Efficiency and PFC




Efficiency was consistent across the four tested units, with differences of only 1%-2% at the various loads. Only the 350W model failed to reach 86% efficiency, topping out at 85% instead. As we discussed recently, small differences in efficiency aren't a major concern. All of the tested models also stay above 80% efficiency as long as the load is at least ~10%, so these power supplies would be a great fit for entry-level to midrange systems.


The power factor correction only reaches .98 with 230VAC - acceptable but it could be better. Lower input voltages as always have better PFC.

DC Output Stability and Quality Temperatures, Fan Speed, and Acoustics
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  • Slomo4shO - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - link

    Would it be possible to include CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX, PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS420X, OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ400MXSP, and OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ500MXSP in your upcoming write-up?
  • Christoph Katzer - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - link

    Yep, have them already here.
  • Havor - Thursday, November 20, 2008 - link

    Hi Christoph nice review

    But if you really be cool if you would put all the tested PSU's in a database.
    ware you can select a power rating (like say 400~450W) and see on a graf how all the PSUs performs in that W-rating
    http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/3/11/20/f_PSUg...">http://img03.picoodle.com/img/img03/3/11/20/f_PSUg...

    A other thing that would be nice would be if you would give all PSU a grade from 0~100 ware 100 would be a PSU perfect PSU <15db/100% eff./DC output perfect flat/temp <30c/PFC = 1/build quality perfect

    And then turn it in a graf. and cross it whit personal most important part for HTPC builders that would be db, for people building a server it would be high % efficacy
  • Mr Perfect - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - link

    It would be interesting to know what Seasonic is up to these days. Their old S12 line was quite impressive in it's day.

    Oh, and anything that has more then just one 6pin PEG connector. Someone with a reasonably powered system might still want to hook in a 4870 or GTX260, seeing how games are generally GPU limited today.
  • Netcraazzy - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - link

    I'd love to see a head-to-head comparison between these PSUs and similar units from Antec, OCZ, Seasonic, Sparkle and others. I'm especially interested in the 400w-500w range.
  • Amart - Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - link

    Opinion seconded, well done with the review. I especially appreciate the attention to quality and ripple graphs, as these are of prime concern when recommending a PSU.

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