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Structured comparison
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Overview
Manufacturer
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Generic (various OEMs, built around the TI LM2596)
- AMS1117-3.3
- Advanced Monolithic Systems (widely second-sourced)
Category
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Buck
- AMS1117-3.3
- Linear / LDO
Object type
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- module
- AMS1117-3.3
- ic
Package
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Module
- AMS1117-3.3
- SOT-223
Documented pins
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- 4
- AMS1117-3.3
- 3
Interfaces
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Unknown
- AMS1117-3.3
- Unknown
Lifecycle
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Unknown
- AMS1117-3.3
- ACTIVE
Physical pin mapping
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Unknown
- AMS1117-3.3
- Unknown
Browser simulation
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Not available
- AMS1117-3.3
- Not available
Electrical
Topology
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- buck
- AMS1117-3.3
- ldo
Min Input Voltage
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
The LM2596 chip itself starts regulating around 4.5V, but the module's input protection/trace design can add its own floor — check your specific board.
- AMS1117-3.3
- 4.75 VSource
Below this, output headroom collapses below the dropout spec and 3.3V is no longer guaranteed.
Max Input Voltage
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
The chip is rated to 40V absolute, but cheap modules' input pads, connectors and PCB clearances are not always built with real 40V margin — many sellers quietly derate. Don't assume the silkscreen number without checking.
- AMS1117-3.3
- 15 VSource
Output Voltage
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Not applicable
- AMS1117-3.3
- 3.3 VSource
Adjustable Output
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Yes
Set by turning the blue trimpot while watching a multimeter on the output — there's no digital readout or detent at common voltages like 5V or 3.3V.
- AMS1117-3.3
- No
This is the fixed -3.3 variant. The adjustable AMS1117-ADJ sets Vout with an external resistor divider instead — different part, not this one.
Max Output Current
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
The LM2596 chip is rated 3A, but that number assumes the datasheet's reference inductor and adequate cooling. Cheap modules' inductor and copper are usually the real limit — treat 1.5-2A as a safer sustained ceiling unless you've verified your specific board runs cool at 3A.
- AMS1117-3.3
- 1 ASource
Dropout Voltage
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Not applicable
- AMS1117-3.3
- 1.1 V @ Iout=1 ASource
The headline gotcha of this part. Vin must stay above roughly Vout+dropout (~4.4-4.6V) at full load or the output sags below 3.3V.
Quiescent Current
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
The bare chip's quiescent draw is small (datasheet: a few mA), but modules often add an LED and other always-on circuitry that draws more than the chip alone.
- AMS1117-3.3
Performance
Peak Efficiency
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
TI's own eval board reaches up to ~90% in the datasheet's curves, under a specific Vin/Vout/load combination. A $2 module with a lower-Q inductor and thinner copper will usually measure lower — don't assume 90% for a thermal budget.
- AMS1117-3.3
- Unknown
Switching Frequency
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- 150 kHzSource
Fixed by the LM2596 chip's internal oscillator — this is one of the few numbers here that does NOT vary between vendors, since it's set by the silicon, not the board.
- AMS1117-3.3
- Not applicable
Physical
Package
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Module
- AMS1117-3.3
- SOT-223
Length
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Varies by vendor
Commonly around 43×21mm for the classic 4-pin-header version, but board outline is not standardized across sellers.
- AMS1117-3.3
- Unknown
Mounting
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- module
- AMS1117-3.3
- smd
Thermal
Max Operating Temp
- LM2596 Buck Converter Module
- Unknown
- AMS1117-3.3
- 125 °CSource
Junction temperature rating — the small SOT-223 tab has limited heat-shedding, so real headroom is lower without PCB copper pour under/around it.
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