Under the Hood

Here are a few pictures showing the layout and components inside the High Current Pro 850W Platinum power supply.  The High Current Pro Platinum series features a server-class full-bridge LLC topology with synchronous rectification and uses DC-to-DC converter technology.  The LLC resonant design allows for zero voltage switching, which dramatically lowers switching transistor losses to boost efficiency.  Once again, Antec has teamed up with Delta Electronics as their OEM to co-develop the High Current Pro Platinum power supplies.

Once inside, it becomes quickly apparent that this really is a “new platform”.  The most obvious change is what Antec refers to as a “wireless PCB design”.  The normal maze of output wiring is absent and most of the electrical connections are made through the PCBs instead of external interconnects.  Even the main transformer uses sheet copper instead of the more traditional wire windings. Direct copper wire connections to the synchronous rectifiers also help reduce losses and achieve 80Plus Platinum efficiencies.

The two primary capacitors are made by Nippon Chemi-Con and are rated for 390uF, 450V, and 105°C.  The secondary features both electrolytic and solid polymer caps also made by Nippon Chemi-Con; very nice.  Notice that both the +3.3V and +5V DC-to-DC converter boards have been moved off the main PCB and instead are mounted directly to the front modular DC connector board, eliminating more wiring and reducing current losses and boosting efficiency.  This is functionally what Seasonic did with their X-Connect series of PSUs.

The overall layout, build quality and component selection appears to be excellent. 
 

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