The Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 PSU Review: Testing the Limits of SFX

Power Supply Quality

As part of our testing, we also check output parameters are within specifications, as well as voltage ripple and line noise.

The electrical performance of the Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 is fair while the load is low to middling but poor while the unit is heavily loaded. All of the voltage ripple figures do stay within the recommended design limits but it has been many years since we have seen a ripple greater than 100 mV on the 12V line, especially from a unit of this class and efficiency. On the other hand, voltage regulation is extremely tight on the 12V line and excellent on the minor 3.3V/5V lines. It is apparent that the tight dimensions prevented the designer from installing sufficient filtering.

As part of our standard testing, we test the primary protections of all PSUs we review (Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit). The Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 passed all of our tests successfully. It is also worthwhile to note that the OCP protection and OPP protection of this PSU were relatively low compared to other ATX 3.0 units, at 110% and 115% respectively. Other manufacturers have these protections set very high in order to achieve ATX 3.0 compliance but it would seem that this newly developed platform achieves compliance and reasonable protection figures at the same time.

Conclusion

With such extreme power density and ATX 3.0 compliance in SFX proportions, the Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 PSU certainly is a very unique product - albeit one that is a mixed bag when it comes to performance. It does have excellent build quality and components, most likely thanks to its OEM, Sysgration, which has years of experience in power electronics design. However, the cramped design of the unit hampers its overall performance, particularly at higher loads, where insufficient filtering and thermal stress result in poor power quality.

Voltage regulation is excellent at all times and the protections of the unit function perfectly, but filtering leaves much to be desired, with figures that barely stay within the recommended design limit. It is evident that the designers of this platform just ran out of space for additional filtering and the high temperatures made matters even worse for the unit. Considering that no figure went above the limit, the Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 does pass in terms of acceptable power quality, but enthusiasts have come to expect more from a premium product.

The PSU performs well enough in room temperature environments, but struggles to maintain fair operating temperatures when the ambient temperature is high. This is a significant issue, as extreme thermal stress leads to performance degradation, making it difficult to recommend for use in high-temperature environments. Noise levels are acceptable at room temperature, but high ambient temperatures result in very high noise levels, which may not be suitable for noise-sensitive environments.

Overall, the Cooler Master V SFX Platinum 1100 PSU is a unique product that caters to specific needs. Despite the high-power output and ATX 3.0 compliance, the V SFX Platinum 1100 is fairly expensive, with street prices starting at $288, making it a significant investment for most PC builders. Its excellent build quality, unique SFX form factor, and high-power output make it a compelling option for compact PC gaming and deep learning systems. However, the substantial prerequisites to avoid thermal and noise issues and high price point make it difficult to recommend as a mainstream product. It may suitable for users looking to build a high-performance, compact PC and are willing to pay the significant premium, but Cooler Master will have a hard time convincing the vast majority of the market.