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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.
We test ambient temperatures at 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
• SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa)
• Digital oscilloscope (20M S/s with 12 Bit ADC)
• Variable Autotransformer, 1.4 KVA
We test in a single +12V configuration.
|
DC Output Load Regulation
|
||||||||||
|
Combined DC Load |
+3.3V
|
+5V
|
+12V
|
+5VSB
|
-12V | |||||
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A
|
V
|
A | V | |
|
100W
|
0.90
|
3.32
|
0.90
|
5.01
|
7.35
|
12.12
|
0.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.01
|
|
200W
|
1.60
|
3.32
|
1.64
|
5.01
|
15.13
|
12.12
|
1.00
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.01
|
|
500W
|
3.20
|
3.32
|
3.25
|
5.01
|
38.60
|
12.10
|
1.50
|
5.01
|
0.20
|
-12.01
|
| 750W |
4.03
|
3.32
|
4.16
|
5.00
|
58.53
|
12.06
|
2.00
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.01
|
|
1000W
|
5.45
|
3.32
|
5.51
|
5.00
|
78.13
|
12.02
|
2.50
|
5.01
|
0.30
|
-12.01
|
The load regulation of this power supply is solid throughout, with only minor dip on the +12V rail.
| Corsair RM1000e | Maximum Load |
| 1123W |
The power supply managed to deliver 1123W before shutting down safely.
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 | |
| 885W | 2.0 | 3.32 | 2.0 | 5.01 | 72.0 | 12.02 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
| 240W | 20.0 | 3.30 | 23.0 | 4.97 | 2.0 | 12.12 | 0.2 | -12.01 | 0.50 | 5.01 |
The Corsair RM1000e handled our cross load test very well, holding stable results across the range.
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 | 10 | 5 |
| 250W | 10 | 5 | 10 | 10 |
| 500W | 15 | 10 | 20 | 10 |
| 750W | 20 | 15 | 25 | 15 |
| 1000W | 25 | 15 | 35 | 15 |
Ripple noise suppression is pretty good and well within industry rated parameters. At full load the +3.3V and +5V rails peak at 25mV and 15mV respectively. The +12V rail peaks at 35mV.
|
Efficiency (%)
|
|
|
100W
|
88.7
|
|
250W
|
90.3
|
|
500W
|
92.6
|
|
750W
|
91.7
|
|
1000W
|
89.6
|
The efficiency results are excellent, peaking at 92.6% at close to 55% load. This drops to just under 90% efficiency at full load. These are really very positive results for an 80 Plus Gold rated unit.
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 SkyTronic DSL 2 Digital Sound Level Meter (6-130dBa) 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
|
|
250W
|
<28.0
|
|
500W
|
30.4
|
|
750W
|
31.6
|
| 1000W | 35.7 |
The large fan does not start to spin until around 500 watts load, and then it was inaudible in our environment.
Once we hit around 900 watts load, the fan started to actively ramp up to deal with rising temperatures inside the chassis. At full load, the fan was clearly audible, but if you are running a system at 1000 watt load regularly, you really need to be thinking about a unit more in the 1500 watt power range. This would help achieve much more tolerable noise levels and hit much more optimal levels of efficiency.
|
Temperature (c)
|
||
|
Intake
|
Exhaust
|
|
|
100W
|
37
|
42
|
|
250W
|
38
|
45
|
|
500W
|
40
|
54
|
|
750W
|
45
|
55
|
|
1000W
|
46
|
62
|
The large fan works well in maintaining quiet noise levels, however due to the modest fan speeds and 80 Plus Gold efficiency levels we feel the power supply might benefit a little from a slightly more aggressive fan profile. If you value low noise levels however, this unit should be very appealing.
|
Maximum load
|
Efficiency
|
|
1123W
|
88.7
|
Pushing the PSU well above its rated limits generates an efficiency of around 88.7.
