Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review :: Enhanced XP650 PSU

08-08-2006 · Category: Hardware - Power Supplies

By Tulatin

Since boxes haven't suited Mushkin's style in the past, it's rather surprising to see how their first is designed. Coming as a cross between lime green and pearl white, the images of the gunmetal chrome power supply absolutely stand out. Though no shots of the internals of the unit are given (unremarkably), plenty of specifications indeed are. The left hand panel of the box gives the most basic of specifications, the distribution of amperage across voltages and rails:

XP-650
(650W)
+3.3V +5V +12V1 +12V2 +12V3 +12V4 -5V -12V +5VSB
26A 30A 20A 20A 20A 20A .5A .5A .3A
170W 528W (44A) 2.5W 6W 15W
630W 20W
650W

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Mushkin Logo

Mushkin Logo

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Specifications

Specifications


The measurement of the four 20A rails combined as only "44A" is due to the fact that the single 12V transformer within the unit is not designed to push more than 528W of power. Still, since this 44A is only available in "Rail Fusion" mode, it will be fairly hard for users to flood the supply in such a way. Essentially, when any given rail (such as a hungry videocard, for example), demands over 18A, all four rails feed their power together in order to supply this extreme need for power. This power, of course, comes from a set of beefy capacitors, regulators and monstrous heatsinks tucked away inside (which we'll show you soon), all of which help to produce power at an efficiency of 70-75%, or so Mushkin claims. Another feature offered by this power supply is modular cabling, done in the same way which Enermax does it - via 6 pin connectors, allowing for either 4 pin molexes or 5 pin SATA leads to be installed. All this power comes down through VersaPlug technology to the motherboard - that's a 24 Pin ATX plug that can have the end 4 pins removed, and an 8 Pin +12V header which can be split apart for older boards. Protecting this power source is what Mushkin terms as ActiveShield technology - which is really just Overvoltage, Overcurrent, Overtemperature and Short Circuit prevention. With these safety features aside, I'd wager it's a good time to examine the makeup of the power cabling, and the plugs on it before cracking the unit open. Available in eight modular cables are:

  • 2 PCI Express Connectors (Separate Leads)
  • 6 Molex Connectors (2 on 2 strands, 1 on each of 2 strands with mini-molex)
  • 2 Mini Molex Connectors (1 on each of 2 strands with normal molex)
  • 8 SATA Connectors on 2 Strands

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Cables

Cables

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review PCI-Express

PCI-Express

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Serial ATA

Serial ATA

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Perpetual

Perpetual


These cables are covered in a silver sheath, then a thin, smoked plastic exterior coating to ensure that flaying doesn't occur. While this does increase the stiffness of the cable, and make them harder to hide, it gives the enthusiast peace of mind that their cables will always be safe, even if coming a mite too close to whirling blades of delta branded death. These all feed to the back of the power supply, which is broken only by an 80mm fan, and the eight modular connectors. Beyond this, the rest of the power supply's body is this simple, black chrome, which spirals over to the other side, where the "Rail Fusion" LED resides along with a green LED fan. Both grilles come with raised "Mushkin Enhanced Logos". On the top of the power supply is a ratings sticker, in a faux brushed aluminum finish, which, though it looks rather nice, tells the enthusiast nothing that they didn't already know.


Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Power Supply

Power Supply

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Power Supply Front

Power Supply Front

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Rating Sticker

Rating Sticker


Unfortunately, due to a lack of windows on the unit, the goodies concealed inside are kept well hidden from the observer, until now. After pulling the four screws which held the top on, then very carefully getting a grip on it (fingerprints ruin a chromed finish, don't you know?), I was greeted by the untarnished victory of the interior. Sitting dominantly at front and center was a true beast of a 12V transformer, which is intended to feed four regulators that are well out of sight. Flanking this transformer are two huge, black heatsinks with rippled fins, to help dissipate the tremendous amounts of heat that this PSU generates under a load. Located underneath the left heatsink is a small PCB with fan connectors and a few trim pots on it - their use being a mystery to me, and my tight schedule not granting enough time to monkey with them. The only real things if disappointment inside this unit is the lack of four independent 12V regulation circuits, and the absence of active PFC.


Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Heatsinks

Heatsinks

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review 12V Transformer

12V Transformer

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Ferrite Coil

Ferrite Coil

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Potentiometers

Potentiometers


Alright, now with the internals which look remarkably similar to those of Tagan/Topower/Etc aside, and the unit's silky, sexy smooth cover locked back into place, this PSU was dropped into the bottom compartment of my modified Sansun Galaxy, and ready to rock right out of the gate. For those readers looking at photos and wondering what hasn't been mentioned so far, those would be the few included zip ties, five Velcro ties, customized power cord with a Ferrite coil at its end, the manual, and finally the four screws needed to affix the PSU to your chassis of choice. Just make sure that your new case will have room for the 30 or so extra MM that this heavy PSU takes up behind it. With all those finally set aside, let's toss this beauty up onto the power supply testing rack, and see how it performs against a hungry CPU, and two other Power Supplies, including the reigning champ.


Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Mushkin Logo

Mushkin Logo

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Manual and Box

Manual and Box

Mushkin Enhanced XP650 Power Supply Review Power Cable and Manual

Power Cable and Manual