Top critical review
1.0 out of 5 starsExpensive Mistake
Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on May 25, 2020
PROS:
- Seemingly nice PSU
- Thermaltake
- semi-modular
- quiet fan
- well packed
- nice nylon case to keep unused cables together
CONS:
- unreliable
- expensive when it breaks
I've used varying models from Thermaltake, Antec, Corsair, Seasonic, Enermax, even OEMs like Sparkle (SPI), and when one of those PSUs went bad, it was usually a loud sound, a loud pop, maybe a flash, some smoke, or even just one last good use, and then the computer wouldn't turn on again.
I bought two of these. One of these, didn't afford me the same courtesy as other PSUs did when they die. After 10 months of occasional use with this power supply - maybe once or twice a month, the computer fails to turn on (it turns on then right back off again - not a dust issue, I clean the computer out every 3 to 6 months, no pets, non-smoker). I fiddle with connections related and unrelated to the PSU with no success. And just like that, the problem went away and the computer starts up again, however, 4 SSDs now won't work (all connected to the same peripheral power cable from the PSU, and they don't show up in the BIOS). I pull the drives out and tested them in another machine and also tested them on an external to USB device. All 4 drives (2x Samsungs (diff models), an Intel, and a Cruicial), all fried - literally (opened them up and a chip is melted with scorch marks on the inside of the SSD case). [I previously reported the SATA ports also were damaged, that was incorrect. A subsequent test showed the SATA ports were working fine]. Computer still boots, but it claimed I tried to overclock and reset the values (I didn't overclock anything, I never do)
I saw other reviews state it fried their hard drives, DVD, even one customer said that it actually caused their graphics cards to catch fire, another said he tested the peripheral output and saw it jumping to 16v. I'll be honest, with the luck I've had with Thermaltake, I'd have read those reviews, shook my head, and probably said "eh, they did something to make that happen, these things are legit and solid!". For thinking that, I apologize.
I've seen Thermaltake's response to some other customers - go to our ThermaltakeUSA.zendesk.com site for assistance which amounts to nothing more than warranty service which gets you "All warranty replacements will be replaced with the same model. Thermaltake will make repairs or send replacements only. We will not accept any requests to exchange, upgrade, or refund." So, I'm supposed to get a repair/refurb of the same risky model I had in the first place that cost me$450 in SSDs, and add to that a $75 PSU, because I sure as heck don't want to use that again, fixed or not? I'll probably have to pay for shipping the bad one in too, so add that to the bill. But hey, at least I got a rebate on it, right?
Avoid this PSU, I'm upset so my anger might be talking when I say avoid Thermaltake at all costs, but hopefully, maybe you read my situation and consider better choices before buying your next PSU - better than I did. If you have money to burn, or want to take a chance, then best of luck to you.
[updated 5/29] emailed Thermaltake customer service - they responded within thirty minutes. They said their policy is strictly to replace a failed PSU with exactly the same model. I didn't matter that I owned 7 PSUs from Thermaltake or that I offered to pay extra to get a model more reliable (I was clear I didn't want it for free). So, as I said earlier, if you chance your equipment with this brand, best of luck to you. I'm done with Thermaltake and hope this review helps others avoid my mistake.
[updated 6/5] customer service emailed me an RMA. I asked for a prepaid label. A couple more days went by and they finally responded and said "no". Prepaid return labels are only if the equipment breaks in the first 30 days. Kind of nice since most retailers will also take it back in the first 30 days, so maybe that's why they have the policy. In the end, I am deciding not to send it back. The unit cost me over $80, plus over $400 in damage, and then I get the shipping bill of $10-$20 to send it back to probably end up with same unit, probably lacking in quality, as a refurbished model. Less than 10 months use, I bought it brand new, and I get a refurb and an expensive bill. I buy, build, recommend, and consult in computers and IT. Some of you may be familiar with the Thermaltake brand, and have had good luck with them. So did I for the past 15 years or so. But, out of all the PSUs that have failed on me, none of them cost me extra money in additional damage. Sure, cheap ones do, but I don't use cheap PSUs. Other retailers and Amazon list issues with this PSU that possibly shed light on quality or quality control, or both. When I recommend products to friends, co-workers, customers, I would ask them this when they ask for a cheap PSU - do you want a PSU that dies and costs you hundreds to thousands of dollars in damaged equipment, or worse, a fire hazard that threatens your home or business? The answer is almost always, what do you recommend. After this experience, I can say, it won't be Thermaltake anymore and that's too bad because at one time, they made great PSUs and had great quality.
