If you are running a server at home, for instance a PLEX server, which you access while travelling and need it to stay up 24/7 you may have looked into redundant PSUs. They tend to be expensive and do not easily fit into a standard case, let alone a SFF one. FSP Group has a solution they call The Twins.
The Twins are a pair of 500W PSUs in a casing that will fit in most cases, the width and height are the same as a normal ATX PSU, the length of 190mm might be an issue for some cases however. They are fully hot-swappable and offer redundant power so that if one happens to go out your system will continue to run.
This 500W unit and the following 700W unit are both 80 PLUS GOLD certified and come with a USB header connection which allows you to use their FSP Guardian software. FSP Guardian allows you to monitor real time power input, power output, efficiency, and other specs and saves the data for 30 days to let you see how your power systems are behaving. The non-modular wiring provides you with a pair of 6+2 PCIe connectors and a half dozen SATA connectors in addition to the usual motherboard power connections.
You can check out the full PR below the specifications listed here. Both models will come with a 5 year warranty and cost $399 and $499 respectively.
October 26, 2016 – Taipei, Taiwan – FSP, the performance power specialist, is pleased to announce a new 500W addition to its Twins series redundant Power Supplies, with a 700W version coming soon. Fitting most ATX tower chassis, these PSUs offer consumers a reliable solution for home mail, web, or email servers without needing to jump up to more costly form factors.
Redundant Modules for Reliable 24/7 Operation
The Twins series houses two independent power modules, each with its own power adapter. Under normal conditions, the two modules share the energy load to maximize efficiency and stability. If one module fails, however, the other automatically takes over as a clean fail safe. Being hot-swappable, a failed module can be replaced while the system is running without any downtime.Compatible with Standard ATX Cases
Users can mount the Twins in standard ATX cases without the need for a special bracket. Both ATX 12V and EPS 12V connectors are provided for maximum motherboard compatibility. Flat ribbon cables save space and installation hassle, perfect for cramped cases.80 Plus Gold Efficiency and Server-Grade Reliability
Both Twins PSUs are 80 Plus Gold certified, offering up to 90% efficiency. Under constant operation, this drastically cuts down operating costs. Each power supply module features a dedicated dual ball-bearing fan, premium capacitors, and has over current protection, short circuit protection, over voltage protection, and fan failure protection. Reliability is further backed by a MTBF of 100,000 hours and a 5 year warranty.LED Alarm Guard and Digital Control Software
The LED alarm guard alerts operators to problems in the system and simplifies problem diagnosis. If a power supply fails, an alarm will sound and an LED indicator will show which power supply needs to be replaced. Users can connect the Twins’ to a USB header for FSP’s Guardian software: a full suite of digital monitoring controls. Keep an eye on input, output, efficiency, and other metrics in real time, or review up to seven days of past data.Availability
The FSP Twins Series is now available in 500W/700W versions at a MSRP of $399/499 USD, respectively.
Thats totally awesome to see
Thats totally awesome to see this in the consumer space.
So many manufacturers offer useless decoration. Its nice to see some genuine reliability engineering in a consumer PC part.
I agree, reliability is
I agree, reliability is unfortunately just not a priority for most computer parts these days, probably largely for planned obsolescence, so it’s great to see something like this
Nifty idea, but that price
Nifty idea, but that price though. 500W 80plus gold for $399, who on earth will buy such a thing when even 1000W titanium units are over hundred bucks cheaper.
Because there are two of
Because there are two of them.
$200 for a 500W power supply
$200 for a 500W power supply even GOLD rated is kind of a tough pill to swallow in the consumer space, where I would think there is a very limited need for such redundancy.
It might not be super
It might not be super important to many consumers, but some of us run home servers in ATX compatible cases. I know I’m working on building a Mini-ITX server running Plex and Windows Media Center in VM’s along with a few other things, so a redundant power supply in ATX form factor would be a godsend for that build. While $400 is a lot, it makes sense for a reliable PSU in a very niche market [lack of mainstream scale always drives up price] that has the tech to properly failover.
Because 80plus ratings are
Because 80plus ratings are meaningless bullshit.
If it doesnt have Japanese made capacitors and good soldering, an 80plus titanium or whatever metal they name their meaningless rating next, is just a sticker.
Article:
“saves the data for
Article:
“saves the data for 30 days”
PR blurb:
“review up to seven days of past data.”
Fairly sure the 30 days is
Fairly sure the 30 days is from the website … which is not resolving right now. I will check back.
Yup, PR is … PR.
“Users can
Yup, PR is … PR.
"Users can use FSP Guardian software to monitor power input, power output, efficiency, and other internal records in real time and get the historical data within 30 days."
You might say that FSP Group
You might say that FSP Group is… overpowered!
As mentioned above, this is a
As mentioned above, this is a good move and hope other PSU makers follow. Just have to wait a generation or two for prices to be more reasonable.
At the current price, just getting two fully modular PSU’s would cost a bit cheaper. If the PSU dies it will only take a few minutes to unplug all the modular cables from the PSU and swap it.
ALso, if you need 100% uptime and can’t afford to go with the two modular PSUs as I mentioned, then you need to look at enterprise hardware.
Redundant power supplies
Redundant power supplies avoid the downtime all together. With 2 modular PSUs your computer would still go down. Annoying if you’re not home but need remote access. This is a far more elegant solution.
This isnt bad pricing for a
This isnt bad pricing for a high quality redundant PSU. People arent used to the price of what real computer hardware costs any more.
I would have been more
I would have been more interested at like $300/$400 pricing.
$150 per psu is pretty fair for a 500w 80+ Gold w/ an external housing. $200 per is just too much for most enthusiast, might have considered if it was a 1 PSU on left and then 1or2 hot swap replaceable battery so it had a built in ups at that price.
I agreed. PSU in a PC
I agreed. PSU in a PC regulates and delivers the power to the components in the case. So its needed. Your reviews are too appreciated. I want a NEW PSU For my computer. so it’s great to see it.
Thanks