The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU Review: XPG Goes for the Gold

Hot Test Results (~45°C Ambient Temperature)

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W is rated for operation at an ambient temperature of 50°C. In the realm of PC power supply units (PSUs), their categorization often hinges on their temperature ratings, where a 50°C rating is indicative of quality high-performance products. The unit’s 50°C rating is reassuring, especially for a mid-range product. This rating is a significant marker of its robustness and reliability, especially under high temperature conditions, underscoring its suitability for demanding applications and environments.

In the hot testing phase, the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU shows a slight decline in efficiency compared to the cold testing results. While the cold test yielded an average nominal load efficiency of 89.9% at 115 VAC and 91.3% at 230 VAC, the hot test results are slightly lower at 89% for 115 VAC and 90.4% for 230 VAC. While the reduction is measurable, it is better than average for a product of this performance class. It is also worth mentioning that despite the very high temperatures there are no hints of thermal stress.

Under hot testing conditions, the cooling fan of the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU exhibits a fairly typical operational behavior. The fan starts operating slightly earlier compared to the cold test conditions, reacting to the increased ambient temperature and load. Once operational, the fan's speed increases steadily, particularly as the load approaches 1000 Watts. The fan reaches its maximum speed of 2300 RPM when the load is slightly over 1000 Watts, above which point temperatures will rise a bit sharply if the unit is forced to remain heavily loaded.