An increasingly common face in the power supply market, the bulk of XPG's work thus far has been on high-end, high-margin power supplies, such as their 80Plus Platinum-rated Cybercore II. But as the company has become better established in the PSU market on the back of multiple successful products, the company is looking to expand their footprint by venturing into the mid-range segment.

Spearheading that effort is the new XPG Core Reactor II series. Looking to maintain their competitive edge with, what's frankly, a cheaper power supply design, XPG needs to walk a very tight rope, where where the equilibrium between performance, quality, and cost is crucial. In this category, PSUs must support a range of computing setups while maintaining a focus on value for money. The Core Reactor II series represents XPG's dedication to this segment, illustrating their capability to cater to a broad spectrum of users who seek a blend of reliable performance and economic viability.

As an 80Plus Gold certified unit and without too many bells and whistles, the Core Reactor II stands out for its practical design, tailored to deliver consistent performance without the premium cost. In examining the details of the XPG Core Reactor II series, we will evaluate how well these PSUs align with XPG’s commitment to affordable quality and whether they meet the diverse needs of mid-range computing environments.

Packaging and Bundle

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU is presented in robust and visually striking packaging. The box, crafted from strong cardboard, boasts a vivid red hue and prominently displays an image of the unit on the front. Ensuring protection during transport, the PSU is encased in dense packaging foam.

While the package contents are basic, they cover all necessities, including mounting screws and the essential AC power cable, complemented by a few decorative stickers for added flair.

The Core Reactor II 1200W PSU offers an array of cables, all uniformly colored in black, from connectors to wires. The majority of these cables are neatly sleeved, with the exception of the SATA, Molex, and the 12VHPWR to 8-pin PCIe cables.

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU

External Appearance

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU effectively manages a significant power output within its 160mm length, modestly exceeding the conventional ATX size. This deliberate sizing ensures it fits seamlessly into a diverse array of ATX-compliant cases, making it a versatile choice for different PC configurations, from desktop HTPCs to compact systems.

Avoiding a too flashy design, the Core Reactor II 1200W PSU is sprayed with a sleek matte black finish. This would be a very refined look if not for the embossed geometric patterns on the sides and an abstract geometric fan cutout, which add quite a bit of flair to the design. The top of the unit is covered with a comprehensive sticker that outlines its electrical specifications and certifications.

The front side of the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU is home only to the standard on/off switch and AC receptacle. The modular cable connectors are thoughtfully arranged on the rear of the unit, designed for straightforward and error-free connections. These connectors, while not color-coded, are surrounded by a clearly printed, bright white legend on the chassis, aiding in accurate cable installation.

Internal Design

For cooling, the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU employs a Hong Hua HA13525H12SF-Z fan, which is 135 mm in size, perfectly fitting within its slightly larger than standard ATX frame. This fan is of superior quality, featuring a Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) engine. FDB fans are renowned for their good durability and quiet performance, frequently finding application in high-performance PSUs.

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU uses a Channel-Well Technologies (CWT) platform. CWT is a highly reputable OEM when it comes to mainstream and high-performance PC PSUs.

The filtering stage, commencing at the AC receptacle, extends onto the main PCB. It comprises four Y capacitors, two X capacitors, and two filtering inductors, offering a slightly better than standard configuration, followed by with two standard rectifying bridges attached to their dedicated heatsink. The APFC stage includes two MOSFETs (AOTF095A60L) and one diode on their own heatsink, along with a large filtering inductor and two Nippon Chemi-Con capacitors (470 μF and 820 μF). This design ensures robust power regulation and stability.

On the primary side, the Core Reactor II uses a typical half-bridge LLC topology with two IPA60R125P6 power MOSFETs, attached to a dedicated heatsink. It is a fairly basic topology for mid-range PC PSUs with no surprises.

The secondary stage is notable for its ten 014N06NS MOSFETs on a vertical daughterboard, generating the primary 12V line. Additionally, DC-to-DC converters on another vertical daughterboard produce the 3.3V and 5V lines. The capacitors on this side, primarily a mix of electrolytic and polymer types from Nippon Chemi-Con, with a few from Rubycon, are all sourced from reputable Japanese manufacturers, underscoring the unit’s quality and durability.

Cold Test Results (~25°C Ambient Temperature)

For the testing of PSUs, we are using high precision electronic loads with a maximum power draw of 2700 Watts, a Rigol DS5042M 40 MHz oscilloscope, an Extech 380803 power analyzer, two high precision UNI-T UT-325 digital thermometers, an Extech HD600 SPL meter, a self-designed hotbox and various other bits and parts. For a thorough explanation of our testing methodology and more details on our equipment, please refer to our How We Test PSUs - 2014 Pipeline post.

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W power supply unit demonstrates commendable efficiency, aligning with its 80Plus Gold certification. Although the figures are not too high, it maintains good efficiency across a broad range of load conditions, resulting to a high average. In tests conducted with a 230 VAC input, the Core Reactor II achieves an average nominal load efficiency of 91.3%, a respectable figure within its category. This efficiency slightly decreases to 89.9% when tested under a 115 VAC input. While this reduction in efficiency is noticeable, it doesn't significantly detract from the unit's overall performance, which remains solidly high for a Gold-rated PSU.

The fan of the Core Reactor II 1200W PSU begins to operate when the PSU reaches 40% of its capacity. Despite its significant power output, the internal temperatures of the unit remain within reasonable limits, which is commendable given that the fan never reached its maximum speed during our room temperature testing.

During cold testing, the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU's fan initiates operation at 40% capacity. The fan speed is very slow up to a 60% load and increases progressively beyond this point. It will reach clearly audible figures once heavily loaded, even if only for a few seconds. However, even under heavy load conditions, the fan does not reach its maximum speed of 2300 RPM.

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.

Power Supply Quality

As part of our testing, we also check output parameters are within specifications, as well as voltage ripple and line noise.

The electrical performance of the XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU is notable, particularly for its focus on the primary 12V rail. This rail exhibits impressive regulation, maintaining a variance of only 0.7% across its nominal load range. Additionally, the PSU demonstrates effective voltage filtering, with a maximum voltage ripple of 30 mV on the 12V rail. The performance on the 3.3V and 5V rails is also commendable, showing voltage regulation of around 0.8% and maximum voltage ripples of 14 mV and 16 mV respectively. These figures are far better than design recommendations and are considered very good even for a performance product, indicating a well-engineered power supply.

In terms of primary protections, the XPG Core Reactor II has been thoroughly tested for Over Current, Over Voltage, Over Power, and Short Circuit protections. The results indicate reliable performance in these areas. Specifically, the Over Current Protection (OCP) on the 12V rail is effectively activated at 121% of the unit's maximum capacity. The Over Power Protection (OPP) also engages appropriately, triggering at 121% under high load conditions, providing a robust safety mechanism for the PSU.

Conclusion

The XPG Core Reactor II 1200W PSU stands out as a strong contender in the high-wattage power supply segment. It boasts a robust build quality and unique aesthetics, with a matte black exterior and geometric embossed patterns that add a subtle decorative touch without compromising its functional focus. The unit's internal design is efficiently organized, reflecting XPG's commitment to quality and performance in the PSU market. The use of high-grade Japanese capacitors, including Nippon Chemi-Con and a few Rubycon capacitors, underscores the PSU's reliability and durability.

In terms of power quality, the Core Reactor II excels with very good voltage regulation and effective filtering on every voltage rail. It achieves good energy conversion efficiency, with an average efficiency of 89.9% at 115 VAC and 91.3% at 230 VAC during cold testing, marking it as a competitive unit in its class. The efficiency remains steady across most of the load range, with the design’s weakest efficiency point being loads under 15% capacity.

Thermally, the Core Reactor II manages heat fairly effectively considering its power output and efficiency. The internal temperatures remain reasonable under various load conditions with the unit operating at or near room temperature. The fan, operating from 40% capacity, adjusts its speed according to the load, ensuring efficient cooling. The PSU's noise levels are minimal at lower loads, increasing only under heavy usage, making it suitable for environments where noise is a concern. The PSU will only get overly hot if heavily loaded inside a very warm operating environment, reaching temperatures that will provoke the OTP to kick in.

Priced at $185, the Core Reactor II offers good value, especially considering its all-around performance and the inclusion of a 10-year warranty. This positions it as an appealing option for users seeking a balance between cost, efficiency, and reliability. The Core Reactor II 1200W PSU, with its quality components, solid efficiency, and reliable thermal management, is a commendable choice for those in need of a robust and efficient power supply, offering a blend of performance and value that should be considered.