In previous power supply reviews, we focused on a specific power output range and tested performance and efficiency.
This time, we asked PSU manufacturers to send us products developed for a very specific and very demanding group: gamers. Are the so-called gaming PSUs really optimized for this segment? Or is that designation just an empty promise created by marketing departments? We looked at 12 different products to find answers.
Following the requests of several manufacturers and our readers, we decided to include ripple and noise testing in our PSU reviews. According to the vendors asking about this test discipline, including these tests will highlight some obvious differences that should make it easy to draw conclusions regarding the electrical quality of a PSU, especially when it comes to high-performance units. As you'll see, this roundup will go on to show that not all manufacturers have done their homework in this area, and in some cases they don’t live up to our expectations--or the product specifications.
Ripple and noise testing is used to determine how accurately the circuits work to smooth out the DC voltage output. The goal is to produce a flat output, like you would get from a battery. Circuits of diodes and capacitors take care of this task as they convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Depending on the quality of these rectifier modules and components, the result shows more or less ripple and electrical noise. According to the ATX specifications, this value is not to exceed 120 mV for the 12 V rails. For all other ATX PSU voltages, the limit is 50 mV. A power supply that doesn't exceed these tolerances is good to go.
Huge Assortment, Huge Test
Up until now, we've generally compared five PSUs in our roundups. This is a natural limitation of test products, since we're paying for time in a professional testing facility. But it’s probably also because we're asking for products in very specific segments in order to make the comparisons as relevant as possible.
This time, we asked the manufacturers to send us gaming-oriented PSU products, without providing any specific criteria, and we received a veritable avalanche of submissions. Therefore, this review offers a broad spectrum of the market, represented by a total of 12 PSUs. Their power ratings fall between 580 and 850 W, and the efficiency certifications range from 80 PLUS to 80 PLUS Gold. Prices differ quite a bit, with the cheapest starting at around $90, while the most expensive offerings sit around twice that number. In addition to the manufacturers represented in our previous tests, Antec, Chieftec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Cougar, Enermax, and Seasonic, this time we have four newcomers to our test labs: be quiet!, NZXT, OCZ, and Sparkle.
With the TP-750, Antec sends an advanced model from its TruePower series, now called New TruePower, into the ring. The 750 W PSU comes off rather understated compared to other gaming PSUs, at least when it comes to its packaging. This is not something buyers should care about, especially since the Antec TP-750 (with its street price of around $120) is among the more affordable products in this roundup.
Despite the low price, you get an 80 PLUS Bronze certification and modular cables with a generous number of connectors. In addition to the two CPU and four PCIe connectors, there are nine SATA and Molex connectors. The length of the round cables is sufficient for most people, but if the diverse range of different plugs is tempting you to put the PSU in a full-sized tower, you might run into some problems.
The four +12 V rails can handle 25 A each.
| Antec TP-750 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | 0.8 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 9.6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 170 W | 744 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 825 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
Having an 80 PLUS Bronze certification naturally means that the Antec TP-750 will not blow away the rest of the competition in this roundup, but at least it does not have any problems reaching the required values for the Bronze logo. The efficiency is 80% at loads all the way down to 100 W, where it starts dropping a little, though still remaining satisfactory.
The PSU performs brilliantly in the noise and ripple tests, and it is actually among the very best models in the entire roundup. The 18 mV value on the 12 V rail is particularly outstanding. In the other tests, the Antec TP-750 performs on par. The only criticism we have is a rather loud fan noise when under full load.
The Antec TP-750 is a gaming PSU with high electrical quality at a reasonable price. It naturally cannot compete with the Silver- and Gold-certified PSUs in the energy efficiency department, but we can still comfortably recommend it.

It is clear from the vendor name ‘be quiet!’ that this PSU has an agenda. At least, we certainly enjoyed its low levels of noise throughout the testing. That is not the only reason for this PSU taking a special position, though. Together with the Cougar unit, the be quiet! is the only manufacturer to send us an 80 PLUS Silver-certified PSU. And be quiet! interprets the gaming PSU theme a bit differently from the rest of the manufacturers in this roundup, at least in terms of performance.
With a power rating of 580 W, the be quiet! Straight Power E8 is the least powerful of the tested PSUs. Nevertheless, the PSU’s four +12 V rails can handle loads of up to 18 A. Despite the relatively low street price of around $120, we think the manufacturer could have been a little bit more generous in terms of the number of connectors and length of the cables.
| be quiet! Straight Power E8 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 24 A | 23 A | 18 A | 18 A | 18 A | 18 A | 0.5 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 140 W | 540 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 580 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 650W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
When it comes to energy efficiency, the be quiet! PSU performs very well. Although it is 80 PLUS Silver-certified, it reaches values just short of the Gold mark. Besides, the PSU can keep its efficiency really high even during heavy loads over extended periods of time.
The ripple and noise tests confirm the very positive impression of the PSU’s electrical quality, with results far below the limits established by the ATX specification. The be quiet! Straight Power E8 passes all other tests without any major anomalies.
The smallest rise in temperatures in the roundup deserves special mention. As the nominally-weakest PSU, it has a small advantage from the beginning, though.
For anyone looking for a very quiet PSU with high electrical quality, at a reasonable price, the be quiet! Straight Power E8 is a reasonable choice.

After an outstanding performance in our 400 W PSU roundup, we were particularly anxious to test a gaming PSU from Chieftec. The manufacturer sent us a power supply from its Nitro series, this time with a power rating of 750 W.
It is 80 PLUS Bronze-certified, sports impressive manufacturing quality, and the two +12 V rails can each handle loads of up to 30 A.
The price of around $120 is not low enough to be this stingy with included connectors compared to the competition, however. The two CPU and four PCIe connectors are suitable for gaming, but the BPS-750C lags behind with just four Molex and six SATA connectors. Most cables are modular and of sufficient length.
| Chieftec BPS-750C | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 30A | 30 A | n/a | n/a | 0.8 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 9.6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 150 W | 720 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 850 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
The Chieftec BPS-750C does reach the values required for its 80 PLUS Bronze certification, though with small margins. The efficiency deteriorates quickly at low loads, even compared to the other 80 PLUS Bronze-certified competition in the roundup.
Since this is a gaming PSU, the higher loads are of bigger interest, of course, and there is nothing wrong there. The same goes for the ripple and noise measurements; all values are well within specifications. Except for having the highest temperature difference between incoming and outgoing air, the Chieftec BPS-750C passes all tests without showing any weaknesses.
This PSU from Chieftec is one of the cheaper products in the roundup. Gamers not specifically looking for the best energy efficiency and uncompromising power output will find the BPS-750C to be a fair compromise due to its price/performance ratio.
Cooler Master chose to go a different route than Chieftec with this PSU, as the Cooler Master GX 750 is aimed at cost-conscious gamers. Thus the simple packaging is merely adorned with a regular 80 PLUS logo, and there are no modular cables. These measures lead to a very low price, however, as the PSU can be found for less than $90.
But this does not mean that gamers have to make sacrifices in the most important power supply-oriented specifications. Cooler Master equips its 750 W PSU with cables and connectors of sufficient length and number. The three 4-pin Molex connectors seem somewhat scant, but this is made up for with the nine SATA connectors apparently intended to drive massive storage arrays. The PSU is SLI-ready, and comes with four PCIe connectors for multiple graphics card configurations. The single +12 V rail can handle up to 60 A.
| Cooler Master GX 750 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 110-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 60 A | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0.5 A | 2.5 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 12.5 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 150 W | 720 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 900 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
As expected, the 80 PLUS-certified Cooler Master GX 750 cannot keep up with the higher efficiencies of the Silver- and Gold-certified PSUs, but it does comply to the specifications, if only loosely, and with no additional margins above the 80% efficiency limit.
In the remaining tests, Cooler Master's GX 750 fully meets the expectations of an 80 PLUS power supply, even if its efficiency drops a bit under low loads. It does mess up a bit with the ripple and noise though, giving us a reading on the 3.3 V rail that is 50% above the ATX specification limit. The good results for the 5 and 12 V rails suggest that this is a weakness in the PSU design.

The Cooler Master GX 750 is the only basic 80 PLUS-certified unit in this roundup, and is faced with almost overwhelming competition. It holds up fairly well, though. Its modest price and performance are appropriate, though the small ripple problem overshadows our general impression, especially with so many other good units in our roundup.
Cooler Master is the only manufacturer in this roundup that sent us two different power supplies aimed at the gaming segment. While the Cooler Master GX 750 is a more budget-oriented product, the 80 PLUS Gold-certified Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 costs around $140, and is thus a more mid-ranged offering.
Nevertheless, the PSU is characterized by high-quality packaging and solid manufacturing. The modular cables are of the flat ribbon kind, thus allowing for a streamlined installation and good air flow. The number of connectors is good, though Cooler Master could have made the cables a bit longer. The single +12 V rail can handle up to 60 A.
| Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 90-264 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 22 A | 25 A | 56 A | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0.3 A | 3.5 A | |
| Individual Output | 3.6 W | 17.5 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 150 W | 672 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 700 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 840 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
We recently tested another product from the Silent Pro Gold series, the 800 W model. It achieved very good results, and this 700 W version is not inferior to that unit in any way. It even manages to establish itself as the best finisher in this roundup's efficiency tests, living up to its 80 PLUS Gold certification.
The efficiency of the Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 does not drop very much, even at low loads, and at 25 W it is still at an impressive 71%. The ripple and noise tests reveal no weaknesses; the PSU is well within the norm. All other test results are unremarkable as well. Even the noise level under high loads is good. 
The Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 is a PSU with very high electrical quality. It is well-made and stands out for its high efficiency.
The Corsair CMPSU-850AX stands out in this roundup in two ways. First, its 850 W power rating puts it at the top with regard to output. And second, according to the manufacturer, this is a PSU suitable for professional environments, not specifically for gamers. Its performance and features surely make it suitable for gamers, just like the other power supplies. Corsair underlines its confidence in the quality of the PSU with an impressive seven-year warranty. Altogether, this is also reflected in the price of $180.
An interesting feature, just like on Seasonic's submission, is a fan that only powers up when there is at least a 20% load (around 170 W). Up until that point, it remains silent. In this way, your gaming PC stays quiet during work time, too.
All cables are modular, and the single +12 V rail can handle up to 70 A. The cable lengths and number of connectors are fairly generous.
| Corsair CMPSU-AX850 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 90-264 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 70 A | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0.5 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 125 W | 840 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 850 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | ??? W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
In the test lab, Corsair's PSU does not fully live up to its initial praise, especially in the efficiency measurements, where the CMPSU-850AX fails to reach two of the 80 PLUS Gold certification requirements. It misses one by only one percentage point, and the other by two.
Overall, the energy efficiency is still very good, and it only drops slightly at low loads. The ripple and noise results are all very good and far below the required limits. It is obvious that emphasis was placed on consistently high component quality. By passing the other tests without breaking a sweat seems to confirm this.
The Corsair CMPSU-850AX is aimed at users with high demands and is designed for continuous use, something the manufacturer underlines with a seven-year warranty. The overall high performance and quality is, however, also reflected in a lofty price.
With a street price of around $180 (if you can find it in your country), the Cougar SX S700 is in the most expensive upper-third of this roundup. As expected, it comes well-packaged. With premium materials and an interesting orange/red underside, the Cougar SX S700 is a real treat both to the touch and for the eye. This goes for the well-constructed modular and round cables as well. Only the ATX, PCIe, and CPU cables are hard-wired.
When it comes to cable length and connectivity, the Cougar SX S700 is rather generous with its eight SATA and four PCIe cables. The PSU is both Nvidia SLI-ready and AMD CrossFire-certified in case you want to use multiple graphics cards. The Cougar SX S700 has four dedicated +12 V rails available, two of which provide up to 20 or 24 A.
| Cougar SX700 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 115-250 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 20 A | 20 A | 24 A | 24 A | 0.6 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 0.6 A | 3.0 A | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 150 W | 684 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 700 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 900 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
The 700 W PSU, adorned with the 80 PLUS Silver logo, made a very positive impression while unpacking it, but unfortunately cannot back all of that up it in the tests. It fails to live up to the certification requirements for energy efficiency both at 50% and 100% loads. Instead of the required 88% and 85%, it only manages 86% and 84%. Seen over the entire range of loads, the Cougar SX S700 is still good, and does not drop a lot in efficiency even at lower loads. It also boasts a very low temperature increase under load of just 6°C.
Things are a bit worse when it comes to the ripple and noise measurements. Although the 5 V and 12 V results are fully within the specifications, we measured a ripple of 66 mV on the 3.3 V rail. That is about 30% above the specified limit. Quite astonishing, considering that the 5 V and 12 V values are both in good shape and significantly lower at 32 mV. Most likely, the quality of the electrical components and circuits are subject to variation here.
Despite its flaws, the Cougar SX S700 is a moderately-attractive PSU providing ample power for powerful gaming systems. Because of its very long cables it is particularly suitable for large computer cases.
After the Enermax Pro 87+ dominated an earlier test of mid-range PSUs, we asked Enermax to send us a gaming model as well. The Enermax Modu 87+ is an 80 PLUS Gold power supply rated at 700 W. With a street price of just over $200, it is one of the most expensive PSUs in this test. The first impression when unpacking the Enermax Modu 87+ is positive, but good looks and quality packaging are hallmarks of Enermax. The fan continues to run for 30-60 seconds after shutting down the system in order to dissipate any residual heat as quickly as possible. Enermax calls this feature HeatGuard.
In contrast to the Pro 87+ series, which is 80 PLUS Gold-certified too, the Modu 87+ uses modular cables. Only the ATX and CPU cables are hard-wired. The number of cables and connectors on the Modu 87+ is among the best in this roundup. Eight Molex and SATA connectors should be more than enough for pretty much all systems. The four PCIe connectors allow for several graphics cards to run in parallel. Each of the three +12 V rails can handle a load of up to 25 A.
| Enermax Modu 87+ 700 W | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 24 A | 24 A | 25 A | 25 A | 25 A | n/a | 0.5 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 120 W | 696 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 700 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 770 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
The Enermax Modu 87+ runs through our tests almost without a hitch. Not only does it offer respectable manufacturing quality, but also convinces with its electrical quality. In the 80 PLUS Gold measurements it barely misses the 87% efficiency mark at 100% load, but not by more than our measurement margin of error. It was very convincing in all the other measurements, particularly by not losing as much efficiency at low loads as its competitors.
There is also a slip up with the ripple measurements. Instead of the maximum allowed 50 mV, the Modu 87+ misses this ATX specification limit with 52 mV on the 3.3 V rail. The 74 mV and 20 mV results on the 12 V and 5 V rails are exemplary, though.
Overall, the Enermax Modu 87+ is a powerful and solid PSU which meets the demands of a gaming environment. Features like running the fans for a minute after system shuts down set it apart from its competitors, and the five-year warranty is confidence-inspiring.
The NZXT HALE90-750M is one of the more expensive PSUs in this test with a price of around $150. Fortunately, it doesn't have to rely on its looks to back up that price, as it sports a rather uncommon white enclosure. Except for the ATX and CPU cables, all cables are modular. All the modular cables are flat and of high quality, contributing to an optimal air flow in the computer case. Like the majority of its competitors, NZXT equips this PSU with four PCIe connectors. The only 12 V rail can deliver up to 62 A.
| NZXT HALE90-750M | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-250 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 24 A | 22 A | 62 A | n/a | n/a | n/a | 0.5 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 120 W | 744 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 850 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
The NZXT HALE90-750M sails through the tests with flying colors. The 80 PLUS Gold-certified PSU is exemplary in the important efficiency and ripple tests. It reaches the required values with small margins and rightfully carries the certification, even if some of the other 80 PLUS Gold PSUs in the roundup pass the tests with bigger margins. It handles light loads of 25-50 W comparatively well too, even if such small loads are not really common in high-performance gaming computers.
The NZXT HALE90-750M has ample peak power reserves, and is still stable even at 811 W. The ripple and noise test results speak of high electrical quality; the measurements are well within specifications on all rails. The 12 V rail value of just 30 mV is particularly good.
With the HALE90-750M, NZXT offers a PSU that is visually exceptional and mainly characterized by its high electrical quality. Gamers with no more than two graphics card in their computer (which probably applies to most users) cannot go wrong with this PSU. The price is fully in line with the unit you're getting.
The OCZ Fatal1ty definitely gives a good impression during unpacking. The construction quality is solid, and all cables except for the ATX and CPU cables are modular, flat ribbon cables. In terms of equipment, the 80 PLUS Bronze-certified OCZ PSU manages to keep up with the rest of the test candidates, despite its rather low price hovering just above $100. The number of cables and connectors is right on target, and the four PCIe auxiliary plugs allow for an extremely graphics-heavy system, especially since the Fatal1ty is Nvidia SLI-certified. The cables are a bit on the short side, however, and the 75 cm (29 inches) Molex and SATA connectors could cause some problems in large computer cases.
The PSU has four +12 V rails, each good for up to 18 A. The combined maximum load for all 12 V rails is comparatively low, with this 750 W PSU just reaching 650 W, falling behind even the 700 W competitors in the roundup.
| OCZ Fatal1ty 750 W | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 28 A | 30 A | 18 A | 18 A | 18 A | 18 A | 0.8 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 9.6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 180 W | 650 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | 820 W | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
In our test lab, the OCZ Fatal1ty just barely misses the values required for its 80 PLUS Bronze certification. Under full load, it only reaches 80% efficiency instead of the required 82%. Additionally, under a 25 W load it only reaches an efficiency of 62% and is thus among the worst in this roundup at this particular test.
Except for the short hold-up time, which is how long the PSU can deliver stable voltages in case of power grid spikes or voltage drops, the OCZ Fatal1ty sails through the other tests without difficulty, including the ripple and noise measurements. All values are within the specifications.
The OCZ Fatal1ty lacks nothing that you would expect from a gaming PSU. The electrical quality is generally high, but shows some weaknesses in efficiency. The bottom line is that this is a reasonable unit for gamers on a budget willing to budge a little on the specs.
The $170 Seasonic X-750 provides a positive first impression when we unpack it. The 750 W PSU is stowed away in a black velvet case, while the cables come in two nylon packs. Except for Corsair, Seasonic is the only manufacturer in this roundup to use a fully modular cable management system, with even the ATX and CPU cables being modular (though the value of this is questionably, since you're probably not going to use a power supply without hooking it up to your motherboard).
The fan on the Seasonic X-750 only starts running at loads above ~250 W, otherwise staying perfectly silent. The 750 W PSU is 80 PLUS Gold-certified, and its single +12 V rail (preferable to all of the units with dinkier +12 V output spread over multiple rails) can handle up to 62 A.
| Seasonic X-750 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 200-240V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 25 A | 25 A | 62 A | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1.0 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | n/a | n/a | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 125 W | 744 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | n/a | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
The PSU fares well in the efficiency measurements, although it only just reaches the required values for the 80 PLUS Gold certification. The results at given loads are impressive. Even at a very low 25 W, the Seasonic X-750 still achieves an efficiency of more than 70%. At 50 W, the efficiency is already up to 78%. In the other tests, the PSU ends up somewhere in the middle, except for not quite living up to the ATX specification regarding the hold-up time. The ripple and noise test results are remarkably good, with the Seasonic X-750 running well within the limits at all voltages. The engineers at Seasonic have ripple under control, and on the 12 V rail in particular.

The bottom line is fairly positive with the Seasonic X-750 scoring great results in our efficiency tests. The supply is not without weaknesses, though. Seasonic is generous with its eight Molex and nine SATA connectors, as well as with the three CPU connectors.
The $150 Sparkle SCC-750AF, with its very fine finish and stylish charcoal/violet color combination, would probably be suitable as an accessory in a modern loft. At least, it is almost too nice looking to hide away inside of a computer case.
All cables except for the ATX and CPU cables are modular, with the number of connectors and length of the cables being sufficient. Only the PCIe cables might be considered a bit short, coming in at 45 cm (17.5 inches). The power supply comes with three floppy connectors, which is overkill in modern computers. The 750 W PSU comes with an 80 PLUS Gold certification and four +12 V rails, three of which can handle 16 A, and the fourth 18 A. After shutting the system down, the PSU fan continues to run for around 20 seconds.
| Sparkle SCC-750AF | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Input | 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz | |||||||
| DC Output | +3.3 V | +5 V | +12 V (#1) | +12 V (#2) | +12 V (#3) | +12 V (#4) | -12 V | +5 Vsb |
| 24 A | 30 A | 16 A | 16 A | 16 A | 18 A | 0.5 A | 3.0 A | |
| Individual Output | 6 W | 15 W | ||||||
| Rail Utilization | Sys | Sys | CPU & VGA | |||||
| Combined Output | 170 W | 750 W | ||||||
| Total Continuous Output | 750 W | |||||||
| Peak Output | n/a | |||||||
Efficiency meets 80 PLUS specifications:
Efficiency under different load profiles:
Throughout all the lab tests, the Sparke SCC-750AF spoils us with its very quiet fan noise. It does, however, miss one of the values required for the 80 PLUS Gold certification by one percentage point. We can chalk this up to a potential margin of error in our testing, despite the expensive equipment being used. For equivocal results, we run the test several times and note the best finish. While the values differ a bit from run to run, they are always in an extremely narrow range.
There is nothing wrong with the ripple and noise measurements. The Sparkle PSU is exemplary here, as well as in most of the other tests. Only the temperature increase is relatively high. 
The Sparkle SCC-750AF is an eye-catching PSU. And it lives up to the performance inferred by its good looks, as well. Though not great, this gaming-oriented power supply is a solid option.
| Test Hardware | |
|---|---|
| AC Source | Chroma Programmable AC Source 6530 |
| Power Meter | Yokogawa WT210 Digital Power Meter |
| Loads | 4 x 600 W Chroma 63306 for 12 V testing 4 x 300 W Chroma 63303 for 5 and 3.3 V testing using Chroma HighSpeed- DC Load Mainframes 6334 |
| Oscilloscope | Tektronix DPO3034 Digital Phosphore Oscilloscope (300 MHz) |
| Test Procedure | |
| Voltages | 110 and 230 V |
| Standby Power | 0.25 A fixed current to simulate PC standby power on 5 Vsb |
| 80 PLUS Efficiency Testing | 100/50/20% load, relative to specified total output Load distribution across 12/5/3.3V rails at the same proportion as specified for 100% testing at 110 V according to ATX 2.3 specification |
| Efficiency at Fixed Loads | 25, 50, 85, 300, 500 W loads Load distribution across 12/5/3.3 V rails at the same proportion as specified for 100% |
| Peak Load Test | 110% Overload Testing at maximum combined 12 V |
| Temperature Test | Air intake vs. Outtake temperature delta tracking highest delta during all tests |
Hold-Up Time, Inrush Current, Peak, and Short Circuit Tests:



| Short Circuit Protection Test (12 V) | |
|---|---|
| Model | Test Passed |
| Antec True Power New 750 W (115 V) | yes |
| Antec True Power New 750 W (230 V) | yes |
| BeQuiet StraighPower 580 W (115 V) | yes |
| BeQuiet StraighPower 580 W (230 V) | yes |
| Chieftec NTRO 85 (115 V) | yes |
| Chieftec NTRO 85 (230 V) | yes |
| Cooler Master GX 750 (115 V) | yes |
| Cooler Master GX 750 (230 V) | yes |
| Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 (115 V) | yes |
| Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 (230 V) | yes |
| Corsair AX850 (115 V) | yes |
| Corsair AX850 (230 V) | yes |
| Cougar SX S700 (115 V) | yes |
| Cougar SX S700 (230 V) | yes |
| Enermax Modu 87+ 700 W (115 V) | yes |
| Enermax Modu 87+ 700 W (230 V) | yes |
| NZXT HALE90-750M 115 V) | yes |
| NZXT HALE90-750M (230 V) | yes |
| OCZ Fatality Champ 750 W (115 V) | yes |
| OCZ Fatality Champ 750 W (230 V) | yes |
| Seasonic X-Series 750 W (115 V) | yes |
| Seasonic X-Series 750 W (230 V) | yes |
| Sparkle SCC-750AF (115 V) | yes |
| Sparkle SCC-750AF (230 V) | yes |
Efficiency according to the 80 PLUS specification:



Standby and temperature measurements:







Once again we take a look at the initial question: can gaming-oriented power supplies live up to the promises made by marketing departments? The answer is: not always, but there is more to the story than that.
Some of the tested PSUs fail at one or more tests, such as specific energy efficiency requirements or the newly introduced ripple and noise measurements--and that simply must not happen. Sometimes-significant differences in the energy efficiency curves are also striking. Some PSUs live up to their 80 PLUS certifications, but show sharp efficiency drops at low loads. Others shine under low loads, but show weaknesses at full load.
All of the tested PSUs are intended for use in high-performance gaming computers. However, the manufacturers sometimes interpret the gaming theme very differently. Many of them try to gain the consumer's confidence by showing off certifications, such as 80 PLUS Gold or Nvidia SLI-ready, while others focus on a reasonable price/performance ratio. This is primarily achieved by getting a lower 80 PLUS classification and cutting some corners when it comes to equipment. Pointing out winners and losers in this roundup is hard, due to the large number of products. Depending on your individual needs and preferences, quite a lot of them could be a viable choice.
The NZXT HALE90-750M and Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700 are two of the best PSUs tested in this roundup, while Antec's TP-750 and be quiet! Straight Power E8 have great price/performance ratios. However, there are a few power supplies that we can recommend regardless of their price, the intended application or personal preferences. The following products went through our testing suite without any glitches, which means that we can approve them from a technical standpoint:



















































































































