Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Seasonic Focus GX-850 power supply unit (PSU). If you're building a high-end gaming rig or a workstation that demands stable and efficient power, you've probably heard of Seasonic. They're known for their quality components and reliability, and the Focus GX series is one of their most popular lines. This Seasonic 850W Focus GX 850 review aims to dissect every aspect of this PSU, from its performance and features to its pros and cons, helping you decide if it’s the right choice for your next build. So, buckle up, and let’s get started!

Unboxing and First Impressions

Right off the bat, the packaging of the Seasonic Focus GX-850 gives you a sense of quality. Inside the box, you'll find the PSU itself, neatly wrapped and protected. Along with it, you get a modular cable set, an AC power cord, mounting screws, zip ties for cable management, and a user manual. Seasonic includes everything you need for a hassle-free installation. The PSU has a sleek, all-black design with a matte finish, making it look clean and professional in any build. The build quality feels solid; holding it in your hand, you can tell it's made with high-quality components. The fully modular design is a huge plus, allowing you to use only the cables you need, reducing clutter and improving airflow inside your case. The included cables are flat and flexible, making them easy to route and manage. Overall, the initial impression is that the Seasonic Focus GX-850 is a well-built, thoughtfully designed power supply ready to deliver reliable power to your system.

Features and Specifications

The Seasonic Focus GX-850 is packed with features that make it a standout choice for any PC build. Let's break down some of the key specifications:

• 80+ Gold Certification: This certification guarantees high energy efficiency, meaning it wastes less power and generates less heat. Specifically, it ensures at least 87% efficiency at 20% load, 90% efficiency at 50% load, and 87% efficiency at 100% load. This not only saves you money on your electricity bill but also helps prolong the lifespan of the PSU.
• Fully Modular Design: As mentioned earlier, the fully modular design allows you to connect only the cables you need, minimizing clutter and improving airflow inside your case. This is especially beneficial if you have a smaller case or want a clean, organized build.
• Silent Fan Control: Seasonic's S3FC fan control intelligently adjusts the fan speed based on the PSU's temperature, keeping it virtually silent during low to moderate loads. This ensures a quiet computing experience without compromising cooling performance.
• High-Quality Components: Seasonic uses Japanese capacitors, known for their reliability and longevity. These capacitors can withstand high temperatures and provide stable power delivery, ensuring the PSU lasts for years.
• Comprehensive Protection: The Focus GX-850 includes multiple protection features such as over-voltage protection (OVP), over-current protection (OCP), over-power protection (OPP), short-circuit protection (SCP), under-voltage protection (UVP), and over-temperature protection (OTP). These protections safeguard your components from potential damage due to power fluctuations or failures.
• 10-Year Warranty: Seasonic stands behind its products with an impressive 10-year warranty, giving you peace of mind knowing that your investment is protected for a long time.

Performance and Efficiency

When it comes to performance, the Seasonic Focus GX-850 truly shines. Its 80+ Gold certification ensures high energy efficiency across various load levels. In practical terms, this means that the PSU wastes less power as heat, resulting in lower electricity bills and a cooler, quieter system. During testing, the Focus GX-850 consistently delivered stable and clean power, even under heavy loads. Voltage regulation was excellent, with minimal fluctuations on the 12V, 5V, and 3.3V rails. This is crucial for maintaining the stability and reliability of your components, especially when overclocking or running demanding applications. The silent fan control feature works exceptionally well, keeping the PSU virtually silent during typical usage. Even under sustained loads, the fan noise remained minimal, making it an excellent choice for noise-sensitive environments. Overall, the Seasonic Focus GX-850 delivers outstanding performance and efficiency, making it a top-tier PSU for any high-performance PC build.

Noise Levels and Cooling

One of the standout features of the Seasonic Focus GX-850 is its exceptional noise levels and cooling performance. Thanks to its intelligent S3FC fan control, the PSU operates virtually silently under low to moderate loads. The fan only spins up when necessary, keeping noise levels to a minimum. Even under heavy loads, the fan noise remains minimal, making it an ideal choice for users who prioritize a quiet computing experience. The cooling performance is equally impressive. The 120mm fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) fan efficiently dissipates heat, ensuring the PSU operates within safe temperature limits. The internal components are well-cooled, thanks to the efficient design and high-quality thermal pads. During testing, the PSU's temperature remained well within acceptable ranges, even under sustained, high-power loads. This combination of low noise levels and efficient cooling makes the Seasonic Focus GX-850 a top performer in its class, providing a comfortable and reliable computing experience.

Pros and Cons

To give you a balanced view, let's weigh the pros and cons of the Seasonic Focus GX-850:

Pros:

• High Efficiency: 80+ Gold certification ensures excellent energy efficiency, saving you money on electricity bills and reducing heat output.
• Fully Modular Design: Simplifies cable management, reduces clutter, and improves airflow inside your case.
• Silent Operation: Intelligent fan control keeps the PSU virtually silent during low to moderate loads.
• High-Quality Components: Japanese capacitors and robust build quality ensure long-term reliability and stable power delivery.
• Comprehensive Protection: Multiple protection features safeguard your components from potential damage.
• 10-Year Warranty: Provides peace of mind and protects your investment for a decade.

Cons:

• Price: The Seasonic Focus GX-850 is relatively expensive compared to some other 850W PSUs on the market.
• Cable Stiffness: Some users have reported that the included cables are a bit stiff, making them slightly challenging to route in tight spaces. While they are flat, more flexible cables would be ideal.

Alternatives to the Seasonic Focus GX-850

If the Seasonic Focus GX-850 doesn't quite fit your needs or budget, here are a few alternatives to consider:

• Corsair RM850x: The Corsair RM850x is another excellent 850W PSU with an 80+ Gold certification. It features a fully modular design, silent operation, and high-quality components. It's a strong contender and often similarly priced to the Seasonic Focus GX-850.
• EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G6: The EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G6 is another solid option with an 80+ Gold certification and a fully modular design. It offers excellent performance and reliability and often comes at a slightly lower price point than the Seasonic Focus GX-850.
• be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W: If you prioritize silent operation above all else, the be quiet! Straight Power 11 850W is worth considering. It features a high-quality Silent Wings 3 fan and is designed for ultra-quiet performance.

Installation Guide

Installing the Seasonic Focus GX-850 is a straightforward process, especially with its fully modular design. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the installation:

1. Safety First: Before you begin, make sure your computer is turned off and unplugged from the power outlet. This will prevent any electrical shock.
2. Remove Old PSU (If Applicable): If you're replacing an existing PSU, disconnect all the cables from your components and remove the old PSU from the case.
3. Mount the Seasonic Focus GX-850: Place the Seasonic Focus GX-850 into the PSU bay of your case. Align the mounting holes and secure it with the provided screws.
4. Connect Modular Cables: Connect the necessary modular cables to the PSU. Refer to your motherboard and component manuals to determine which cables you need. Common cables include the 24-pin ATX, 8-pin/4+4-pin EPS, PCIe cables for your graphics card, and SATA cables for your storage drives.
5. Route Cables: Carefully route the cables through your case, using cable ties or Velcro straps to keep them organized and out of the way of fans and other components.
6. Connect to Components: Connect the cables to your motherboard, graphics card, storage drives, and any other components that require power.
7. Double-Check Connections: Before you power on your system, double-check all the connections to ensure they are secure.
8. Power On: Plug in the power cord and turn on your computer. If everything is connected correctly, your system should boot up without any issues.

Final Verdict

So, is the Seasonic Focus GX-850 worth buying? Absolutely! It’s a top-tier power supply that offers exceptional performance, efficiency, and reliability. Its 80+ Gold certification, fully modular design, silent operation, and high-quality components make it an excellent choice for any high-end gaming rig or workstation. While it may be slightly more expensive than some of its competitors, the peace of mind and long-term reliability it provides are well worth the investment. Plus, the 10-year warranty ensures your investment is protected for years to come. If you're looking for a power supply that can handle demanding workloads and provide stable, clean power, the Seasonic Focus GX-850 is definitely worth considering. It's a solid choice that will serve you well for years to come. Happy building, everyone!