The numbers
Our testing procedures can be found at this link.
Efficiency
| Load | 10pc | 25pc | 50pc | 75pc | 100pc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | 83.3pc | 90.0pc | 93.4pc | 91.0 | 90.2pc |
The 10pc load equates to 62W of load - it's not an exact figure as the various lines have to be loaded with particular amps/volts that may not exactly map out to the desired number.
Those who think that such a figure is pointless for a 650W PSU may like to know that an Intel Core-i5 2500K system with 8GB of RAM and a super-high-end Radeon HD 7970 graphics card idles at just 42W, and that's measured at the wall. Knowing efficiency at low-load levels is just as important as at, say, 50 per cent or 75 per cent.
The efficiency figures just about meet the criteria for Platinum, as set out by 80 PLUS, but it's a close call, going by our measurements.
Regulation
In terms of regulation, we're looking at just how well the supply is able to hold to the various lines. The ATX spec. has a +/- 5 per cent leeway on all but the -12V line.
| Line/Load | 3.3V | 5V | 12V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 per cent | -0.9pc | +1.0pc | +1.2pc |
| 50 per cent | -1.4pc | 0.3pc | +1.0pc |
| 100 per cent | -2.2pc | -2.8pc | +0.9pc |
The supply performs within specification but isn't as good at regulating voltage as, say, the XFX ProSeries 1,250W, though do know that it's half the price.
Regulation - cross-load
How about providing uneven loads that stress particular voltage rails? In the first attempt, we've put 48A on the 12V rails, and 1A on the 3.3V and 5V rails. This can actually be somewhat typical for a system heavy on graphics and CPU power. In the second, we've turned the tables and gone for 15A on both the 3.3V and 5V rails - highly unlikely in a real-world environment - and just 2A on the 12V - even more unlikely!
| Line/Load | 3.3V | 5V | 12V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-load 12V focus | -2.5pc | -2.2 | -3.1pc |
| Cross-load 3.3V/5V focus | -1.7pc | -2.6pc | +3.1pc |
Numbers fall within specification and there's little to be worried about. We'd like them closer to the ideal, but even pushing and pulling the supply's power-delivery system can't throw it off.
Ripple
| Line/Load (mv - p-p max) | 3.3V | 5V | 12V |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 per cent | 15mV | 20mV | 20mV |
| 50 per cent | 15mV | 20mV | 25mV |
| 100 per cent | 20mV | 30mV | 55mV |
The ATX v2.2 spec states that the maximum permissible ripple is 120mV for the 12V line and 50mV for others.
Ripple is just above average with respect to the PSUs we've previously tested. In ripple-speak it's a fairly quiet PSU until stressed with 100 per cent load, where it can get noisy. But our commentary compares it against a perfect supply and there is no such thing. Again, and repeating ad nauseam, it's well within ATX specifications.
Temps
| Temperatures | Intake | Exhaust |
|---|---|---|
| 10 per cent | 29°C | 33°C |
| 50 per cent | 32°C | 35°C |
| 100 per cent | 35°C | 45°C |
Good temps all round. You'd expect it to become warmer when loaded to 100pc for extended periods. We reckon the low-ish temperatures are a function of the relatively low power it has to push out: imagine trying to keep a 1,500W PSU cool!
We'd normally report the noise rating, but such is the din produced by the Chroma machine - ears are still ringing - that doing so would be completely pointless.
However, subjective analysis finds that the supply is very quiet at low loads - those under 300W - and the fan only becomes noticeable, though not aurally offensive, at 400W-plus.
Results recap
Very good on efficiency and reasonable in other areas.
