The 80 PLUS certification measures efficiency at 20%, 50%, and 100% load of the PSU's maximum-rated capacity, up to the Gold efficiency certification. For the Platinum and Titanium levels, efficiency is also measured at 10 percent of the PSU's maximum-rated capacity load.
Simply put, if a PSU has an 80 PLUS certification, then it must have the equivalent efficiency required by the corresponding certification. However, 80 PLUS measures at a mere 23 °C (73.4 °F) ambient, whereas we measure efficiency at a higher ambient temperature. This means that, in many cases, a PSU that is certified to a certain efficiency category fails to deliver the same efficiency at higher temperatures in our tests.
Besides the 80 PLUS standard, there is also the Cybenetics efficiency and noise measurements standard, which tests with more than 1450 different load combinations at higher temperatures (30 °C ± 2 °C) for more accurate results. Cybenetics has evaluated more than 1,000 PSUs to date, providing comprehensive evaluation reports on its database.
A third certification body, the PPLP (originally marketed as the “PSU Performance Level Plan” and recently rebranded as the Pro Performance Level Plan), is an independent evaluation laboratory and star-rating scheme that issues model-level Efficiency ratings for power supplies, as well as complementary Silent (acoustic) and component-efficiency star ratings. PPLP publishes full per-model test reports and applies segmented, scenario-based evaluations (medium/heavy/extreme load profiles) for acoustic ratings using equivalent continuous sound level (LAeq), and it has expanded its scope to include DC-axial fan and case-cooling efficiency star standards; PPLP’s reports and sample-management procedures are intended to support repeatability and OEM certification workflows.
Feature | 80 PLUS | Cybenetics (ETA / LAMBDA) | PPLP (Pro Performance Level Plan) |
|---|---|---|---|
Testing organisation | CLEAResult (80 PLUS program operator). (CLEAResult) | Cybenetics Labs (independent testing + public database). (Cybenetics) | PPLP Lab / Pro Performance Level Plan (operated by PPLP Lab / Guangzhou Chaoneng Tech Service Co., Ltd.). (pplp.info) |
Load points / scope | Fixed set points (typically 20%, 50%, 100% of rated output; 10% included for Platinum/Titanium variants per program rules). | Comprehensive multi-rail/load mapping — results derived from >1,450 tested load combinations with interpolation to many more data points. | Programmatic star ratings across operational ranges; tests and reports are scenario/segment-based (includes acoustic segmented-load tests and electrical performance reporting per model). |
Ambient / thermal conditions | Standardized chamber temperature: 23 °C ±5 °C per 80 PLUS test protocol. | Evaluations conducted in higher ambient conditions (≈30 °C ±2 °C) to better represent in-chassis operation. | Emphasises representative, in-system conditions (thermal simulation inside chassis and controlled acoustic/thermal environments are described in PPLP reports). |
Noise / acoustic evaluation | Not part of core 80 PLUS efficiency certification (efficiency only). | Includes LAMBDA (noise) ratings and quantifies average noise over many load combinations. | Provides a dedicated “Silent Star” acoustic rating using LAeq across medium/heavy/extreme load scenarios; results reported per model. |
Reporting & database | Certificate listings and model database on 80 PLUS site; limited per-model public test data beyond certification entries. (CLEAResult) | Public database with detailed per-model test pages (efficiency, noise, PF, ripple, etc.). (Cybenetics) | Publishes full model test reports and star ratings on pplp.info; offers efficiency, acoustic and component (fan/case) reports. (pplp.info) |
In our reviews, we measure efficiency with a super light load of 5% of the PSU's max-rated capacity, and along its nominal loading range of (10%-100%) in steps of 10%. We calculate average efficiency as the average between 10% and 100% loading. Efficiency is tested both in room temperature and in hotbox temperature conditions.
The ATX specification also states that the efficiency of the 5VSB rail should be measured, too. In the table below, you will find the minimum 5VSB efficiency levels that the ATX specification recommends.
Recommended System DC And AC Power Consumption
Load | Efficiency |
|---|---|
≤0.225W | < 0.5W to meet 2013 ErP Lot 6 requirement (100V~240V) |
≤0.45W | < 1W to meet ErP Lot 6 requirement (100V~240V) |
≤2.75W | < 5W to meet 2014 ErP Lot 3 requirement (100V~240V) |
MORE: Best Power Supplies
MORE: All Power Supply Articles
MORE: Power Supplies in the Forums
