The Montech Century Gold 650W PSU Review: The New Kid Starts Out Strong
by E. Fylladitakis on July 19, 2022 8:30 AM ESTCold Test Results (~24°C Ambient)
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 80Plus certification requirements are stricter when the device is powered from a 230 VAC source, so most manufacturers only work towards meeting the requirements with a 115 VAC input. This is not the case here, as the Montech Century Gold 650W unit is exceptionally efficient regardless of the input voltage, easily meeting the 80Plus Gold requirements in either case. The average nominal load range (20% to 100% of the unit's capacity) efficiency of the Montech Century Gold 650W unit is 91.7% when powered from a 230 VAC source, or 90.9% when powered from a 115 VAC source.
Montech kept things simple with the Century Gold unit, including the thermal control circuitry. It is not capable of stopping the fan entirely and only controls its speed in relation to the internal temperature of the unit. Although the fan immediately starts when the PSU is powered on, it maintains a very low running speed across most of the load range. It is audible only from a very short distance while the load is below 400 Watts and it never becomes intolerably loud, not even with the PSU operating at maximum capacity.
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Threska - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
Well they could stand out by offering optional short cables in a carrying case so a person can mix and match with approved cables. That would stand out since most PSU companies don't. Also notice that that PSU would be good for cases that have a back vent instead of venting near the power switch.DanNeely - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
IIRC a few OEMs sell shorter cables as optional accessories. I don't see a full second set ever being bundled with a PSU due to the increased cost and confusion/complaints from people who're upset they can't use both sets of GPU/peripheral cables at the same time. I suspect similar concerns about the increased support load from people who don't pay attention also stands in the way of a second package containing only short cables instead of long ones.Bigger specsheet numbers stand in the way of including peripheral cables with variable numbers of plugs on them despite the fact that the days needing all 3 plugs on a string of 3 is increasingly unlikely. (Even though a mix of 2 and 3 plug cables used to be common years ago when they were all hard wired.) Some sort of modular setup built around splitter cables with 1 short and 1 long branch on a Y cable seems possible, but I haven't seen anyone actually do it.
Leeea - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
It feels like every year or two there is a new PSU brand that shows up offering X, Y, Z, and it is gone in another two years.Makes a person a bit leery.
artifex - Friday, July 22, 2022 - link
It helps that this author points out the OEMs involved in the actual manufacture of components.5j3rul3 - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
Is there any 850W version review?Montech Centry 850W ONLY sales 100USD in Taiwan, R.O.C.
Leeea - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
Wow!That would be a very good price for the quality of the components shown in this review.
edzieba - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
Sounds like they omitted 'premium' features (RGB, bundled bags, cable sleeving, extra cables, fancy case design, etc) in favour of spending that money on higher quality components. I can get behind that philosophy.bill.rookard - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
Agreed. So can I as most people don't see the PSU anyhow. Omit the fancy stuff, stick with a solid design and specify high quality parts and you'll have a good psu. Heck, that applies to almost anything these days.Threska - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
I don't see the bag as a premium feature for the simple reason people keep stuff like PSUs for a long time* and they don't always use everything (the benefit of a modular PSU).*Goes along with the ten year warranty.
Samus - Tuesday, July 19, 2022 - link
When you mentioned the phrase "PC Power & Cooling" I had to pour one out for the GOAT.