Do PSUs still use liquid capacitors?

[Nielo TM]

So I've been out of the PSU arena for a while. Has there been any improvements?

Have PSUs finally moved to totally solid state design? As in no more liquid capacitors

 

[pendragon1]

i think its still a mix depending on size needed. just buy a good brand/model, no $30 specials.
edit: newest, decent info i can find: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supplies-101,4193-3.html

 

[learners permit]

Yes they still use large electrolytic filter capacitors to smooth the ripple voltage as there is currently no better solution for this function.

 

[Mr Evil]

Yes they still use large electrolytic filter capacitors to smooth the ripple voltage as there is currently no better solution for this function.

Just to expand on this a bit - liquid electrolytic capacitors are problematic because the electrolyte dries out. How fast this happens is strongly related to temperature. The small capacitors on the low-voltage side of a PSU can get very hot because they deal with large currents. The big capacitors on the high-voltage side don't have to handle much current, so they don't get hot, and therefore last a long time (as in one or more decades) even if they use liquid electrolyte.

 

[Nobu]

Yeah, even hdplex uses a biggun and a couple smaller electrolytic caps in their dc power supplies. I'm sure they make non-electrolytic caps that are large enough, but price and electrical characteristics probably make them impractical or unsuitable.

 

[Darunion]

Yeah, even hdplex uses a biggun and a couple smaller electrolytic caps in their dc power supplies. I'm sure they make non-electrolytic caps that are large enough, but price and electrical characteristics probably make them impractical or unsuitable.

Aluminum polymer is a good alternative but pricey like an 80cents vs 13cents kinda difference. Also not as many variations available so choices and sourcing can be an issue.