[section_title title=”Performance”]Performance

Since we don’t currently have access to an ATE load tester, a multi-meter is used to show each of the power supplies performance on the 3.3v, 5v and 12v rails.  Although we can’t do full load tests, we can provide relative information regarding variance and fluctuation of current and ripple on the rails which is integral and indicative of quality in a power supply.

To perform the above tests, the methodology will be as follows:

Test Setup

I7 4770k @ 4.5GHz

MSI Z87 G43 Gaming

1 x MSI R9 290

16GB (4x4GB) Crucial Ballistix 1866MHz CL9

1 x 250GB Samsung 840 EVO

Enermax Revolution X’t 730w

Voltages will be monitored via a multi-meter and the AC power draw will be monitored via a power monitor when drew from the wall.  For the idle test, the system will be simply booted up and let to run into windows and after 5 minutes when the power draw has levelled out, the readings will be taken.

To load and apply power to the power supply, a combination of IBT and Furmark will be run to put as much strain on the power supply as possible.  After 10 minutes the readings will be taken and to ensure maximum strain, the CPU will be overclocked to 4.5GHz.  Depending on the power of the power supply, multiple graphics cards could be used in line with how comfortable I feel the power supply will cope with such load.

ATX themselves specify that a fluctuation and variable of 5% is acceptable so to number crunch it means that:

3.3V = 3.135V-3.465V is acceptable

5V = 4.75V-5.25V is acceptable

12V = 11.4V – 12.6V is acceptable.

Any readings outside of these figures will be an automatic fail.

Total idle power draw = 81w which equates to just over 13% so it should spot on in the efficiency states with such a low load.

Total loaded power draw = 394w which equates to just under 66% so there plenty of load to test the power suppliers efficiency.  The results were as follows:

Idle

3.3V = 3.324V

5V = 5.21v

12V = 12.081

 

Load

3.3V = 3.298

5V = 5.21

12V = 12.086

During the testing of the Revolution X’t, the 5v rail did fluctuate a little to start with dropping below 5v and bouncing over, after a minute it settled to the noted results.

 

1
2
3
4
5
Previous articleMSI releases AM1 socketed Kabini Mini-ITX AM1I motherboard
Next articleRed Dot design awards for Wacom

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.