INTRODUCTION

   Deciding on the right hardware component for your brand new PC is always hard but it's surprisingly easy when it comes to power supply units (PSUs) primarily because most people don't really consider them to be nearly as important as most of the others. However, if you're not such a person choosing your next PSU could get a lot harder and that goes double if you're looking for a compact small form factor (SFF/SFX) model. This is because of three reasons, fist manufacturers focus most of their resources in the development of full sized units (allows for higher wattage units), second there aren't nearly as many mATX and mITX cases out there as there are Mid/Full towers and third SFF/SFX models tend to cost more (always compared to regular sized units). Fractal Design may not be the very first name to come in mind when talking about SFF/SFX power supply units but their ION line has been extremely successful and so today I’ll be testing the SFX 650G model.

   Fractal Design is a leading designer and manufacturer of premium PC hardware including cases, cooling, power supplies and accessories. Based in Gothenburg and with offices in the US as well as Taiwan, Fractal Design has gained a global reputation for innovative design, elegant aesthetics and solid build quality. Fractal Design products are available in over 45 countries worldwide, and are still growing.

   The ION SFX-L line of PSUs by Fractal Design is available in 500/650W outputs and features an 80 Plus Gold efficiency certification (up to 92% electrical efficiency). The 650W model which i have here with me today can deliver up to 766W (peak) and features a fully modular design (future-proof), strong 54A single +12V rail (can deliver up to 99% of the units total power output - 648W), minor rails with a total output of 118.6W, 100% Japanese capacitors, ATX v2.4 support, semi-passive Zero RPM fan mode for complete silence and several industrial grade electrical protections including OPP (over-power), OVP (over-voltage), SCP (short-circuit), UVP (under-voltage), OCP (over-current) and OTP (over-temperature). Finally, in order to show just how much trust, they have in their ION SFX-L line Fractal Design covers both models with a rather generous 10 year limited warranty.