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- Date:
- Thursday , October 16, 2008
- Author:
- Paul Johnson
- Editor:
- Kyle Bennett
- Google +1
Xigmatek NRP-MC851 850w Power Supply
No Rules Power! That makes for a good product tag line, but we all know damn well that power without rules makes for a terrible computer power supply. Does Xigmatek's NRP 850 watt PSU play inside the rules when it comes to serving up 850 watt?
Build Quality
As we already know the Xigmatek NRP-MC851 features a single 140mm fan design. 140mm fans are in the same vein as 120mm fans in that they can provide for quiet cooling environments due to the ability to move a larger volume of air at slower speeds than a smaller diameter fan. The 140mm fan is the almost the largest diameter fan we are likely to see in ATX power supplies given the physical constraints of the form factor. While great for quiet computing environments, the key criteria in our evaluation is whether or not the cooling solution is sufficient; not necessarily its sound level or form factor.
External Build Quality
Externally the Xigmatek NRP-MC851 is very similar to any number of other CWT power supplies on the market so this will be brief. The unit features a semi-modular design with the PCI-E connector ends being differentially colored (red). The top of the unit is dominated by the large 140mm fan, and the rear is mostly clear as the unit is well perforated to allow air to exit. The biggest distinguishing feature on this unit is the faux leather label that is affixed to one side of the unit.
The NRP-MC851 comes in at a length of 6 1/4 inches while the cables provide a serviceable length of ~18 inches to the first (or only) connector and are sheathed in black mesh. However, the sheathing is not run completely into the housing as usual from CWT PSH builds. However, it should be noted that this time it does come much closer to the housing than on previous units we have seen based on this line of power supplies.
Internal Build Quality
Once we open the Xigmatek NRP-MC851 we find ourselves looking at yet another CWT PSH power supply. This series has become a very popular selection among a number of brands of late (which makes one wonder if the quality might begin to suffer some). Interestingly though, the only other time we have seen a PSH-850 was in the guise of the 1200w liquid cooled Koolance unit from over a year ago. This particular PSH-850 is not being asked to do 1200 watts and given the general good performance of the previous PSH series power supplies this unit has a pedigree that makes us look forward to load testing this unit in relative comfort. The NRP-MC851 differs internally only cosmetically from other PSH's as its heatsink cooler is different and uses a Yate Loon fan rated at 0.70A at 12v.
As we swing over to the primary side we see the typical CWT PSH primary design once more. The APFC circuitry is housed on the card next to the primary capacitor while the APFC coil is situated behind the primary filtering capacitor. In this particular build the primary filtering capacitor is a Matsushita rated at 470uF 400v 85c.
On the secondary side we see an add-in PCB that houses the fan controller, OCP, OVP, and other protection circuitry taking up much of the frame. Along with this we see that the wiring is all bound with zip ties and the wiring that exits the housing does so through a thin wire guard. The sleeving does not extend into the housing as is commonly the case with CWT PSH units. The wiring that is routed to the modular interface PCB is also well cared for and the modular interface is very cleanly constructed. Lastly, the unit is outfitted with Nippon Chemi-con capacitors throughout the secondary which is a good choice.
Build Quality Summary
Overall the build quality of the Xigmatek NRP-MC851 is very good, and exactly what we have come to expect from CWT PSH based units. The exterior comes trimmed in one of CWT's standard finishes which is overall decently attractive and scratch resistant. To this standard exterior the NRP-MC851 adds a faux leather looking sticker which is certainly different and may appeal to someone. The cables on this unit are all sleeved but like many CWT designed units the sleeving stops short of the housing on the fixed cables. However, this time the sleeving does come much closer to being complete than on other CWT PSH based units. The interior build quality is representative of the typical neat nature we have come to expect from CWT PSH power supplies and nothing here varies from the typical unit. The capacitors are all Japanese from Matsuhsita (Primary) and Nippon Chemi-con (Secondary). Overall, this is once more a very good looking unit designed by CWT and branded by one of any number of power supply vendors. But is that enough to make this unit award worthy?