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Additional technical assistance: Peter McFarland and Jeremy Price.
Correctly testing power supplies is a complex procedure and KitGuru have configured a test bench which can deliver up to a 2,000 watt DC load. Due to public requests we have changed our temperature settings recently – previously we rated with ambient temperatures at 25C, we have increased ambient temperatures by 10c (to 35c) in our environment to greater reflect warmer internal chassis conditions.
We use combinations of the following hardware:
• SunMoon SM-268
• CSI3710A Programmable DC load (+3.3V and +5V outputs)
• CSI3711A Programmable DC load (+12V1, +12V2, +12V3, and +12V4)
• Extech Power Analyzer
• Extech MultiMaster MM570 digital multimeter
• Extech digital sound level meter
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA
12V output is combined for our testing.
|
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
|
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
|
100W
|
1.52
|
3.33
|
1.75
|
5.04
|
6.61
|
12.08
|
0.50
|
5.03
|
0.20 | -12.11 |
|
225W
|
3.76
|
3.32
|
3.83
|
5.03
|
15.51
|
12.06
|
1.00
|
5.02
|
0.20 | -12.10 |
|
450W
|
7.54
|
3.31
|
8.34
|
5.02
|
30.74
|
12.04
|
1.50
|
5.01
|
0.30 | -12.08 |
| 675W | 11.30 | 3.30 | 12.31 | 5.01 | 47.51 | 12.00 | 2.00 | 4.99 | 0.50 | -12.06 |
|
850W
|
1.44
|
3.29
|
1.15
|
5.00
|
63.33
|
11.97
|
0.50
|
4.99
|
0.20 | -12.05 |
The NZXT Hale82 850W produces strong load regulation across all output. They all achieved between +/-3% of the nominal voltage instead of the recommended +/-5%.
| NZXT Hale82 850W | Maximum Load |
| 909W |
We managed to get the PSU to achieve 909W before it would shut down, delivering around 59W more than the rated specifications.
Next we want to try Cross Loading. This basically means loads which are not balanced. If a PC for instance needs 500W on the +12V outputs but something like 30W via the combined 3.3V and +5V outputs then the voltage regulation can fluctuate badly.
| Cross Load Testing | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | -12V | +5VSB | |||||
| A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | A | V | |
| 760W | 1.0 | 3.33 | 1.0 | 5.02 | 60.0 | 11.95 | 0.2 | -12.04 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
| 165W | 15.0 | 3.28 | 18.0 | 5.00 | 2.0 | 12.07 | 0.2 | -12.02 | 0.50 | 4.99 |
These are exceptional results under intensive load changes, with all output holding well. The +12V output fluctuates by only 0.12 when loaded.
We then used an oscilloscope to measure AC ripple and noise present on the DC outputs. We set the oscilloscope time base to check for AC ripple at both high and low ends of the spectrum.
ATX12V V2.2 specification for DC output ripple and noise is defined in the ATX 12V power supply design guide.
|
ATX12V Ver 2.2 Noise/Ripple Tolerance
|
|
|
Output
|
Ripple (mV p-p)
|
|
+3.3V
|
50
|
|
+5V
|
50
|
|
+12V1
|
120
|
|
+12V2
|
120
|
|
-12V
|
120
|
|
+5VSB
|
50
|
Obviously when measuring AC noise and ripple on the DC outputs the cleaner (less recorded) means we have a better end result. We measured this AC signal amplitude to see how closely the unit complied with the ATX standard.
| AC Ripple (mV p-p) | ||||
| DC Load | +3.3V | +5V | +12V | 5VSB |
| 100W | 5 | 5 | 15 | 10 |
| 225W | 10 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| 450W | 10 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| 675W | 10 | 10 | 25 | 10 |
| 850W | 15 | 10 | 35 | 15 |
Ripple results are extremely impressive across all the rails, the Seasonic design peaking at only 35mW on the 12V+ output at 100% load.
|
Efficiency (%)
|
|
|
100W
|
84.35
|
|
225W
|
86.23
|
|
450W
|
88.89
|
|
675W
|
87.74
|
| 850W | 85.58 |
For a 80 Plus Bronze specified unit, these results are some of the best we have seen to date, peaking at around 89 percent efficiency at 50 percent load. At 100 percent load, this drops to 85.58 percent, which is a fantastic result.
We take the issue of noise very seriously at KitGuru and this is why we have built a special home brew system as a reference point when we test noise levels of various components. Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on components we are testing. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.
Today to test the power supply we have taken it into our acoustics room environment and have set our Digital Sound Level Noise Decibel Meter Style 2 one meter away from the unit. We have no other fans running so we can effectively measure just the noise from the unit itself.
As this can be a little confusing for people, here are various dBa ratings in with real world situations to help describe the various levels.
KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refridgerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 Player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum
|
Noise (dBA)
|
|
|
100W
|
29.3
|
|
225W
|
30.7
|
|
450W
|
31.2
|
|
675W
|
33.5
|
| 850W | 35.8 |
The power supply is basically inaudible until around 400-450W output when the fan spins up a little, creating a whisper of fan noise. It isn't until around 650W output that the fan is audible, however it doesn't become intrusive. At full load, the fan can be easily heard, although this isn't a practical real world situation.
|
Temperature (c)
|
||
|
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
|
100W
|
36
|
38
|
|
225W
|
38
|
43
|
|
450W
|
40
|
46
|
|
675W
|
43
|
53
|
|
850W
|
45
|
57
|
The fan spins moderately once the supply is loaded to around 450W, maintaining good ambient temperatures right up to full load.
|
Maximum load
|
Efficiency
|
|
909W
|
83.8%
|
For those interested, we measured efficiency when stressing the unit to breaking point. 83.8% at 909W … hardly practical in the real world, but interesting.
