AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF) 120mm fan PSU - major disappointment

halcyon · Post by **halcyon** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 3:49 am

I just wanted to chime in about my experience with my recently acquired AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF), which is the same PSU as Fortron FSP300-60PN(PF).

The summary: it's not silent. Far from it.

The fan inside is a 120 mm, thermal sensor controlled brushless motor with decently low vibration and/or ratational noise.

However, the fan pushes A LOT of air even after having just turned the computer on. That is, it's not silent even with a cool case. When case temp rises to 45 Celsius, it increases in speed and becomes quite noticeable and definitely noisy.

I have already opened the PSU and moved the thermal sensor away from the PSU's internal heatsink (1 cm of air between the sensor and the heatsink, whereas it was originally glued to it).

This has alleviated the hot case noise a little, but it's still FAR from what I would call silent.

As a reference, I have an Enermax EG-465AX (430W with Active PFC), which I have modified by removing the 80mm exhaust fan, leaving intact only the PSU's own 92mm intake fan. I have also blocked all other major air pathways in this PSU, except the one that faces outside from the case.

This modified Enermax PSU is definitely more silent than even my modified AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF) is.

To be honest, I'm very disappointed with this particular 120mm fan psu.

However, I have heard from another user who has the same PSU under Fortron brand that his fan barely rotates at all when he turn the computer on. Hence, his identical PSU remains quite inaudible, even if not totally silent.

I'm still thinking if I should put a bigger resistor inside the thermal control unit of the PSU, so I could cut down on the fan speed and noise.

But as 'ready-made' silent PSUs go, AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF) is not one of them.

regards,
Halcyon

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 5:12 pm

Yeah, this definately confirms that the PF version is definately not the same as the non PF version.

Looks like they are are 4 Aopen models:
FSP300-60PN
FSP300-60PN(PF)
http://english.aopen.com.tw/products/po ... 0-60PN.htm
FSP350-60PN
FSP350-60PN(PF)
http://english.aopen.com.tw/products/po ... 0-60PN.htm

I wonder what PF stands for. Sounds like you guys are going to have to modify it a bit. How about a different fan?

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 6:29 pm

Hello:

The Fortron/Source has the same models. I have the FSP300-60PN and while it may not be silent, it sure is a lot quieter than any other PS in my experience, and it moves a lot of air -- NewEgg.com now mentions 57CFM @ 25dBA and below...this may be a bit optimistic, but it ain't far off. The 18dBA NMB that is right below the Fortron is a little noisier, and the NMB has a slight "beating' sound like you can hear the blades hitting the air, whereas the Fortron sounds like a gentle "whoosh". The sounds it makes ar about as inocuous as a computer can make -- no high pitches or whines or squeals or whistles; just whooooosh.

My system is not pushing the Fortron into a louder mode, as the AOpen might be in your system -- and I wonder too, if the Noise Killer circuit might be slightly different, maybe because of the PF circuit?

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 6:41 pm

My 350W (non PF) version does not move a lot of air. I have to put my hand within 6 inches to feel airflow from it. I wonder if the 350W runs cooler than the 300W version. I'd be suprised if the fan is running more than 5 V.

halcyon · Post by **halcyon** » Mon Apr 28, 2003 10:16 pm

My AOPen FSP300-60PN(PF) has a "noisekiller" temperature relative fan speed controller.

It doesn't seem to do much though, as it kicks up to quite a high speed even with a totally cool case.

If you want a REALLY silent computer, steer away from this power supply.

regards,
Halcyon

IceFire · Post by **IceFire** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 5:32 am

Is this the same power supply as the Fortron - P300XFPN 300W ? The link on Newegg is http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.a ... 14&order=1

The reason is that I just order it thinking is going to help quiet my system.

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:00 am

That's what I was afraid of. This post is starting to confuse some people already. No, the PF version is different from the non PF version. The PF version is louder. The non PF version is quiet.

IceFire, newegg is calling it a Fortron - P300XFPN 300W , but closer looking at the sticker will reveal it's a FSP300-60PN.
http://images1.newegg.com/productimage/ ... 994-03.JPG
This one is quiet because its the FSP300-60PN model (not FSP300-60PN(PF))

aristide1 · Post by **aristide1** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 6:25 am

I just ordered the Fortron 300W from Newegg, so by next week I'll add in my 2 cents. It's called FSP300-60PN in the middle of the listing. It's marked an as OEM unit.

Has anybody put a low speed Panaflo in one of these units?

I hope it works out, but it's been my experience that if I don't get the most expensive unit going I won't be satisfied.

IceFire · Post by **IceFire** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 7:02 am

Katana Man wrote:That's what I was afraid of. This post is starting to confuse some people already. No, the PF version is different from the non PF version. The PF version is louder. The non PF version is quiet.

IceFire, newegg is calling it a Fortron - P300XFPN 300W , but closer looking at the sticker will reveal it's a FSP300-60PN.
http://images1.newegg.com/productimage/ ... 994-03.JPG
This one is quiet because its the FSP300-60PN model (not FSP300-60PN(PF))

Yeah. After I wrote the post. I decided to go back and check the images. I feel so much better knowing that I order the right one.

aphonos · Post by **aphonos** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:23 am

aristide1 wrote:Has anybody put a low speed Panaflo in one of these units?

Mike C seems to allude to the fan being quiet enough already in this thread, 120mm Fortron: SPCR testbench snapshot/preview, that it seems you would not gain anything with a 120mm Panaflo.

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:29 am

You couldn't fit a 120mm Panaflo in there anyway.

aristide1 · Post by **aristide1** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 8:44 pm

You couldn't fit a 120mm Panaflo in there anyway.

I'd like to see a comparison of both 120mm fans at full tilt. The Panaflo is rated 69 CFM, the stock fan 57 CFM.

Kostik · Post by **Kostik** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 10:06 pm

I ordered a FSP300-60PN, and I just realized it had "Active PFC", so I guess it's a FSP300-60PN(PF). I didn't know there were two different versions (should have read this thread sooner).

What is the exact difference between the PF and non-PF versions ? Is there a way to mod a PF version so that it behaves like the non-PF version ?

Kostik · Post by **Kostik** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:06 pm

My mistake. It says "PFC system". So does that mean it's a (PF) version ?

Post by **MikeC** » Tue Apr 29, 2003 11:10 pm

Before PFC gets a bad name, a quick clarification: Whether the PSU has no PFC, passive PFC or APFC should make NO difference whatsoever in the noise of the fan.

If the Fortron non-PFC PSU makes less noise, it is most likely because the fan in that model uses a sleeve bearing rather than ball bearing. PSU makers put sleeve bearing fans in their cheapest models, because sleeve bearing fans are the cheapest. Ball bearing fans are reserved for their more pricey models.

Ball bearing fans tend to last longer in a PSU because of the heat factor: Sleeve bearing need internal lubrication to keep working; the heat in a PSU dries them up and kills them faster than the ball bearings.

The downside of ball bearings is that they tend to rattle/chatter unless they are top notch. They are also more easily damaged by shock.

The fan in my FSP300-60PN sample is a Yate Loon D12SM-12, which is definitely a sleeve bearing model. My bet would be that the PFC model has a ball bearing fan.

EDIT: I reiterate -- this sample has the noisekiller tag and it is quiet. Certainly would not call it noisy, it is very close to a Nexus, and the fan speed did not increase on the testbench with 100W & 125W loads. No time / headspace for full range of tests yet. (Personally, I'd take it over an Enermax any day... but you did say it was modded.)

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 6:32 am

Yep, I agree the technology behind PFC should not make a difference. But something is constructed or adjusted differently with this particular (PF) version.

Maybe since I was the first to get the PSU, maybe I got a beta version or something, because I have a hard time hearing if it's even on. I have to put my head near it to hear it. I have to put my hand at least 6 inches near it to feel any airflow. The (PF) version does not seem to be that way from what these guys are saying.

livedistortion · Post by **livedistortion** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 9:55 am

I just received a D8000 from Jim at coolcases. I got the sparkle 350W 120 fan model. What exact model number should I look for to make sure I got the right one? I assume if it doesn't work out for me that Jim would work something out to make it right. He's been great to deal with so far.

Katana Man · Post by **Katana Man** » Wed Apr 30, 2003 10:01 am

Does it say FSP350-60PN or FSP350-60PN(PF) ?

livedistortion · Post by **livedistortion** » Thu May 01, 2003 4:56 am

I'll check tonight.

Thanks

larrymoencurly · Post by **larrymoencurly** » Thu May 01, 2003 5:38 pm

Passive PFC PSUs have a big coil. Do active PFC PSUs have this? Because in my Fortron/Sparkle AT-300GTX, the passive PFC coil takes up so much space that the heatsink for the high voltage side had to be cut way back in size, and maybe this requires the fan to run faster (but this one's 80mm fan is pretty quiet).

Kostik · Post by **Kostik** » Fri May 02, 2003 6:17 am

According to this web page, PSUs sold in europe must have PFC. This means the FSP300-60PN I ordered is in fact a FSP300-60PN(PF).

I think it would be great if we all took pictures of our PSUs, post them to a new thread and try to find out what's different between the PF and non PF versions. If, as MikeC suggested, they use different fans, people who have the PF version may then replace the fans with the one they use in the non-PF version.

When I get mine I'll let you know what exact fan it comes with.

Kostik · Post by **Kostik** » Tue May 06, 2003 1:04 am

Ok, I received my FSP300-60PN(PF) yesterday. Good guess MikeC : it comes with a ball bearing fan. It's not a noisy PSU, neither a silent one, but I would say it's good value for the money.

To sum up : if you buy this PSU in europe, you get the (PF) version, which comes with a ball bearing fan.

I suppose that if you replace this fan with a sleeve bearing 120mm 56CFM@12v one, you get the same PSU they have in the US, but there might be other differences.

AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF) 120mm fan PSU - major disappointment

AOpen FSP300-60PN(PF) 120mm fan PSU - major disappointment

Fortron/Source has the same models

Is this the same as the 300XFPN?