number DFS132512H, makes us believe that it is a sleeve bearing model manufactured by YongLinXing Electronics, even though the brand, “Aerocool,” is printed on it. The fan glows in blue when turned on.

This unit features active PFC, of course.

It comes with a modular cabling system with six connectors, two red ones for video card power cables and four white ones for peripheral and SATA power connectors. What is really interesting about this unit is that its modular cabling system has blue LEDs illuminating the white connectors and orange LEDs illuminating the red connectors of the modular cabling system. Three cables are permanently attached to the power supply. The cables included are the following:

• Main motherboard cable with a 20/24-pin connector, 18.5” (47 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply)
• One cable with one ATX12V connector, 18.9” (48 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply)
• One cable with one EPS12V connector, 18.9” (48 cm) long (permanently attached to the power supply)
• Two cables, each with one six-pin connector and one six/eight-pin connector for video cards per cable, 19.7” (50 cm) to the first connector and 4” (10 cm) between connectors (modular cabling system)
• Two cables, each with four SATA power connectors per cable, 20” (51 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors (modular cabling system)
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors, 19.3” (49 cm) to the first connector and 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors (modular cabling system)
• One cable with three standard peripheral power connectors and one floppy disk drive power connector, 19.3” (49 cm) to the first connector and 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors (modular cabling system)

All wires are 18 AWG, except the orange (+3.3 V) wires in the main motherboard cable, which are thicker (16 AWG).

The cable configuration is perfect, and in fact, we rarely see 600 W power supplies with four video card auxiliary power connectors. Of course, we prefer to see these connectors installed on separate cables.

Figure 3: Cables

Now let’s take an in-depth look inside this power supply.

[nextpage title=”A Look Inside The Aerocool V12XT-600″]

We decided to disassemble this power supply to see what it looks like inside, how it is designed, and what components are used. Please read our Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies tutorial to understand how a power supply works and to compare this power supply to others.

In this page, we will have an overall look, while in the following pages we will discuss the quality and ratings of the components used in detail.

Figure 4: Overall look

Figure 5: Overall look

Figure 6: Overall look

Figure 7: Printed circuit board

[nextpage title=”Transient Filtering Stage”]

As we have mentioned in other articles and reviews, the first place that we like to look when opening a power supply to have a hint about its quality is its filtering stage. The recommended components for this stage are two ferrite coils, two ceramic capacitors (Y capacitors, usually blue), one metalized polyester capacitor (X capacitor), and one MOV (Metal-Oxide Varistor). Very low-end power supplies use fewer components, usually removing the MOV and the first coil.

In this power supply, this stage is flawless. It has two X capacitors, two Y capacitors and one MOV more than the minimum required, plus one X capacitor after the rectifying bridge.

Figure 8: Transient filtering stage (part 1)

Figure 9: Transient filtering stage (part 2)

In the next page we will have a more detailed discussion about the components used in the Aerocool V12XT-600.

[nextpage title=”Primary Analysis”]

On this page we will take an in-depth look at the primary stage of the Aerocool V12XT-600. For a better understanding, please read our Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies tutorial.

This power supply uses one PBU1005 rectifying bridge on its primary, and it is connected to an individual heatsink. This component supports up to 10 A at 100° C, so in theory, you would be able to pull up to 1,150 W from a 115 V power grid. Assuming 80% efficiency, the bridge would allow this unit to deliver up to 920 W w
ithout burning itself out. Of course, we are only talking about these components, and the real limit will depend on all the other components from this power supply.

Figure 10: Rectifying bridge

The active PFC circuit uses two SPP20N60C3 MOSFETs, each one capable of delivering up to 20.7 A at 25° C or up to 13.1 A at 100° C in continuous mode (note the difference temperature makes), or up to 62.1 A in pulse mode at 25° C. These transistors present a 190 mΩ resistance when turned on, a characteristic called RDS(on). The lower this number the better, meaning that the transistors will waste less power and the power supply will achieve a higher efficiency.

Figure 11: Active PFC transistors and diode

The electrolytic capacitor used to filter the output of the active PFC circuit is from CapXon and labeled at 85° C.

In the switching section, another two SPP20N60C3 power MOSFET transistors are used in the traditional two-transistor forward configuration. The specs for these transistors were already published above.

Figure 12: Switching transistors

The primary is controlled by the famous CM6800 active PFC/PWM combo.

Figure 13: Active PFC/PWM combo controller

Now let’s take a look at the secondary of this power supply.

[nextpage title=”Secondary Analysis”]

This power supply has five Schottky rectifiers attached to the secondary heatsink.

The maximum theoretical current each line can deliver is given by the formula I / (1 – D), where D is the duty cycle used and I is the maximum current supported by the rectifying diode. Just as an exercise, we can assume a typical duty cycle of 30%.

The +12 V output is generated using two SBR40U60CT Schottky rectifiers connected in parallel, each one having current limit of 40 A (20 A per internal diode at 100° C, 0.57 V maximum voltage drop). This gives us a maximum theoretical current of 57 A or 686 W for the +12 V output.

The +5 V output is generated using one SBR30A40CT Schottky rectifier, which is able to handle up to 30 A (15 A per internal diode at 110° C, 0.50 V maximum voltage drop). This gives us a maximum theoretical current of 21 A or 107 W for the +5 V output.

The +3.3 V output is generated using another two SBR30A40CT Schottky rectifiers connected in parallel. This gives us a maximum theoretical current of 43 A or 141 W for the +3.3 V output.

Of course these are all theoretical figures. The real current limits will depend on other components, especially on the coil used.

Figure 14: +3.3 V, +5 V and +12 V rectifiers

The outputs are monitored by a WT7525 integrated circuit. This circuit supports over voltage (OVP), under voltage (UVP), and over current (OCP) protections. This circuit offers four over current protection channels (one for +3.3 V, one for +5 V, and two for +12 V), correctly matching the number of +12 V rails advertised by the manufacturer (two).

Figure 15: Monitoring circuit

The electrolytic capacitors available in the secondary are from Teapo and labeled at 105° C.

[nextpage title=”Power Distribution”]

In Figure 16, you can see the power supply label containing all the power specs.

Figure 16: Power supply label

This power supply has two +12 V rails, we can confirm that the over current protection (OCP) circuit supports two +12 V channels, and the unit has the necessary “shunts” (current sensors), as shown in Figure 17. The +12V1 rail uses two “shunts” connected in parallel while the +12V2 rail uses one, and that is why this unit has three “shunts” instead of only two.

Figure 17: Current sensors (“shunts”)

The available rails are distributed like this:

• +12V1 (solid yellow wire): All cables but the ATX12V and EPS12V
• +12V2 (yellow/blue wire): ATX12V and EPS12V connectors

This distribution separates the CPU (ATX12V/EPS12V connectors) from the video cards.

Now let’s see if this power supply can really deliver 600 W.

[nextpage title=”Load Tests”]

We conducted several tests with this power supply, as described in the article, Hardware Secrets Power Supply Test Methodology.

First we tested this power supply with five different load patterns, trying to pull around 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of its labeled maximum capacity (actual percentage used listed under “% Max Load”), watching how the reviewed unit behaved under each load. In the table below we list the load patterns we used and the results for each load.

If you add all the power listed for each test, you may find a different value than what is posted under “Total” below. Since each output can vary slightly (e.g., the +5 V output working at +5.10 V), the actual total amount of power being delivered is slightly different than the calculated value. In the “Total” row
we are using the real amount of power being delivered, as measured by our load tester.

The +12VA and +12VB inputs listed below are the two +12 V independent inputs from our load tester. During this test the +12VA input was connected to the power supply +12V1 rail, while the +12VB input was connected to the power supply +12V2 rail (EPS12V connector).

Input	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	4 A (48 W)	9 A (108 W)	13 A (156 W)	17.5 A (210 W)	22.5 A (270 W)
+12VB	4 A (48 W)	9 A (108 W)	13 A (156 W)	17.5 A (210 W)	22 A (264 W)
+5V	1 A (5 W)	2 A (10 W)	4 A (20 W)	6 A (30 W)	8 A (40 W)
+3.3 V	1 A (3.3 W)	2 A (6.6 W)	4 A (13.2 W)	6 A (19.8 W)	8 A (26.4)
+5VSB	1 A (5 W)	1 A (5 W)	1.5 A (7.5 W)	2 A (10 W)	3 A (15 W)
-12 V	0.5 A (6 W)	0.5 A (6 W)	0.5 A (6 W)	0.5 A (6 W)	0.5 A (6 W)
Total	113.6 W	238.4 W	350.3 W	471.9 W	598.4 W
% Max Load	18.9%	39.7%	58.4%	78.7%	99.7%
Room Temp.	43.5° C	42.9° C	44.8° C	46.3° C	48.4° C
PSU Temp.	41.0° C	41.3° C	42.3° C	44.6° C	46.0° C
Voltage Regulation	Failed in -12 V	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
Ripple and Noise	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
AC Power	136.1 W	279.1 W	415.5 W	572.8 W	753.0 W
Efficiency	83.5%	85.4%	84.3%	82.4%	79.5%
AC Voltage	114.1 V	112.9 V	109.9 V	107.6 V	105.1 V
Power Factor	0.993	0.975	0.984	0.991	0.994
Final Result	Fail	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass

The Aerocool V12XT-600 can really deliver its labeled wattage at high temperatures.

Efficiency was high (85.4% peak) when we pulled from 20% to 80% (i.e., from 120 W to 480 W) of its labeled maximum power. At full load (600 W), however, efficiency dropped to 79.5%. As we always point out, Ecos Consulting, the company behind the 80 Plus certification, tests power supplies at 23° C, and we test power supplies at 45° or higher, and efficiency drops with temperature. So we believe our results to be more realistic.

Voltage regulation was faulty during test one, with the -12 V output above the maximum allowed, at -10.68 V (the minimum allowed is -10.80 V, or 10%). During all other tests, voltages were inside specifications.

Noise and ripple, though always inside specs, were very high during test five, with the +12 V outputs almost touching the 120 mV limit and the +3.3 V output almost touching the 50 mV limit. Below you can see the results for the power supply outputs during test number five. The maximums allowed are 120 mV for +12 V and -12 V and 50 mV for +5 V and +3.3 V. All values are peak-to-peak figures.

Figure 18: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 598.4 W (116.4 mV)

Figure 19: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 598.4 W (118.6 mV)

Figure 20: +5V rail during test five at 598.4 W (27.6 mV)

Figure 21: +3.3 V rail during test five at 598.4 W (44.8 mV)

Let’s see if we can pull even more from the Aerocool V12XT-600.

[nextpage title=”Overload Tests”]

Below you can see the maximum we could pull from this power supply. If we tried to increase one amp at any given output the unit would shut down, showing that one of its protections kicked in, which is always the desired behavior. During this test, noise level at +12 V outputs was above the maximum allowed, at 132 mV.

Input	Overload Test
+12VA	24 A (288 W)
+12VB	24 A (288 W)
+5V	12 A (60 W)
+3.3 V	12 A (39.6 W)
+5VSB	3 A (15 W)
-12 V	0.5 A (6 W)
Total	667.8 W
% Max Load	111.3%
Room Temp.	47.6° C
PSU Temp.	46.9° C
AC Power	854.0 W
Efficiency	78.2%
AC Voltage	106.9 V
Power Factor	0.995

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The Aerocool V12XT-600 power supply specs include:

• Nominal labeled power: 600 W
• Measured maximum power: 667.8 W at 47.6° C
• Labeled efficiency: up to 85%, 80 Plus Bronze certification
• Measured efficiency: Between 79.5% and 85.4% at 115 V (nominal, see complete results for actual voltage)
• Active PFC: Yes
• Modular Cabling System: Yes, partial
• Motherboard Power Connectors: One 20/24-pin connector, one ATX12V connector, and one EPS12V connector (all permanently attached to the power supply)
• Video Card Power Connectors: Two cables with one six-pin connector and one six/eight-pin connector each (modular cabling system)
• SATA Power Connectors: Eight on two cables (modular cabling system)
• Peripheral Power Connectors: Six on two cables (modular cabling system)
• Floppy Disk Drive Power Connectors: One
• Protections: Over voltage (OVP), over current (OCP), and short-circuit (SCP) – although not listed by the manufacturer, this unit has under voltage protection (UVP)
• Warranty: Information not available
• Real Manufacturer: HEC/Compucase
• More Information: https://www.aerocool.com.tw
• Average price in the US: This product isn’t sold in the USA

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The Aerocool V12XT-600 appears to be an attractive power supply and can really deliver its labeled wattage, but its flaws add
up and prevent us from recommending it.

Efficiency really peaked at 85%, as promised by the manufacturer, but at full load its efficiency was below 80%. Since it has 80 Plus Bronze certification, it should present at least 82% efficiency at full load. As we always point out, Ecos Consulting, the company behind the 80 Plus certification, tests power supplies at 23° C, and we test power supplies at 45° or higher, and efficiency drops with temperature. So we believe our results to be more realistic.

Voltage regulation failed on the -12 V during our light load (20% load, meaning 120 W) test, but all other voltages were inside specs during all tests.

Although inside specs, noise and ripple were very high when the unit was delivering 600 W.

In summary, we think that there are better options on the market if you are looking for a good 600 W power supply (e.g., the OCZ ModXStream Pro 600 W, and the Cooler Master Silent Pro M 600 W).