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A Bang For The Buck!
Summary
The Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU offers a compelling blend of affordability, efficiency, and reliability, making it an attractive choice for users seeking a power supply. It delivers efficient power delivery and stable performance under varying loads. The fully modular design and compact form factor enhance flexibility and ease of installation, while the robust voltage regulation ensures consistent power delivery to system components. However, users should be mindful of potential drawbacks, including noticeable fan noise under heavy loads and concerns regarding heat management during prolonged usage.
Hours Tested: 8 Hours
Overall
-
Build Quality - 8/10
8/10
-
Value - 9/10
9/10
-
Performance - 8/10
8/10
-
Future Proofing - 7/10
7/10
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Efficient power delivery
- Compact form factor
- Reliable voltage regulation
Cons
- Fan noise
- Limited overclocking capability
- Lack of native 12VHPWR connector
I recently tested the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 850W, and today, I’ll be testing and taking apart the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W – a PSU that stands out as one of the most affordable ATX 3.0 compatible options on the market. Given Enermax’s reputation for never compromising on quality and utilizing decent components, my focus is to assess whether they’ve upheld their winning formula with this particular PSU as well. So, let’s see whether this PSU still provides the necessary performance despite all the cutdowns.
Key Takeaways
- The Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU is a budget-friendly PSU designed for gaming enthusiasts and PC builders. It offers excellent value for its performance and features, including competitive pricing and reliable power delivery.
- You should buy the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W if you are looking for a budget-friendly PSU and prioritize efficiency.
- You should not buy the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W if you demand silent operation for your PC and require extensive overclocking capabilities.
Here are the specifications:
| 80 PLUS EFFICIENCY | GOLD |
| MODULAR | Fully modular |
| CABLE TYPE | Black flat |
| TOTAL POWER (W) | 1200 |
| INPUT VOLTAGE (V) | 100-240 |
| INPUT CURRENT (A) | 15-7 |
| INPUT FREQUENCY (HZ) | 47-63 |
| FAN SIZE (MM) | 120 |
| OPERATING TEMPERATURE (°C) | 40 |
| MTBF (HOURS) | >100K |
| PROTECTION | OCP, OVP, UVP, OPP, OTP, SCP |
| DIMENSION (D X W X H), (MM) | 140 x 150 x 86 |
Here is the output data:
| +3.3V(A) | 20 |
| +5V(A) | 20 |
| +12V1(A) | 100 |
| -12V(A) | 0.3 |
| +5VSB(A) | 2.5 |
| COMBINED WATTAGE 12V (W) | 1200 |
| COMBINED WATTAGE 3.3V + 5V(W) | 130 |
Packaging and Unboxing
The packaging of the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W is minimal yet provides a sense of adequate quality product inside it. The front side of the box displays an image of the PSU along with its notable features, the company’s logo, and the model’s name. On the other hand, the backside of the box showcases outstanding features related to the fan and the use of Japanese capacitors. Moreover, we are also presented with technical specifications and a list of all the cables and connectors.
Upon opening the packaging, we are first presented with the 12VHWPR adapter cable along with a manual guide. Beneath them is the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W wrapped around bubble perforated wrap along with required cables hidden in a bag.
Design
Enermax came up with an elegant and minimalistic design approach when it comes to this PSU. This PSU shows up with no frills and has a simple appearance compared to different PSUs in the market, as they wanted to reduce the cost by having a normal design and investing their manufacturing expense internally. Notably, this is one of the most compact PSUs that I have seen in the market, with dimensions of 140 x 150 x 86 mm. Therefore, it can fit in a wide variety of cases with ease.
Cable & Connectors
Here is a look at the modular bay, where you can see all the connection types that come with this PSU, along with all the cables it provides. The cables are all in black and quite flexible; it helps ease the process of assembling the components when building a PC. On the downside, to reduce costs, this PSU doesn’t come with a native 12VHPWR connector.
Instead, it includes a converter cable that converts 2-8 pins connectors into a 12VHPWR connector. Enermax advised to ensure proper cable insertion into the port by gently gripping both ends with the fingertips and inserting it straight, taking care not to bend or leave gaps in the cable. The PSU comes with these cables and connectors:
| Cable Type | Quantity | Length |
| Motherboard 24 (20+4) pin | 1 | 1x 65cm |
| CPU 4+4 Pin | 2 | 1 x 60cm, 1 x 70cm |
| PCIe 6+2 pin | 8 | 4 x 65/15cm |
| 12VHPWR Adapter 12+4 pin (Optional) | 1 | 1 x 60cm |
| SATA | 6 | 2 x 50/15/15cm |
| 1x SATA + 2x 4P Molex | 2+4 | 2 x 50/15/15cm |
| FDD | 1 | 1 x 10cm |
Fan
This PSU has a 135mm fluid dynamic bearing fan. Generally speaking, Enermax has faced some issues with its fans. In previous PSU batches, there were recalls due to bearing issues originating from manufacturing defects. While the fan in this PSU is different, it still exhibits the same grinding issue upon initial spinning.
As a result, I encountered a similar problem with the fan, which was identical to the issue that led Enermax to recall previous PSU units. Notably, this can be highly audible under heavy loads. Therefore, many of those who are sensitive to noise levels can find the PSU’s cooling system noticeable during intense computing tasks.
Teardown & Component Analysis
Enermax is known for offering PSUs at more affordable prices than others without sacrificing quality standards. This commitment is commendable. They typically source their platform from lesser-known OEMs and incorporate adequate quality components into their products. With this PSU, they have made even more cost-cutting measures, following their philosophy of providing reasonably priced PSUs with decent quality components, resulting in acceptable performance at a relatively lower cost than competitors.
The new PSU platform closely resembles the previous model, with the same half-bridge LLC resonant converter and DC-DC topology. Their strategy involves a secret recipe for reducing component costs while maintaining quality. In this PSU, they opted for decent, albeit not top-of-the-line, components. Therefore, instead of using premium brands like Rubycon, Nichicon, or Chemi-Con for capacitors, they have chosen Japanese capacitors from Toshin Kogyo.
Although not the best, these capacitors are still of sufficient quality. It’s noteworthy that despite their efforts to reduce costs, they haven’t compromised on the quality of their components, opting for Japanese capacitors to ensure reliability and performance. Notably, the Revolution D.F. series implements advanced LLC and Synchronous Rectifier (SR) designs to ensure uncompromised power output. With DC-to-DC conversion optimizing stability for improved voltage regulation, these features guarantee reliable operation for high-end processors and GPUs.
The Revolution D.F. 2 has an 80 PLUS Gold certification, which means it can reach up to 92% efficiency. Plus, thanks to its Japanese electrolytic capacitors the efficiency and overall durability are also rock-solid. Compared to its 850W variant that I just tested, in this, we see beefed-up power MOSFETs on the primary side and all 6 12V MOSFETS populated near the 12V rail transformer
The most cost-effective ATX 3.0 compatible PSU that I have seen
PSU Load Testing
12V & Minor Voltage Rails Regulation
Applying loads ranging from 20% to 100% on the 12V rail, alongside maintaining a constant 25W load on the minor rails (5V and 3.3V), offers a comprehensive evaluation of PSU performance. This approach acknowledges the pivotal role of the 12V rail in powering high-demand components such as the CPU and GPU, hence the need for varying stress levels. Meanwhile, the minor rails, responsible for less power-hungry components like HDDs, SSDs, and RAM, consistently maintain their load throughout the assessment.
| Load in % | 12V | 5V | 3.3V |
| 20% | 12.04V | 5.11V | 3.38V |
| 50% | 11.97V | 5.11V | 3.38V |
| 70% | 11.96V | 5.11V | 3.38V |
| 90% | 11.94V | 5.11V | 3.38V |
| 100% | 11.93V | 5.11V | 3.38V |
This test demonstrates commendable performance across varying load levels. The voltage regulation on the 12V rail remains consistently stable, with minimal deviation observed even under heavy loads. Similarly, the minor voltage rails, including the 5V and 3.3V outputs, showcase excellent regulation, maintaining steady voltage levels throughout the testing process.
PSU Efficiency
The efficiency of a PSU is crucial because it directly relates to wasted energy, which is evident in both Watts and heat. High levels of wasted wattage can lead to considerable increases in electricity bills, while excessive heat can negatively impact the lifespan of crucial internal components, especially capacitors.
| Load in % | Power Factor | Efficiency |
| 20% | 0.938 | 92.62% |
| 50% | 0.982 | 93.45% |
| 70% | 0.991 | 92.71% |
| 90% | 0.996 | 91.91% |
| 100% | 0.997 | 90.97% |
It proves to be a highly efficient power supply unit across various load levels. The efficiency ratings remain consistently high, aligning with its 80 PLUS Gold certification and reflecting its ability to minimize wasted energy and heat generation.
Voltage Ripple Performance
This test will assess the minor and extreme overclocking performance of the PSU. Exceptional voltage ripple performance signifies a PSU built with premium components. Generally, PSUs generate output voltages in DC (Direct Current). Ideally, this DC signal should have an absolute frequency of 0 (zero) mV.
However, due to its derivation from various steps originating from an AC source signal, there’s inevitably some presence of an AC voltage signal, known as Voltage Ripple. The longevity of electrolytic capacitors can be reduced by elevated voltage ripples, leading to issues and potentially causing system crashes, particularly when overclocking.
| Load in % | Voltage Ripple |
| 20% | 12mV |
| 50% | 14mV |
| 70% | 13.6mV |
| 90% | 16mV |
| 100% | 20mV |
While this PSU may not be suitable for extreme overclocking, it can still be a viable option for minor overclockers. It should also be sufficient for powering GPUs like the RTX 4070 without issues.
Temperatures
It’s worth noting that this PSU is not recommended for prolonged usage on maximum load. The heatsink management on the MOSFETs seems lacking and has been compromised significantly. This is evident from the temperature at the back, which has reached 62.3 degrees. I already discussed that with its 850W variant and Enermax has just hit the limit on this one. It simply can’t keep up with the massive 1200W of output power as it heats up to the concerned levels.
Should You Buy it?
Buy it if
✅You want a cost-effective PSU solution: The Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU offers adequate performance at a competitive price point, making it an appealing choice for gamers looking to power their latest high-end components.
✅You prioritize efficiency: If efficiency is a key consideration, the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU delivers consistently high efficiency across varying load levels.
Don’t Buy it if
❌You prefer silent operation for your PC: For users who prioritize near-silent operation, particularly during intense computing tasks, the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU may fall short of expectations.
❌You require extensive overclocking capabilities: If you’re an enthusiast who frequently engages in extreme overclocking to push your system to its limits, the Enermax Revolution D.F.2 1200W PSU may not meet your needs.
Final Verdict
I highly appreciate Enermax’s effort to give budget-oriented gamers hope regarding affordable ATX3.0 PSUs. Still, I would like Enermax to just hold their horses for a second there and continue working with some decent OEMs to further improve the performance of their PSUs, especially in voltage ripples, because that’s where they currently lack compared to other competitors. The main highlight here is Enermax’s commitment to providing cost-effective PSU solutions without compromising component quality.
Their latest release is among the most budget-oriented ATX3.0 compatible PSUs available, yet it still maintains an adequate quality for powering GPUs like the RTX 4070. On the downside, it seems like Enermax has reached its limit for cost-effectiveness with this one, as we don’t see any value in spending on a 1200W unit with poor heat management and no 12VHPWR native connector. Instead, we believe its 850W variant to be of much better value.
Coming Next: ENERMAX REVOLUTION D.F. X 1050W Review
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[Errors Troubleshooting Expert]
Arsalan Shakil (aka GuyThatDoesEverything on YouTube) is a PC Tech Enthusiast and Electronic Geek. With over 10+ years of experience in Electronics, he then decided to explore Software Engineering to design embedded products and automate existing hardware solutions.
When he started tearing down old cameras to understand how they worked, he was shocked (literally, when he got zapped by a flash discharge capacitor), giving him the power (debatable) to fall in love with videography/photography. He also started making some fun videos that later became YouTube tech reviews.
Skills:
- 10+ years of experience in Electronics design, embedded solutions, and prototyping
- Majored in Software Engineering
- Research paper publication in IEEE for Embedded Military Uniform & LoRa WAN wireless technology
- Specialized in IoT Solutions
- PC Enthusiast & PC Modder
In his local region, he’s known to expose cheap PSU brands, often claiming fake certification or false claims on the box. He’s a true nerd and needed some friends in his life. Then he met some guys who work at Tech4Gamers, and they also came out to be equal nerds who suggested he join Tech4Gamers as a Hardware Expert.
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