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Efficiency
Our efficiency testing procedure is detailed here.
Using results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing the TPG-750AH3FSGR’s efficiency at low loads, and loads from 10 to 110 percent of its maximum-rated capacity.
Both Thermaltake units have high efficiency under both light and normal loads, with their results being very close.
Efficiency At Low Loads
In the following tests, we measure the TPG-750AH3FSGR's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10 percent of its maximum capacity (the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures). The loads we dial are 20, 40, 60, and 80W. 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 | 1.193A | 0.494A | 0.474A | 0.198A | 19.600 | 68.231% | 0 | <6.0 | 0.875 |
| 12.149V | 5.062V | 3.386V | 5.053V | 28.726 | 115.07V | ||||
| 2 | 2.450A | 0.989A | 0.977A | 0.397A | 40.019 | 81.224% | 0 | <6.0 | 0.906 |
| 12.128V | 5.058V | 3.381V | 5.041V | 49.270 | 115.06V | ||||
| 3 | 3.642A | 1.485A | 1.452A | 5.028A | 59.542 | 85.298% | 0 | <6.0 | 0.934 |
| 12.118V | 5.054V | 3.376V | 5.028V | 69.805 | 115.06V | ||||
| 4 | 4.900A | 1.981A | 1.959A | 0.798A | 79.973 | 87.460% | 0 | <6.0 | 0.951 |
| 12.115V | 5.050V | 3.371V | 5.015V | 91.440 | 115.05V |
We measure high efficiency under light loads. The passive operation also helps in this, since the fan doesn't consume any power and with such low loads even few Watts can make a difference.
5VSB Efficiency
The ATX specification (revision 1.4), along with CEC, ErP Lot 3 2014 and ErP Lot 6 2010/2013, states that the 5VSB standby supply efficiency should be as high as possible, recommending 75 percent or higher with 550mA, 1A, and 1.5A of load.
The supply should also achieve higher than 75% efficiency at 5VSB under full load, or with 3A if its max current output on this rail is higher than 3A.
We take six measurements: one each at 100, 250, 550, 1000, and 1500mA, and one with the full load the 5VSB rail can handle.
| Test # | 5VSB | DC/AC (Watts) |
Efficiency | PF/AC Volts |
| 1 | 0.100A | 0.510 | 74.020% | 0.082 |
| 5.089V | 0.689 | 115.06V | ||
| 2 | 0.250A | 1.271 | 77.358% | 0.166 |
| 5.082V | 1.643 | 115.06V | ||
| 3 | 0.550A | 2.788 | 80.000% | 0.250 |
| 5.068V | 3.485 | 115.06V | ||
| 4 | 1.000A | 5.048 | 80.331% | 0.300 |
| 5.047V | 6.284 | 115.06V | ||
| 5 | 1.500A | 7.536 | 80.256% | 0.326 |
| 5.023V | 9.390 | 115.06V | ||
| 6 | 3.000A | 14.843 | 77.700% | 0.364 |
| 4.947V | 19.103 | 115.06V |
The 5VSB rail's efficiency is satisfactory with 115V, since we get three readings with 80% and higher efficiency levels. With 230V the registered efficiency levels are lower, as expected.
Power Consumption In Idle And Standby
In the table below, you’ll find the power consumption and voltage values of all rails (except -12V) when the PSU is idle (powered on, but without any load on its rails), and the power consumption when the unit is in standby mode (without any load, at 5VSB).
| Mode | 12V | 5V | 3.3V | 5VSB | Watts | PF/AC Volts |
| Idle | 12.196V | 5.067V | 3.392V | 5.067V | 5.930 | 0.474 |
| 115.1V | ||||||
| Standby | 0.089 | 0.011 | ||||
| 115.1V | ||||||
As you can see the vampire power levels are notably higher than the competition's. With lower power consumption in standby the 5VSB rail would be more efficient under light loads.
Fan RPM, Delta Temperature, And Output Noise
Our mixed noise testing is described in detail here.
The first chart below illustrates the cooling fan's speed (in RPM), and the delta between input and output temperature. The results were obtained at 37°C (98.6°F) to 47°C (116.6°F) ambient temperature.
The next chart shows the cooling fan's speed (again, in RPM) and output noise. We measure acoustics from one meter away, inside a hemi-anechoic chamber.
Background noise inside the chamber is below 6 dB(A) during testing (it's actually much lower, but our sound meter’s microphone hits its floor), and the results are obtained with the PSU operating at 37°C (98.6°F) to 47°C (116.6°F) ambient temperature.
The following graph illustrates the fan's output noise over the PSU's operating range. The same conditions of the above graph apply to our measurements, though the ambient temperature is between 30°C (86°F) to 32°C (89.6°F).
The semi-passive operation lasts till the load reaches 180W at +12V. The fan enters the noisy 35-40 dB(A) region with higher than 625W loads at +12V, and as you will notice the more the stress on the minor rails the higher the noise output.
The 650W unit seems to have a similar fan speed profile with its large brother, adjusted of course to its lower capacity.
