Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W PSU Review

1. Introduction2. Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W (Bundle/Cables) 3. Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W (External)4. Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W (Internal)5. Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W (Super High Res Gallery)6. Testing Methodology7. Closing Thoughts8. View All Pages

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

DC Output Load Regulation
Combined DC Load	+3.3V		+5V		+12V		+5VSB		-12V
	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V	A	V
100W	1.57	3.32	1.76	5.08	6.66	12.23	0.50	5.02	0.20	-12.02
225W	3.75	3.32	3.86	5.08	15.59	12.21	1.00	5.02	0.20	-12.02
450W	7.54	3.32	8.35	5.07	30.78	12.18	1.50	5.01	0.30	-12.03
675W	11.33	3.31	12.35	5.06	47.46	12.15	2.00	5.01	0.50	-12.04
850W	1.52	3.31	1.17	5.07	63.53	12.12	0.50	5.00	0.20	-12.05

Load regulation is excellent with all rails exhibiting very minor fluctuation under load.

Antec High Current Pro Platinum 850W	Maximum Load
	1044W

We managed to get the PSU to achieve 1044W before it would shut down, delivering around 194W more than rated specifications. This unit is clearly a 1000W power supply, in disguise.

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	3.32	1.0	5.06	60.0	12.10	0.2	-12.03	0.50	5.00
165W	15.0	3.32	18.0	5.05	2.0	12.22	0.2	-12.03	0.50	5.01

The power supply exhibited no problems when dealing with our intensive Cross Loading test. It was tasked with 60A on the +12V rail and it held at 12.10V. The other rails delivered good results also.

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	10	5	15	5
225W	10	10	15	5
450W	10	10	15	5
675W	10	10	20	10
850W	10	15	25	10

Noise suppression results are superb, peaking at 10-15mV on both +3.3V and +5V rails. The +12V rail peaked at 25mV under full load – well within the rated parameters.

Efficiency (%)
100W	86.78
225W	91.78
450W	93.67
675W	92.76
850W	91.87

Efficiency is just as impressive, peaking at 93.67 percent at 50 percent load. This drops to just below 92 percent at full load.

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 Refrigerator
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	<28.0
225W	<28.0
450W	31.2
675W	34.2
850W	36.7

Fan activity is low until around 550W demand is met. It is worth pointing out that this fan is clearly over specified for the 850W unit, as it is the same fan used in the 1300W flagship model. The fan doesn't have to spin as high in the HCP-850W power supply, so the noise levels are generally quite a bit lower.

In our room we found that loads under 500W translated to an almost silent experience. The fan spins up when the load gets higher and subsequently ambient temperatures increase accordingly. At full load it is clearly audible, although this is not a realistic continuous load to be requesting from this unit.

Temperature (c)
	Intake	Exhaust
100W	37	40
225W	38	44
450W	42	48
675W	45	55
850W	47	59

The large fan helps to ensure that rising load demands are met with increased air flow.

Maximum load	Efficiency
1044 watts	90.24

At 1044 watts, the efficiency level measures 90.24%. Not a practical situation to be running 24/7, but worth noting.

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