FSP Raider 650 W Power Supply Review

[nextpage title=”Introduction”]

The Raider is the latest power supply series from FSP, featuring the 80 Plus Bronze certification and available in 450 W, 550 W, 650 W, and 750 W versions. Let’s see how the 650 W version fared on our tests.

The FSP Raider series uses the same platform as the Aurum Gold series, which is interesting, since the Aurum Gold series has the 80 Plus Gold certification.

Figure 1: FSP Raider 650 W power supply

Figure 2: FSP Raider 650 W power supply

The FSP Raider 650 W is 5.5” (140 mm) deep, using a 120 mm sleeve-bearing fan on its bottom (Yate Loon D12SH-12).

Figure 3: Fan

The reviewed power supply doesn’t have a modular cabling system. The SATA and peripheral power cables are not protected with nylon sleeves. This power supply comes with the following cables:

• Main motherboard cable with a 24-pin connector, 20.1” (51 cm) long
• One cable with two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector, 23.6” (60 cm) long
• Two cables, each with one six/eight-pin connector for video cards, 20.5” (52 cm) long, permanently attached to the power supply
• One cable with four SATA power connectors, 21.3” (54 cm) to the first connector and 2.4” (6 cm) between connectors
• One cable with two SATA power connectors, three standard peripheral power connectors, and one floppy disk drive power connector, 21.3” (54 cm) to the first connector, 5.9” (15 cm) between connectors

All wires are 18 AWG, which is the minimum recommended gauge. The cable configuration is adequate for a mainstream product.

Figure 4: Cables

Let’s now take an in-depth look inside this power supply.

[nextpage title=”A Look Inside the FSP Raider 650 W”]

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.

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

Figure 5: Top view

Figure 6: Front quarter view

Figure 7: Rear quarter view

Figure 8: The printed circuit board

[nextpage title=”Transient Filtering Stage”]

As we have mentioned in other articles and reviews, the first place we look when opening a power supply for 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 the transient filtering stage, this power supply has two Y capacitors, one X capacitor, and one ferrite coil more than the minimum required, but it doesn’t have an MOV, which is in charge of removing spikes coming from the power grid. However, according to FSP, the design used by this power supply doesn’t require an MOV.

Figure 9: Transient filtering stage (part 1)

Figure 10: Transient filtering stage (part 2)

On the next page, we will have a more detailed discussion about the components used in the FSP Raider 650 W.

[nextpage title=”Primary Analysis”]

On this page we will take an in-depth look at the primary stage of the FSP Raider 650 W. For a better understanding, please read our “Anatomy of Switching Power Supplies” tutorial.

This power supply uses one GBU1506 rectifying bridge, which is attached to an individual heatsink. This bridge supports up to 15 A at 100° C. So, in theory, you would be able to pull up to 1,725 W from a 115 V power grid. Assuming 80% efficiency, this bridge would allow this unit to deliver up to 1,380 W without burning itself out. Of course, we are only talking about this particular component. The real limit will depend on all the components combined in this power supply.

Figure 11: Rectifying bridge

The active PFC circuit uses two JCS18N50FH MOSFETs, each supporting up to 18 A at
25° C or 11 A at 100° C in continuous mode (see the difference temperature makes) or 72 A at 25° C in pulse mode. These transistors present a maximum 270 mΩ resistance when turned on, a characteristic called RDS(on). The lower the number the better, meaning that the transistor will waste less power, and the power supply will have a higher efficiency.

The output of the active PFC circuit is filtered by one 330 µF x 420 V electrolytic capacitor, from Teapo, labeled at 85° C.

Figure 12: Capacitor

In the switching section, this power supply uses the same configuration as FSP’s Aurum Gold units, called active clamp reset forward. The switching transistor is an SPA17N80C3 MOSFET, which supports up to 17 A at 25° C or 11 A at 100° C in continuous mode, or up to 51 A at 25° C in pulse mode, with a maximum RDS(on) of 290 mΩ. A second transistor (resetting transistor) is used to turn off the switching transistor and is controlled from the secondary side. The transistor used for this function is an FQPF3N80C.

Figure 13: Switching transistor, resetting transistor, active PFC diode, and active PFC transistors

The primary is managed by a custom-made active PFC/PWM controller called FSP6600D. Since this is a custom integrated circuit, no datasheet is available for it.

Figure 14: Active PFC/PWM controller

Let’s now take a look at the secondary of this power supply.

[nextpage title=”Secondary Analysis”]

The FSP Raider 650 W uses a synchronous design, meaning that the rectifiers were replaced with MOSFETs. Also, this power supply uses a DC-DC design, meaning that it is basically a +12 V power supply, with the +5 V and +3.3 V outputs being generated through two smaller switching power supplies connected to the +12 V rail. Both designs are used to increase efficiency.

The +12 V output uses two IPP057N06N MOSFETs, each supporting up to 45 A at 100° C in continuous mode or up to 180 A at 25° C in pulse mode, with a maximum RDS(on) of 5.7 mΩ.

Figure 15: The +12 V transistors

The DC-DC converters are located on the solder side of the printed circuit board and are controlled by another custom integrated circuit, FSP6601. Each converter uses a pair of STD95N3LLH6 MOSFETS, each supporting up to 80 A at 25° C or 61 A at 100° C in continuous mode, or up to 320 A at 25° C in pulse mode, with a maximum RDS(on) of 4.2 mΩ.

Figure 16: The DC-DC converters

Figure 17: Synchronous controller

The outputs of this power supply are monitored by a WT7579 integrated circuit. This chip supports over voltage (OVP), under voltage (UVP), overcurrent (OCP), and over temperature (OTP) protections. There are four +12 V over current protection channels, however, the manufacturer decided to use only one of them, making this unit a single +12 V rail design.

Figure 18: Monitoring circuit

The electrolytic capacitors from the secondary are also from Teapo, and labeled at 105° C, as usual.

Figure 19: Capacitors

[nextpage title=”Power Distribution”]

In Figure 20, you can see the power supply label containing all the power specs.

Figure 20: Power supply label

As you can see, this power supply has a single +12 V rail, so there is not much to talk about here.

How much power can this unit really deliver? Let’s find out.

[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 the behavior of the reviewed unit 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 powers listed for each test, you may find a different value than what is posted under “Total” below. Since each output can have a slight variation (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, both inputs were connected to the power supply’s single +12 V rail. (The power supply’s EPS12V connector was installed on the +12VB input of the load tester.)

Input	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	5 A (60 W)	10 A (120 W)	14.5 A (174 W)	19 A (228 W)	24 A (282 W)
+12VB	5 A (60 W)	10 A (120 W)	14 A (168 W)	19 A (228 W)	24.25 A (282 W)
+5 V	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 W)
+5VSB	1 A (5 W)	1.5 A (7.5 W)	2 A (10 W)	2.5 A (12.5 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	139.6 W	268.0 W	385.8 W	511.4 W	650.2 W
% Max Load	21.5%	41.2%	59.4%	78.7%	100.0%
Room Temp.	45.1° C	45.2° C	45.2° C	47.7° C	46.8° C
PSU Temp.	45.5° C	46.1° C	46.7° C	48.2° C	50.4° C
Voltage Regulation	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
Ripple and Noise	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass
AC Power	157.0 W	300.3 W	438.1 W	595.5 W	787.0 W
Efficiency	88.9%	89.2%	88.1%	85.9%	82.6%
AC Voltage	115.6 V	114.2 V	112.6 V	110.1 V	107.7 V
Power Factor	0.986	0.995	0.998	0.998	0.998
Final Result	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass	Pass

The efficiency results for the FSP Raider 650 W were so high that we thought our equipment was broken. We tested our equipment and re-tested this power supply to make sure the results were correct. The explanation came only after we disassembled the unit, when we realized that FSP used the same platform as they used on their Aurum Gold power supply series, which is an 80 Plus Gold-certified series. Efficiency of 89% on an 80 Plus Bronze unit is unheard of. This is really impressive.

Voltages were inside the allowed range; however, we’d prefer to see them within 3% of their nominal values. See table below. The ATX12V specification states that positive voltages must be within 5% of their nominal values, and negative voltages must be within 10% of their nominal values.

Input	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	+11.59 V
+12VB	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	+11.63 V	+11.41 V
+5 V	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%
+3.3 V	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	+3.19 V	+3.15 V
+5VSB	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	+4.81 V
-12 V	≤ 3%	≤ 3%	-12.37 V	-12.47 V	-12.62 V

Let’s discuss the ripple and noise levels on the next page.

[nextpage title=”Ripple and Noise Tests”]

Voltages at the power supply outputs must be as “clean” as possible, with no noise or oscillation (also known as “ripple”). The maximum ripple and noise levels allowed are 120 mV for +12 V and -12 V outputs, and 50 mV for +5 V, +3.3 V and +5VSB outputs. All values are peak-to-peak figures. We consider a power supply as being top-notch if it can produce half or less of the maximum allowed ripple and noise levels.

The FSP Raider 650 W provided ripple and noise levels below the maximum allowed, but we’d like to see these levels lower during test five to consider this unit “flawless.”

Input	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	26.4 mV	27.2 mV	35.6 mV	45.2 mV	87.6 mV
+12VB	28.2 mV	27.8 mV	33.6 mV	41.4 mV	86.4 mV
+5 V	15.8 mV	17.0 mV	17.6 mV	22.4 mV	35.2 mV
+3.3 V	14.4 mV	19.4 mV	22.8 mV	22.4 mV	24.0 mV
+5VSB	8.0 mV	11.4 mV	8.8 mV	9.8 mV	11.4 mV
-12 V	58.2 mV	61.6 mV	62.4 mV	76.4 mV	109.4 mV

Below you can see the waveforms of the outputs during test five.

Figure 21: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 650.2 W (87.6 mV)

Figure 22: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 650.2 W (86.4 mV)

Figure 23: +5V rail during test five at 650.2 W (35.2 mV)

Figure 24: +3.3 V rail during test five at 650.2 W (24 mV)

[nextpage title=”Overload Tests”]

Below you can see the maximum we could pull from this power supply. The objective of this test is to see if the power supply has its protection circuits working properly. This unit passed this test, as it shut down when we tried to pull more than what is listed in the table below. As you can see, FSP didn’t leave much room for overloading. Noise and ripple levels at +12VB and -12 V were above the maximum allowed, at 121.8 mV and 126.8 mV, respectively, while voltage at +12VB was below the minimum allowed, at +11.32 V.

Input	Overload Test
+12VA	25 A (300 W)
+12VB	25 A (300 W)
+5 V	10 A (50 W)
+3.3 V	10 A (33 W)
+5VSB	3 A (15 W)
-12 V	0.5 A (6 W)
Total	668.4 W
% Max Load	102.8%
Room Temp.	45.8° C
PSU Temp.	52.3° C
AC Power	815.0 W
Efficiency	82.0%
AC Voltage	108.4 V
Power Factor	0.998

[nextpage title=”Main Specifications”]

The main specifications for the FSP Raider 650 W p
ower supply include:

• Standards: ATX12V 2.31 and EPS12V 2.92
• Nominal labeled power: 650 W
• Measured maximum power: 668.4 W at 45.8° C
• Labeled efficiency: 85% minimum, 80 Plus Bronze certification
• Measured efficiency: Between 82.6% and 89.2%, at 115 V (nominal, see complete results for actual voltage)
• Active PFC: Yes
• Modular Cabling System: No
• Motherboard Power Connectors: One 24-pin connector and two ATX12V connectors that together form an EPS12V connector
• Video Card Power Connectors: Two six/eight-pin connectors on separate cables
• SATA Power Connectors: Six on two cables
• Peripheral Power Connectors: Three on one cable
• Floppy Disk Drive Power Connectors: One
• Protections (as listed by the manufacturer): Over voltage (OVP), under voltage (UVP), over power (OPP), over current (OCP), and short-circuit (SCP)
• Are the above protections really available? Yes.
• Warranty: Five years
• More Information: https://www.fsplifestyle.com
• Average Price in the U.S.*: USD 100.00

* Researched at Newegg.com on the day we published this review.

[nextpage title=”Conclusions”]

The Raider 650 W is probably the 80 Plus Bronze power supply with the highest efficiency out there, peaking 89% efficiency in our tests. This happened because it is based on the same platform as the FSP Aurum Gold power supplies, which received the 80 Plus Gold award. With the Raider 650 W you basically buy an 80 Plus Bronze unit and get virtually 80 Plus Gold efficiency when using it at light and typical loads – which are the loads most people use anyway.

Although voltages were always inside the proper range, and ripple and noise levels were below the maximum allowed, we’d prefer to see 3% voltage regulation and lower ripple and noise levels, so we can’t say this unit is “flawless.” Still, it provides a terrific value for the savvy user, and we highly recommend it.