Testing
The following system was used to test the cooler:
– Processor: Intel i9 9900K @ 5GHz
– Motherboard: ASRock Z390 Phantom Gaming X
– RAM: GOODRAM IRDM PRO 16GB DDR4-3600MHz
– GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 2070 Super Gaming X Trio
– SSD: Crucial P2 500GB
– Mass storage: GOODRAM IRDM PRO GEN.2 1TB
– CPU Cooler: SilverStone Permafrost PF240W-ARGB with NoiseBlocker eLoop B12-PS
– Display: AOC i2769VM
– Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 White
– OS: Windows 10 64-Bit (After April Update)
The above system has a power consumption of approximately 502W when in full load and 68W when idle, in order to test the efficiency of the Power Supply, the power draw of the system was measured at the wall socket. Also, the voltages were measured on the +12v +5v and +3.3v using a multi-meter.
To load the system to its maximum the stability test of the AIDA64 Extreme 6.50.5800 was used with Intel Burn Test V2.
The Power Supply was tested with the system both idle and at maximum load.
Power Supply efficiency
For rail voltage tolerance levels, ATX (Power Supply Design Guide) specify that a 5% variable fluctuation is acceptable.
Voltage oscillation idle
Voltage oscillation load
The noise level was measured at three different distances from the fans (10cm, 20cm, 30cm.) the noise was measured with a margin of error of ± 5 db.
Final thoughts
The Chieftec Polaris 650W Gold performs within its specifications, however it has tough competition in terms of both performance and especially in terms of pricing. At the moment of this review, the Polaris 650W Gold has the same price as the Seasonic FOCUS GX-650W Gold, a unit that is better in many ways.
The Polaris 650W Gold is good enough for any gaming system unless we are talking about a high TDP CPU and high overclocking for both the graphics card and the CPU.
The build quality is acceptable, but the usage of unknown capacitors is not that great, also the soldering quality could have been better. In addition, the usage of wires to connect the modular connector PCB to the rest of the power supply PCB is a letdown, a direct connection between the two PCBs would have been great to see.
The Sirtec High Power platform is alright but the Chieftec Polaris 650W is not exactly cheap, and to see a few cut corners is not a good sign. Mainly because, as I’ve said before, this power supply is competing directly with the Focus Gold series which has already established itself as one of the best, especially around this price point.
In conclusion, the Chieftec Polaris 650W Gold would be a good power supply, if it were cheaper. At the current price point it has a lot to live for. It is not a bad unit, it performs as promised but it’s too expensive to be worth the buy.
