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.
- New Tests: Ripple And Noise
- Antec TP-750
- Antec TP-750: Results
- be quiet! Straight Power E8
- be quiet! Straight Power E8: Results
- Chieftec BPS-750C
- Chieftec BPS-750C: Results
- Cooler Master GX 750
- Cooler Master GX 750: Results
- Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700
- Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold 700: Results
- Corsair CMPSU-AX850
- Corsair CMPSU-AX850: Results
- Cougar SX700
- Cougar SX700: Results
- Enermax Modu 87+ 700 W
- Enermax Modu 87+ 700 W: Results
- NZXT HALE90-750M
- NZXT HALE90-750M: Results
- OCZ Fatal1ty 750 W
- OCZ Fatal1ty 750 W: Results
- Seasonic X-750
- Seasonic X-750: Results
- Sparkle SCC-750AF
- Sparkle SCC-750AF: Results
- Test Configuration, Hold-Up Time, Inrush Current, Peak, And Short Circuit Tests
- Efficiency According To 80 PLUS, Temperature, And Standby Overview
- Efficiency Under Different Load Profiles
- Conclusion And Recommendation





The article doesn't appear to measure noise from during switching and how much noise is introduced to the CPU and bus.
Anyway, it will be a cold day in hell before anyone gets me to switch out my Silverstone 1500 Watt PSU.
You are either lying or very unlucky (got a bad PSU)......I have crossfire 5870s and an i7 965 and all stock cannot exceed 650W at the wall (about 550W actually used) no matter what I try.
I call BS. I could run your setup with my PC power & cooling 750w unit.
http://www.techspot.com/review/289-geforce-gtx-480-sli-versus-radeon-5870-crossfire/page9.html
My next build will be in an NZXT full tower, and I am particularly interested in the Antec 850W, which I believe is the same line as the 750 tested. The report mentioned something about the cables being a bit short for full towers, I'd like to know exact cable lengths, and does anyone know if the 850W model cables may be a little longer?
You're kidding right? You mention the NZXT power supply as "being one of the best", but no mention or recommendation for the Seasonic (even tough according to your own tests the Seasonic handily beats the NZXT)?
Seasonic is one of the, if not thee, best power supply houses in the land. Most of the times if you see a real good power supply from another brand, it turns out it was a Seasonic unit. I'm not saying there are no other good manufacturers out there... But, to not even to get a nod or anything in the conclusion??
Review fail.
So, essentially it will pick away at your RAM. No thanks.
"...its single +12 V rail (preferable to all of the units with dinkier +12 V output spread over multiple rails)..."
I call BS. I'd much rather have multiple +12V rails. With OCP set appropriately, there's no issue of power being "trapped" anywhere, yet it will be safer in the event of near short-circuit conditions.
I'll be building either a SB or BD rig for myself in late Spring or early Summer, and I already picked up the 560W model of the Seasonic "X" line for it ($71 for the one HardwareSecrets reviewed).
Remember too, that 80+ tests at the absurdly low ambient temperature of 23C. While I think their tests are still generally valid, and will certainly clear out the liar-labeled units, for a certified unit to fail by a couple percent under real world conditions is not too unusual.