EVGA SuperNOVA 550 G2 PSU Review
EVGA introduced two new low-capacity G2 PSUs. Today, we evaluate the 550 G2 model made by Super Flower, which features 80 Plus Gold efficiency.
Why you can trust Tom's Hardware
Cross-Load Tests And Infrared Images
Our cross-load tests are described in detail here.
To generate the following charts, we set our loaders to auto mode through our custom-made software before trying more than 1,000 possible load combinations with the +12V, 5V and 3.3V rails. The load-regulation deviations in each of the charts below were calculated by taking the nominal values of the rails (12V, 5V and 3.3V) as point zero.
Load Regulation Charts



Efficiency Chart
For a quite large region of the PSU's operating range, the efficiency is between 90 and 95 percent. This is a highly efficient platform, and it can be even more efficient with some modifications. Super Flower already released a 550W Leadex Platinum unit, and we expect EVGA to include the relevant model in the P2 line soon.
Ripple Charts




Infrared Images
Toward the end of the cross-load tests, we took some photos of the PSU with our modified FLIR E4 camera that delivers 320 x 240-IR resolution (76,800 pixels).





Inside the PSU, the temperatures were at normal levels, given that we shot the above thermal images during the overload test (110 percent load) with an ambient temperature that exceeded 45 degrees C. We also noticed that in a worst-case scenario, the single-bridge rectifier had an operating temperature that reached 92.2 degrees C. We should note, however, that most bridge rectifiers can easily operate at even higher temperatures, reaching or exceeding 100 degrees C.
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Current page: Cross-Load Tests And Infrared Images
Prev Page Efficiency, Temperature And Noise Next Page Transient Response Tests
Aris Mpitziopoulos is a contributing editor at Tom's Hardware, covering PSUs.