To learn more about our PSU tests and methodology, please check out How We Test Power Supply Units.
Primary Rails and 5VSB Load Regulation
The following charts show the main rails' voltage values recorded between a range of 40W up to the PSU's maximum specified load, along with the deviation (in percent). Tight regulation is an important consideration every time we review a power supply because it facilitates constant voltage levels despite varying loads. Tight load regulation also, among other factors, improves the system’s stability, especially under overclocked conditions and, at the same time, it applies less stress to the DC-DC converters that many system components utilize.
The load regulation at +12V is within 1%, but the competition performs notably better. The situation is about the same on the other rails, as well.
Hold-Up Time
Put simply; hold-up time is the amount of time that the system can continue to run without shutting down or rebooting during a power interruption.
The hold-up time is longer than 20ms and the power-ok signal is accurate.
Inrush Current
Inrush current, or switch-on surge, refers to the maximum, instantaneous input current drawn by an electrical device when it is first turned on. A large enough inrush current can cause circuit breakers and fuses to trip. It can also damage switches, relays, and bridge rectifiers. As a result, the lower the inrush current of a PSU right as it is turned on, the better.
The inrush currents are on the high side, especially with 230V input. A bypass relay for the NTC thermistor, would enhance the inrush current protection.
10-110% Load Tests
These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures. They also show how the fan speed profile behaves under increased operating temperatures.
Test # | 12V | 5V | 3.3V | 5VSB | DC/AC (Watts) | Efficiency | Fan Speed (RPM) | PSU Noise (dB[A]) | Temps (In/Out) | PF/AC Volts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2.718A | 1.964A | 1.988A | 0.998A | 54.962 | 85.011% | 178 | 6.4 | 40.07°C | 0.975 |
12.272V | 5.090V | 3.323V | 5.013V | 64.653 | 43.27°C | 115.11V | ||||
2 | 6.453A | 2.952A | 2.985A | 1.201A | 110.026 | 89.658% | 180 | 6.5 | 40.91°C | 0.981 |
12.261V | 5.083V | 3.316V | 4.998V | 122.717 | 44.64°C | 115.11V | ||||
3 | 10.529A | 3.446A | 3.491A | 1.405A | 165.023 | 91.170% | 181 | 6.5 | 41.41°C | 0.986 |
12.249V | 5.078V | 3.309V | 4.984V | 181.005 | 45.48°C | 115.11V | ||||
4 | 14.614A | 3.944A | 3.998A | 1.610A | 220.024 | 91.703% | 182 | 6.5 | 41.74°C | 0.990 |
12.236V | 5.071V | 3.303V | 4.970V | 239.930 | 46.31°C | 115.11V | ||||
5 | 18.366A | 4.937A | 5.007A | 1.817A | 275.012 | 91.737% | 184 | 6.5 | 42.20°C | 0.993 |
12.224V | 5.064V | 3.296V | 4.954V | 299.784 | 47.86°C | 115.14V | ||||
6 | 22.123A | 5.935A | 6.023A | 2.000A | 329.885 | 91.439% | 199 | 6.9 | 42.98°C | 0.994 |
12.213V | 5.057V | 3.288V | 4.940V | 360.770 | 49.04°C | 115.10V | ||||
7 | 25.899A | 6.933A | 7.044A | 2.235A | 385.082 | 90.841% | 397 | 13.7 | 43.18°C | 0.995 |
12.200V | 5.049V | 3.280V | 4.924V | 423.907 | 49.74°C | 115.14V | ||||
8 | 29.680A | 7.937A | 8.070A | 2.445A | 440.098 | 90.325% | 516 | 15.5 | 43.83°C | 0.996 |
12.186V | 5.041V | 3.272V | 4.909V | 487.238 | 50.93°C | 115.09V | ||||
9 | 33.848A | 8.443A | 8.574A | 2.449A | 494.609 | 89.887% | 632 | 17.9 | 44.23°C | 0.996 |
12.175V | 5.035V | 3.265V | 4.902V | 550.258 | 52.06°C | 115.09V | ||||
10 | 37.826A | 8.953A | 9.115A | 3.079A | 549.781 | 89.500% | 632 | 17.9 | 44.51°C | 0.997 |
12.163V | 5.027V | 3.258V | 4.872V | 614.281 | 52.95°C | 115.09V | ||||
11 | 42.411A | 8.965A | 9.128A | 3.084A | 604.961 | 89.128% | 633 | 17.8 | 44.88°C | 0.997 |
12.149V | 5.020V | 3.254V | 4.865V | 678.753 | 53.69°C | 115.10V | ||||
CL1 | 0.121A | 12.998A | 13.000A | 0.000A | 110.077 | 85.258% | 198 | 6.9 | 42.23°C | 0.982 |
12.265V | 5.064V | 3.290V | 5.019V | 129.111 | 47.57°C | 115.11V | ||||
CL2 | 45.835A | 1.000A | 1.000A | 1.000A | 570.420 | 90.378% | 677 | 19.6 | 44.27°C | 0.997 |
12.155V | 5.045V | 3.283V | 4.967V | 631.146 | 52.94°C | 115.10V |
With 20% and 50% load the efficiency is a little lower than the required 80 PLUS Platinum thresholds, because of the higher temperatures that we applied. With full load, the registered efficiency level is higher than the required 89%, even at 44.5°C.
20-80W Load Tests
In the following tests, we measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10% of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). This is important for representing when a PC is idle with power-saving features turned on.
Test # | 12V | 5V | 3.3V | 5VSB | DC/AC (Watts) | Efficiency | Fan Speed (RPM) | PSU Noise (dB[A]) | PF/AC Volts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1.209A | 0.491A | 0.494A | 0.198A | 19.990 | 73.742% | 174 | 6.3 | 0.939 |
12.277V | 5.096V | 3.330V | 5.049V | 27.108 | 115.09V | ||||
2 | 2.418A | 0.983A | 0.991A | 0.397A | 39.980 | 82.790% | 175 | 6.3 | 0.965 |
12.273V | 5.093V | 3.327V | 5.038V | 48.291 | 115.09V | ||||
3 | 3.632A | 1.472A | 1.489A | 0.597A | 60.010 | 86.429% | 177 | 6.3 | 0.979 |
12.270V | 5.091V | 3.324V | 5.028V | 69.433 | 115.09V | ||||
4 | 4.839A | 1.966A | 1.988A | 0.797A | 79.959 | 88.290% | 178 | 6.4 | 0.981 |
12.266V | 5.088V | 3.321V | 5.018V | 90.564 | 115.18V |
The efficiency levels are high in this load range (20-80W), while the fan spins at very low speeds, with the noise output bring close to the noise floor of our hemi-anechoic chamber.
2% or 10W Load Test
Intel plans on raising the ante at efficiency levels under ultra-light loads. So from July 2020, the ATX spec will require 70% and higher efficiency with 115V input. The applied load is only 10W for PSUs with 500W and lower capacities, while for stronger units we dial 2% of their max-rated-capacity.
Test # | 12V | 5V | 3.3V | 5VSB | DC/AC (Watts) | Efficiency | Fan Speed (RPM) | PSU Noise (dB[A]) | PF/AC Volts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0.743A | 0.216A | 0.216A | 0.049A | 11.175 | 61.973% | 159 | 6.1 | 0.874 |
12.260V | 5.090V | 3.331V | 5.052V | 18.032 | 115.09V |
With 2%, of the max-rated-capacity, load the PSU's efficiency barely exceeds 60%. It should be above 70%.
Efficiency
Next, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads, and loads from 10 to 110% of its maximum-rated capacity. The higher a PSU’s efficiency, the less energy goes wasted, leading to a reduced carbon footprint and lower electricity bills.
For the standards of this category, the efficiency that the be quiet! unit achieves, is pretty high, in all load ranges. Nonetheless, as we already stated, with 2% load Intel asks for higher than 70% efficiency levels.
5VSB Efficiency
Test # | 5VSB | DC/AC (Watts) | Efficiency | PF/AC Volts |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 0.100A | 0.505 | 67.244% | 0.107 |
5.054V | 0.751 | 115.14V | ||
2 | 0.250A | 1.262 | 77.423% | 0.201 |
5.048V | 1.630 | 115.14V | ||
3 | 0.550A | 2.771 | 80.905% | 0.307 |
5.037V | 3.425 | 115.14V | ||
4 | 1.000A | 5.022 | 81.792% | 0.374 |
5.021V | 6.140 | 115.13V | ||
5 | 1.500A | 7.506 | 81.543% | 0.411 |
5.003V | 9.205 | 115.13V | ||
6 | 3.000A | 14.848 | 80.652% | 0.463 |
4.949V | 18.410 | 115.11V |
The older model achieves much higher efficiency levels at 5VSB!
Power Consumption In Idle And Standby
Mode | 12V | 5V | 3.3V | 5VSB | Watts | PF/AC Volts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Idle | 12.271V | 5.090V | 3.330V | 5.057V | 6.398 | 0.604 |
115.1V | ||||||
Standby | 0.144 | 0.021 | ||||
115.1V |
The vampire power is increased, especially with 230V.
Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise
All results are obtained between an ambient temperature of 33 to 45 degrees Celsius (91.4 to 113 degrees Fahrenheit).
The fan speed profile is super relaxed, even under high operating temperatures.
The following results were obtained at 30 to 32 degrees Celsius (86 to 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit) ambient temperature.
The PSU's fan spins at very low speeds so, most of the time, you won't hear it at all.
MORE: Best Power Supplies
MORE: How We Test Power Supplies
MORE: All Power Supply Content