This review needs to be updated to state this unit is SFX-L, not SFX. This unit will not fit in a lot of small form factor (SFF) cases that only accept SFX sized PSU, not the extra long SFX-L.
It is definitely not 100mm, as stated at the top of the second page of the review and in Seasonic's specifications. It is 125mm deep https://seasonic.com/focus-sgx#specification
My apologies! Yup, I see the extra 25mm in the specs; I misread the original. Bloody hell, this would have been a decent choice to drop into my 2400G-in-an-Apple-][-case project. Thanks for the keen eye!
I guess the real catch is this effectively becomes SFX-L after connecting the cables because the connectors and wires add about 20mm to the length, where a non modular design could have the wires sandwiched between an interfering component.
Yep thats wht I was thinking , if you include the bulky connectors , thats maybe why modular FSX PSU should have some sort of flat connectors or have them indented (somehow). Johhny Canadian ..650w , even 450w is too much for a 2400G , You'd get away with 250w or even HDPLEX 160w, surely..and unless you plan to light it up like leicester Square.?
Aww, this got my hopes up. The case I have only really works with SFX, not SFX-L and the headline called this a SFX. But hey, at least Seasonic is addressing the SFF market now. For ages they've just ignored the enthusiast SFF segment.
Technically speaking, there is no SFX-L standard; that's just a term made up by SilverStone in 2013 (or 2014, my memory fails me) to describe their SFX units that were longer than 100 mm. I try and only use that term for SilverStone's products as it does not really apply to any other manufacturer (unless they choose to use the term themselves). SeaSonic even specifies that the form factor of the SGX-650 is Intel SFX in the product's manual, which this unit clearly is not fully compliant with. I cannot just baptize it whatever I want myself though, I can only state the facts, as I did on the second page of the review.
That seems like a weird cop-out. All price comparison websites in Germany I know of have SFX-L as a seperate tab and they are not only comprised of Silverstone PSUs. Who do you want to standardize the form factor anyway? As far as I can see, Intel standardized ATX and Via standardized ITX. Are we supposed to just call ITX motherboards not made by Via as "smaller than ATX" motherboards in one paragraph and then just call them ATX in the rest of the review? And of course you can "baptize" the PSU however you want in a review you are writing yourself, just give sufficient explanation and people will more than likely thank you for being more clear than the manufacturer. If you just repeat the manufacturers talking points, reviews are useless. Call a duck a duck and not a somewhat misshapen swan. If someone is first to market with a good idea, they get to name it. If the idea is so good that others start to copy/adopt it, the name likely becomes the standard for the industry.
The thing is that despite Seasonic using the term on their amazon marketing it doesn't quite fit Silverstone's made up SFX-L standard, which is 130x125x63.5. Seasonic made this one 125x125x63.5; which is a hair smaller. Unless bastardized SFX PSUs start to proliferate (like long ATX supplies have) it probably doesn't matter since everything will either be the actual standard and only support 100mm long supplies or support the 130mm length Silverstone's marketing is calling SFX-L
I believe that using your own example will help you understand why SFX-L is not a real standard. For something to classify as a "standard", it first has to have at least some basic specifications published (and adopted by a significant portion of the industry, but even just published would do). When VIA proposed the Mini-ITX standard, they published a lengthy white paper indicating its precise dimensions, expected energy requirements and dissipation, reference guides, etc. On the other hand, "anything longer than 100mm" does not classify as a standard at all and that is why SFX-L has not been adopted as a real standard by the industry. If it eventually will, it will have to clarify precisely how long the product should be.
And, as I said above, that term was just SilverStone's invention. I cannot pretend to know what their intentions were as a company but the fact is that it never actually was anything more than a marketing term. Besides, you are not calling ATX PSUs that are more than 140 mm "ATX-L", are you?
Why put SFX at all if it's not valid SFX? Why not just put ATX, as it's more compliant with ATX than SFX? There's even an ATX bracket included, so it clearly can be used where an ATX PSU is expected.
The irony is the silverstone sfx unit you are mentioning is a 550w standard length SFX PSU, though not modular. Ironic, because this Seasonic - as good as it is, really can’t handle beyond 550w at high temps where the silverstone can.
"Opting to go with a 1200mm anyhow, SeaSonic has lengthened the chassis slightly, so the Focus Gold SGX-650 measures 25 mm longer than a standard SFX PSU"
The missing part that seems pretty crucial for a product review:
"We call this SFX-L", folks. It won't fit in a traditional SFX chassis, but that's fine because it's better. But as responsible reviewers, we thought you should know that."
It's a good point, but the manufacturer is pretty clear about it on sites where the PSU in question can be purchased. There are a number of SFF cases that will accept SFX-L power supplies too because its difficult to cram mid- to high-output circuitry into a standard SFX supply. I do agree that it ought to be more clearly noted in the article, but there are other places where a potential buyer will have a chance to discover the size before making a purchase.
The whole article is about SFX with no explanation. SFX is mention over and over and over. Does the author know? Does not matter this is a tech site, acronyms should always be stated complete at least once.
Hmm, what is your tolerance point for very common acronyms like CPU or RAM for instance where the acronym itself is broadly understood and, to a great extent, replaced the underlying terminology from which they are derived? Maybe it would be helpful for Anandtech to host a technology term glossary or at least refer the reader to an existing one elsewhere.
Regarding all the confusion about whether the form factor is SFX or SFX-L, I think the problem is with Seasonic. I was browsing their SFX/-L PSU's yesterday and I was confused by the Seasonic site itself. The online catalog of SFX/-L PSU's is difficult make sense of, for me.
Are there 3 "SFX/-L" PSU's in total, or is the total 4?
It would be more useful if Seasonic updated their own website. Our information really derives from that.
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u.of.ipod - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
This review needs to be updated to state this unit is SFX-L, not SFX. This unit will not fit in a lot of small form factor (SFF) cases that only accept SFX sized PSU, not the extra long SFX-L.johnnycanadian - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
I don't think this one is SFX-L: this one is 100mm deep whereas SFX-L PSUs are 130mm deep. This one seems to be SFX through-and-through.NateDawg72 - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
It is definitely not 100mm, as stated at the top of the second page of the review and in Seasonic's specifications. It is 125mm deephttps://seasonic.com/focus-sgx#specification
johnnycanadian - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
My apologies! Yup, I see the extra 25mm in the specs; I misread the original. Bloody hell, this would have been a decent choice to drop into my 2400G-in-an-Apple-][-case project. Thanks for the keen eye!Spoelie - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
Use the corsair SF450 or 650 instead in that caseSamus - Monday, March 11, 2019 - link
I guess the real catch is this effectively becomes SFX-L after connecting the cables because the connectors and wires add about 20mm to the length, where a non modular design could have the wires sandwiched between an interfering component.dromoxen - Thursday, March 21, 2019 - link
Yep thats wht I was thinking , if you include the bulky connectors , thats maybe why modular FSX PSU should have some sort of flat connectors or have them indented (somehow).Johhny Canadian ..650w , even 450w is too much for a 2400G , You'd get away with 250w or even HDPLEX 160w, surely..and unless you plan to light it up like leicester Square.?
dromoxen - Thursday, March 21, 2019 - link
And that lowered rating vs the op, temp is a bit sneaky ...nevcairiel - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
The first paragraph on the second page specifically calls out that its longer then normal SFX and therefor may not fit in some cases, FWIW.Death666Angel - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Yeah, but there is a name for them and that is SFX-L as u.of.ipod stated. Makes it much less ambiguous.Mr Perfect - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Aww, this got my hopes up. The case I have only really works with SFX, not SFX-L and the headline called this a SFX. But hey, at least Seasonic is addressing the SFF market now. For ages they've just ignored the enthusiast SFF segment.abrowne1993 - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Yep, the included Amazon link even mentions that it's SFX-L in the description. Should really be specified more clearly here.E.Fyll - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Technically speaking, there is no SFX-L standard; that's just a term made up by SilverStone in 2013 (or 2014, my memory fails me) to describe their SFX units that were longer than 100 mm. I try and only use that term for SilverStone's products as it does not really apply to any other manufacturer (unless they choose to use the term themselves). SeaSonic even specifies that the form factor of the SGX-650 is Intel SFX in the product's manual, which this unit clearly is not fully compliant with. I cannot just baptize it whatever I want myself though, I can only state the facts, as I did on the second page of the review.piroroadkill - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
Once enough products fall into a "made-up" standard, it becomes a de-facto standard. That's just how it is.Death666Angel - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
That seems like a weird cop-out. All price comparison websites in Germany I know of have SFX-L as a seperate tab and they are not only comprised of Silverstone PSUs. Who do you want to standardize the form factor anyway? As far as I can see, Intel standardized ATX and Via standardized ITX. Are we supposed to just call ITX motherboards not made by Via as "smaller than ATX" motherboards in one paragraph and then just call them ATX in the rest of the review? And of course you can "baptize" the PSU however you want in a review you are writing yourself, just give sufficient explanation and people will more than likely thank you for being more clear than the manufacturer. If you just repeat the manufacturers talking points, reviews are useless. Call a duck a duck and not a somewhat misshapen swan. If someone is first to market with a good idea, they get to name it. If the idea is so good that others start to copy/adopt it, the name likely becomes the standard for the industry.DanNeely - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
The thing is that despite Seasonic using the term on their amazon marketing it doesn't quite fit Silverstone's made up SFX-L standard, which is 130x125x63.5. Seasonic made this one 125x125x63.5; which is a hair smaller. Unless bastardized SFX PSUs start to proliferate (like long ATX supplies have) it probably doesn't matter since everything will either be the actual standard and only support 100mm long supplies or support the 130mm length Silverstone's marketing is calling SFX-LE.Fyll - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
I believe that using your own example will help you understand why SFX-L is not a real standard.For something to classify as a "standard", it first has to have at least some basic specifications published (and adopted by a significant portion of the industry, but even just published would do). When VIA proposed the Mini-ITX standard, they published a lengthy white paper indicating its precise dimensions, expected energy requirements and dissipation, reference guides, etc. On the other hand, "anything longer than 100mm" does not classify as a standard at all and that is why SFX-L has not been adopted as a real standard by the industry. If it eventually will, it will have to clarify precisely how long the product should be.
And, as I said above, that term was just SilverStone's invention. I cannot pretend to know what their intentions were as a company but the fact is that it never actually was anything more than a marketing term. Besides, you are not calling ATX PSUs that are more than 140 mm "ATX-L", are you?
lmcd - Thursday, March 14, 2019 - link
Why put SFX at all if it's not valid SFX? Why not just put ATX, as it's more compliant with ATX than SFX? There's even an ATX bracket included, so it clearly can be used where an ATX PSU is expected.And that's why SFX-L is the correct moniker here.
Mr Perfect - Saturday, March 9, 2019 - link
That's interesting, today I learned that SFX-L isn't a defined standard.Samus - Monday, March 11, 2019 - link
The irony is the silverstone sfx unit you are mentioning is a 550w standard length SFX PSU, though not modular. Ironic, because this Seasonic - as good as it is, really can’t handle beyond 550w at high temps where the silverstone can.The silverstone is $40 less.
Sivar - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
I thought I'd report a typo: "Although the selection of **hgih**-end SFX PSUs"Thank you for the article.
Ryan Smith - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
Thanks!SonicIce - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
There was a short period where their high end PSU's were manufactured in Taiwan with a 12 year warranty. Wonder why they went back to China?Hul8 - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
The Focus series is not high end, that's why.Alistair - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
It's a review without a comparison to the Corsair model? What kind of review is that...Alistair - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
That came out more negative than I meant it to. But I mainly want to know what advantages the Seasonic model might have vs. the Corsair one.FXi - Thursday, March 7, 2019 - link
This might make a very nice and quiet PSU for the Alienware amplifierR3MF - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
"Opting to go with a 1200mm anyhow, SeaSonic has lengthened the chassis slightly, so the Focus Gold SGX-650 measures 25 mm longer than a standard SFX PSU"The missing part that seems pretty crucial for a product review:
"We call this SFX-L", folks. It won't fit in a traditional SFX chassis, but that's fine because it's better. But as responsible reviewers, we thought you should know that."
Your welcome. ;)
PeachNCream - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
It's a good point, but the manufacturer is pretty clear about it on sites where the PSU in question can be purchased. There are a number of SFF cases that will accept SFX-L power supplies too because its difficult to cram mid- to high-output circuitry into a standard SFX supply. I do agree that it ought to be more clearly noted in the article, but there are other places where a potential buyer will have a chance to discover the size before making a purchase.justareader - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
The whole article is about SFX with no explanation. SFX is mention over and over and over. Does the author know? Does not matter this is a tech site, acronyms should always be stated complete at least once.PeachNCream - Friday, March 8, 2019 - link
Hmm, what is your tolerance point for very common acronyms like CPU or RAM for instance where the acronym itself is broadly understood and, to a great extent, replaced the underlying terminology from which they are derived? Maybe it would be helpful for Anandtech to host a technology term glossary or at least refer the reader to an existing one elsewhere.TelstarTOS - Monday, March 11, 2019 - link
Corsair SF are a little better, but it's always good to have more choices.mahdu4ungt - Saturday, April 6, 2019 - link
http://madhu-mumbaiescorts.commahdu4ungt - Saturday, April 6, 2019 - link
https://madhuvipservice.blogspot.com/mahdu4ungt - Saturday, April 6, 2019 - link
https://plus.google.com/u/0/111700830844612306528mahdu4ungt - Saturday, April 6, 2019 - link
https://hyderabad4night.blogspot.com/mahdu4ungt - Saturday, April 6, 2019 - link
http://madhutomar.blogspot.comullbeking - Sunday, August 25, 2019 - link
Regarding all the confusion about whether the form factor is SFX or SFX-L, I think the problem is with Seasonic. I was browsing their SFX/-L PSU's yesterday and I was confused by the Seasonic site itself. The online catalog of SFX/-L PSU's is difficult make sense of, for me.Are there 3 "SFX/-L" PSU's in total, or is the total 4?
It would be more useful if Seasonic updated their own website. Our information really derives from that.