Be Quiet! Pure Power 11 FM - 650W PSU Review - Final Words & Conclusion

Final words & conclusion

The big update of the FM model of the Pure power 11 is of course it's now 100% modular. Other than that from what we see, this is a nice power supply. A tiny bit pricy perhaps, but we'll address that further on in the conclusion. This refresh entails a slight configuration and an aesthetic tweak. And while a GOLD-certified product might not get you that last 10 Watt's in energy efficiency, we must acknowledge the product to be a properly mainstream to high-end PSU series. We do not doubt the quality, durability, and efficiency of this PSU series. It showed where it needs to be and looks really good. The warranty is 5-years which is a bit disappointing, the competing RMx 2021 series from Corsair for example offers 10 years for that peace of mind. Next to that, a big important factor these days are the looks, and sure the PP11 FM series looks just great in its black design. A huge plus is a totally modular design with nice all-black cables and connectors.  The efficiency of the series we deem to be spot on gold certification compared to other PSUs in this category; next to the modular design this, without doubt, is a very aesthetically pleasing PSU series. 

Efficiency

As with any power supply, half the maximum load rating is the point of equilibrium, the sweet spot where it'll be the most efficient, and in this case, that is 92% efficiency (230 Volts). As such, the 350 Watt range is actually a sweet spot as your average gaming PC with one dedicated (yet high-end) graphics card would consume roughly that during a hefty gaming session (I am talking high-end, not enthusiast-class). Ranging from Bronze to Platinum, you can buy more efficient power supplies. Over the years, it has become a bit of a marketing thing really as differences a few percents really is the margin what we are talking about here. That's also the same percentual difference in your electric bill. Below we have plotted the wattage differential based on 50% PSU load versus the energy consumption (wall side). 

Let's say you game 5 hours per day, 5 days a week for a full year. During gaming, you'll consume 325~350 Watts (= a fair estimation). We assume you pay 23 cents for each kWh of energy (the average going rate in the EU, but that varies per country). As you can see, from 80plus to Titanium, the difference is six EUR/USD for thirteen hundred hours of gaming per year. My overall advice is to go with silver or gold; platinum/titanium power supplies often carry a big price premium. I do want to state, though, that efficiency also says something about build quality. Follow your instinct, I'd say. Now, this plot and math are based on gaming. Of course, if you'd have your PC active 24/7 for mining, you'll want as an efficient PSU as possible as coming from 80plus to Titanium you'll save roughly 100 USD/EUR per year (depending on kWh prices). The new PP 650 FM model is priced fair, 100 EURO/USD, 90 bucks for the 550W model, and 115 USD/EUR for the 750 model. But could be well worth that money for the 5-year warranty alone, efficiency, and silent operation alone. Looks, acoustics, and quality matter, and again. As far as the ODM goes, this design was outsourced to what seems to be a CWT origin.

Stability

Stability-wise, we have very little, actually, nothing, to complain about as at half load, say 300~350watts, voltages remained to drop dead in sync. But we'll trust that some other reviews will offer you some ripple tests, yet have no doubt the product will come out totally clean. Kick-ass is obviously the option for four rails; the tested 650W model has enough power to handle one fairly high-end graphics card. Realistically for a PC with a single graphics card, a 650 or 750 model is best suited as a recommendation. If you are an overclocker/tweaker .. leave some reserve and go with 750 a model. 
 

Aesthetics

The Pure Power 11 FM series looks great with its new dark accents and all-black cabling. The PSU sticks to a smaller ATX length at 16 cm. The cables are delivered in a dark black coating, including all dark connectors, which is nice to see. Modular designs are the way to go. You use what you need in terms of wiring, keeping the innards clean and tidy, plain and simple. And overall it is a great-looking power supply.

 
Final words

This power supply is fine, be quiet! moved away from FSP and now built the PSU series by reputable CWT; with a touch of Listan (the company behind be quiet!) in design; surely that goes for silence, build quality, gold-rated efficiency. It however does not come with a hybrid fan/fan stop mode. Most PSU manufacturers deiced that to be a 'premium' feature for the more expensive SKUs. At this level of efficiency, there's no need for a fan to be active, so we do consider this to be a considerable downside. Nice to see is the fully modular design though. This 650W model will cost 100 USD/EUR, and that is fair. The direct competing counterpart is the Corsair Rmx650, which is 30 bucks more expensive (but does come with a far better 10-years of warranty).  For a gamer gaming a few hours per day, you need to wonder if you need Gold, Platinum or even Titanium power supplies as the price premium might be way more than what it will cost you in energy long term. Looking at it from the other side, the less power you consume, the better, of course, from that environmental point of view. In the end, we do feel that the Pure power 11 FM is a solid power supply series. We can't really complain other than nitpicking about a component here and there. We don't though, as it is too marginal to mention. You can't go wrong with it, it has a nice dark design, modular, efficient, and sheer silence. It is a PSU series that is pure gold, pun intended. Albeit we're disappointed that this PSU does not have a fan-stop.

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