400-450W PSU Roundup
by Christoph Katzer on November 6, 2007 4:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Corsair DC Outputs
The DC output has minor flaws on the 3.3V and 5V rails, as we have seen with other similar models. The 12V rail stays within 3% of 12.00V. We have frequently heard complaints that our output results are lower than other reports on the net, particularly on the 3.3V and 5V rails. Please compare the load on the rails, however, as we are testing in accordance with the ATX12V v2.2 guidelines which requires higher loads. We think the loads on these rails might be a little outdated and hope that Intel will adjust these levels with an updated specification, but until then we will continue to push these rails to their limit even though it might be different in actual computer systems.
Efficiency
The efficiency reaches its maximum 85% at 220W, with the 230VAC input achieving 1.5% higher than the 120VAC input. With a 90VAC input, the unit only reaches 81% efficiency. While this may not be the most efficient power supply we've ever tested, it still manages to stay above 80% efficiency at most loads and is definitely a cut above the numerous budget power supplies that are on the market.
Ripple & Noise Results
| Corsair 450VX 450W | ||||
| PSU Load | 3.3V | 5V | 12V1 | Wattage All Rails |
| 10% | 1.31A | 1.31A | 2.76A | 45W |
| 20% | 2.62A | 2.62A | 5.52A | 90W |
| 50% | 6.54A | 6.54A | 13.79A | 224W |
| 80% | 10.47A | 10.47A | 22.06A | 354W |
| 100% | 13.09A | 13.09A | 28.58A | 440W |
| 110% | 14.40A | 14.40A | 30.33A | 480W |
The DC output has minor flaws on the 3.3V and 5V rails, as we have seen with other similar models. The 12V rail stays within 3% of 12.00V. We have frequently heard complaints that our output results are lower than other reports on the net, particularly on the 3.3V and 5V rails. Please compare the load on the rails, however, as we are testing in accordance with the ATX12V v2.2 guidelines which requires higher loads. We think the loads on these rails might be a little outdated and hope that Intel will adjust these levels with an updated specification, but until then we will continue to push these rails to their limit even though it might be different in actual computer systems.
Efficiency
The efficiency reaches its maximum 85% at 220W, with the 230VAC input achieving 1.5% higher than the 120VAC input. With a 90VAC input, the unit only reaches 81% efficiency. While this may not be the most efficient power supply we've ever tested, it still manages to stay above 80% efficiency at most loads and is definitely a cut above the numerous budget power supplies that are on the market.
Ripple & Noise Results
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
37 Comments
View All Comments
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - link
Yep, otherwise it's just getting too long and I thought actually nobody is too interested in that analyses anyway. Let me work something out for the next ones...Ripple is also coming today, I updated the 1200-1300 roundup already.
Super Nade - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - link
Good to know! I understand that it is going to take a considerable amount of work at the outset, to do a bit of design analysis, but once you have the popular topologies employed figured out it should be a lot less work.The length of the review is unimportant if it makes an interesting read. (Hypothetical example) Having 10 pages on the fans employed is going to be be boring. Since you have a wide audience with varying degree of technical appetite, the length of the review should not matter if the content is arranged appropriately.
Best wishes,
S-N
floffe - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - link
When referring to the 8800GT article, it'd be nice to point out that those 327W from the wall was with SLI. A single card didn't get much over 200W, so even the Ultra should be able to run that, however horrible it otherwise is a a PSU.As for the market, I just wish someone would produce a high quality 300W modular PSU. That'd be plenty for my needs.
xsilver - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - link
Would you be ok if they charged you the same as a 400w PSU? because for the manufacturers, they're not going to the trouble of making another PSU that costs them almost exactly the same to make.(its like asking for a car with only 15hp because thats all u need ;)
jonnyGURU - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 - link
Exactly. The cost difference at that level is rarely more than a $1. So if it costs me $30 to build a 400W, and $29 to build a 350W, etc. why would I bother?Souka - Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - link
maybe because some people "think" a 350w power supply consumes 50w less than a 400w power supply...:)
Hinkdog - Tuesday, July 21, 2020 - link
My 430 watt Antec Earthwatts that I bought in 2008 just failed. 12 years, pretty cool. Guess the 80mm fan didn't hurt its longevity. I know no one is going to read this in 2020 but wanted to post it anyway.