INTRODUCTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Because of several advancements in technology current graphics cards are not only able to keep up with 4k resolutions but can also produce higher frame rates with severely reduced power consumption (always compared to previous models). Still although that would normally mean that high-wattage power supply units would not be as popular as in the past the somewhat recent spike in the number of active coin miners has skyrocketed sales of both high-end graphics cards and high-wattage power supply units. Now as we’ve pointed out in the past with most people using at least 3 GPUs (mostly from AMD) per system/rig for data mining 1KW is no longer enough to sufficiently cover their needs thus 1.2KW units and above are clearly favored. Thermaltake keeps updating their power supply unit lines with high-wattage models and the Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1200W which we have here with us today is the latest one to roll out of the factory.

   The beginning of every myth and legend is about dreams and desire: the challenging, creative and combative features of Thermaltake Group create an exciting and fascinating user experience to share with everyone, while allowing users to enter a selfless state in terms of function and potential. Thermaltake Group's 3 main brands: Thermaltake, Tt eSPORTS and LUXA2 have been merchandising throughout the world, and have successfully established 6 business footholds in areas such as Europe, America, Oceania, Japan and China, with 95 regional distributors and over 4000 premium retailers. All product planning is orientated by observation of global PC peripheral market and understanding of consumer demands. Thermaltake creates direct contact opportunities with resellers and consumers by participating major global ICT exhibitions and trade shows every year, and develop innovative marketing strategies for the promotions of new products. Meanwhile, Thermaltake incorporates the composite marketing system by making branch offices and regional distributors both the distribution channel and technical support or service center to provide instant support; by maintaining close contact with end users, we manage to strengthen corporate competitiveness and create the momentum for the growth of accomplishments. With its outstanding wisdom and strength Thermaltake Group is recruiting creative talents to build a cultural brand for the enjoyment of entertainment, e-Sports, technology and lifestyle!

   Just like the Toughpower Grand RGB 1200W (TPG-1200F1FAP) model which we reviewed a couple of months ago the Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1200W (TPI-1200F2FDP) by Thermaltake is a fully modular (future proof) digital power supply unit that features an 80 Plus Platinum efficiency certification (once again this is the 2nd highest available currently after Titanium), single powerful +12V rail (100A and can deliver the entire output of the unit), 140mm Riing RGB hydraulic-bearing fan with a total of 16.8 million colors (7 available lighting modes via software), smart zero fan RPM mode (also adjustable via software), 100% Japanese capacitors, flat modular cables and a large number of protections including OVP (Over Voltage Protection), SCP (Short Circuit Protection), OPP (Over Power Protection), UVP (Under Voltage Protection), OTP (Over Temperature Protection) and OCP (Over Current Protection). Unlike the Toughpower Grand RGB 1200W model however the brand new Toughpower iRGB Plus 1200W fully supports Thermaltake’s RGB Plus Sync lighting system (LED color synchronization between compatible devices) and smart power management platform (allows end users not only to monitor it current state but also manage and even reduce power consumption).

 

 

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As with its predecessors the iRGB PLUS 1200W model arrived inside a large box that has a product picture and its main features at the front.

 

 

The Riing 14 RGB fan with its 12 LEDS is showcased on the left side of the box whereas the SPM platform is showcased on the right side.

 

 

At the rear of the box we find the product features, electrical table, available connectors and 2 graphs showcasing low ripple noise design and the strict voltage regulation.

 

 

Packaging is once again perfect so although the box did arrive a bit banged up the entire bundle was without issue.

 

 

Contained inside the package is the power supply with its fabric cover, power cable (EU in our sample), storage pouch with the modular cables, mini USB to mainboard USB header cable, 4 cable ties, small plastic bag with 4 mounting screws, warranty information paper and the user manual.

 

 

THE TOUGHPOWER IRGB PLUS 1200W EXTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flat modular cables take less space behind the mainboard tray compared to regular ones so these are favored by manufacturers like Thermaltake lately.

 

 

Exactly like the Grand RGB 1200W model the iRGB PLUS 1200W measures 180mm in length, 150mm in width and 86mm in height.

 

 

Thanks to a smart zero RPM mode the Riing 14 RGB fan will not spin until the unit has surpassed 40% load (or you can make it spin at very low RPM).

 

 

Both sides of the enclosure have large stickers on which Thermaltake has placed their logo, model name, output wattage and the 80 Plus Platinum certification.

 

 

The electrical table is once again located on the belly of the enclosure.

 

 

The modular connectors may not be color coded but they are thoroughly tagged and different in shape to avoid any mistakes on your part.

 

 

Moving at the rear of the enclosure we find the on/off power switch and the power plug.

 

 

THE TOUGHPOWER IRGB PLUS 1200W INTERIOR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thermaltake has used the A1425S12S-2 140mm Riing RGB fan (manufactured by Hong Shen Electronic) which after looking online it can reach speeds of up to 1400RPM to produce airflow levels of up to 63.19CFM with just 27.2dBA of noise.

 

 

CWT (Channel Well Technologies) is once again the OEM behind this power supply and although the interior is heavily populated quality is top notch.

 

 

The two primary capacitors used in the iRGB PLUS 1200W are manufactured by the Japanese nichicon and rated for use up to 105 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Secondary capacitors are manufactured by the Japanese Nippon Chemi-Con and again are rated for use up to 105 degrees Celsius.

 

 

Here you can see the Riing 14 RGB fan in all its glory.

 

 

DPS G APP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To use the DPS G App either with your computer or with your smartphone you need an active account with Thermaltake so once that is done you can use the main screen to monitor pretty much everything related to the iRGB PLUS 1200W unit.

 

 

From the RGB tab you can choose a color for the fan, set the brightness levels for its LEDs, use one of the 7 available lighting modes and configure the speed of the fan via one of the 3 available modes.

 

 

General PC information is also available under the corresponding tab.

 

 

Various settings can be adjusted from the settings tab (here you can also check the installed app version).

 

 

TEST BED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TESTING METHODOLOGY

     Using a dedicated measurement instrument such as a Chroma or a SunMoon to test power supply units is without doubt the most ideal and accurate way (not to mention the fastest) to do that currently. However it's certainly not the only way there is and so pretty much anyone can test a power supply unit just by using a test rig. Certainly limitations do apply and so you can't really push a 1000W power supply to its limits if your system only uses 500W at peak loads and that's why during the past 7 years we’ve saved certain hardware components for the purpose of building a dedicated PSU test rig. True it may not be as accurate as the above mentioned solutions but it comes really close and is in fact closer to real world usage. So as always we ran several games with maximum graphic options enabled at a resolution of 2560x1600 in order to stress every hardware component and increase the overall power demands of the system. The Passmark BurnIn Test was also used to overstress the components in an effort to provide the most accurate results possible. As a final test we also used the latest OCCT 4.4 software and its dedicated PSU testing suite since it can really bring a power supply to its knees after inside a few minutes.

    Rail stability was checked/measured with the CPUID Hardware monitor and a Metex multimeter which also recorded the system load in idle and in load. As always try to remember that the power consumption numbers listed in the graph are the highest (Peak) ones recorded during the entire duration of the tests and not the average ones. Noise levels coming from the fan were recorded using the high precision HD600 ExTech Sound dBA Meter from the rear of the unit and at a range of no more than 5-10cm. Readings under load are recorded the exact moment we manually switch the fans of all graphics cards from full speed to almost zero, that way the fan of the power supply does not have enough time to slow its RPM and so by doing this we get very accurate noise level readings. Needless to say in order to get 100% accurate readings you need to have a noise isolated room for that exact purpose, something which is quite impossible unless you are working inside a real lab (some people use very small noise insulated boxes but due to their size both heat and noise exceed normal levels and so the results can't really be considered to be 100% accurate). Also do take into account that since all noise measurements take place from just 5-10cm away the final noise levels to reach your ears will be considerably less.

 

 

TEST RESULTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Although we chose not to use the zero fan mode due to very low fan speeds the recorded number in idle is actually the ambient noise at that time so you need only take into account the load number).

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   When Thermaltake came to us and asked if we’d like to test their latest Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1200W power supply unit it was like a week after we had finished testing their Toughpower Grant RGB 1200W so we thought it was way too fast for them to release a similar unit. Well it turns out that although the Grand RGB 1200W and the iRGB PLUS 1200W share many things the latter offers far more complete control over several of its features than the former. On the other hand the Grand RGB 1200W is a more “simplified” version since it allows the end user to change RGB colors and modes at the push of a button so at the end of the day we feel that they are targeted towards different people with different needs. With that out of the way the in terms of rail stability and even noise levels the iRGB PLUS 1200W has nothing to be jealous from the GRAND RGB 1200W and vice versa so if you feel that Thermaltake’s SPM is something you could put to good use this was made for you (if not and you’d like to save a few bucks the regular GRAND RGB 1200W could be a better fit).

   As we mentioned in the introduction page due to increased demand availability for most high-wattage models is not good and the same applies for the Toughpower iRGB PLUS 1200W (TPI-1200F2FDP) model. You can however still find it for USD275.10 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 279.90Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de) a price tag which puts it roughly 20-25% above the GRAND RGB 1200W. With that out of the way the iRGB PLUS 1200W is without doubt one of the most advanced digital power supply units in the market today (which is also why it gets our Platinum award) but unless you feel you can somehow put its SPM platform to good use (or you just want full RGB control via software) the GRAND RGB 1200W could be a better choice overall.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Very Good Solid Rail Stability
- 10 Years Warranty
- 80 Plus Platinum Certified
- Electrical Protections (OCP/OVP/SSP/OPP/UVP/OTP)
- SPM Platform (System Monitoring / PSU Management)
- Riing 140mm Fan (16.8 Million Colors / Low Noise)
- Smart Zero RPM Fan Mode
- RGB Plus Sync Compatible

CONS

- Current Availability
- Price Tag (Compared To The Very Similar GRAND RGB 1200W)