Voltage Regulation

+3.3V Regulation/Ripple and Noise
Load Voltage
5% +2.72% (5mV)
10% +2.72% (7mV)
20% +2.42% (11mV)
50% +2.12% (12mV)
80% +1.52% (13mV)
100% +1.52% (15mV)
110% +1.21% (19mV)
Crossload +12V max. +3.03%
Crossload +3.3V/+5V max. +0.30%

 

+5V Regulation/Ripple and Noise
Load Voltage
5% +3.40% (4mV)
10% +3.40% (3mV)
20% +3.40% (7mV)
50% +3.00% (10mV)
80% +2.60% (12mV)
100% +2.40% (14mV)
110% +2.00% (18mV)
Crossload +12V max. +3.20%
Crossload +3.3V/+5V max. -0.20%

 

+12V Regulation (Worst Ouput)/Ripple and Noise (Worst Output)
Load Voltage
5% +2.25% (7mV)
10% +2.08% (11mV)
20% +1.92% (29mV)
50% +1.58% (41mV)
80% +1.25% (52mV)
100% +0.92% (60mV)
110% +0.75% (64mV)
Crossload +12V max. +1.08%
Crossload +3.3V/+5V max. -0.17%

Noise Levels

Loudness (subjective)
Load Opinion
5% audible fan rotation
10% audible fan rotation
20% audible fan rotation
50% audible fan rotation and choke chirping
80% audible fan rotation and choke chirping
100% strong fan noise and choke chirping
110% strong fan noise and choke chirping

Efficiency and PFC

Efficiency and Power Factor 230 VAC
Load Efficiency PFC
5% 69.58% 0.862
10% 77.98% 0.924
20% 84.63% 0.948
50% 87.17% 0.959
80% 85.93% 0.965
100% 85.86% 0.967
110% 85.32% 0.968

 

Efficiency and Power Factor 115 VAC
Load Efficiency PFC
5% 67.21% 0.892
10% 76.57% 0.954
20% 84.23% 0.962
50% 85.90% 0.969
80% 83.76% 0.978
100% 82.92% 0.989
110% 82.58% 0.993

The +12V voltage regulation is acceptable, while the weaker ouputs start too high. Nevertheless, all of the voltages are well within the ATX specification. Moreover there is hardly any ripple or noise on the smaller outputs +5V and +3.3V. They're always under 20mV and there are no remarkable spikes or transients. There's definitely some nice work here. The power factor is satisfying as well, staying above 0.862.  Especially during low load efficiency could be much higher but that's OK for an 80Plus Bronze PSU.

Internals and Electronics Conclusion
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  • LeftSide - Saturday, March 17, 2012 - link

    Whenever you do a review on a Power Supply, is their any way you can get a retail version to check and make sure you are getting the same results? I just feel like if a company sends in a power supply to you, they are going to send the absolute best performing power supply they have. It might not always be reflective of real world results.
    Graphics cards and CPUs are different. The performance will be the same. Although I never trust the overclocking results. Again the company sending you the product is going to send the lowest voltage part they have, giving the review the best OC results possible. I wait to read the forums about how well they OC in real life.
  • pc_void - Saturday, March 17, 2012 - link

    I agree. PSUs are too often cherry picked. Takes away from the review in the end.
  • Martin Kaffei - Saturday, March 17, 2012 - link

    This PSU has no Japanese main capacitor as promised. So nobody checked this sample.
  • ssddaydream - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    While I agree that retail units will often differ from review samples, I disagree that CPUs and GPUs would be the same. Performance characteristics at identical clock speeds would be the same, but overclocking and thermal characteristics could differ significantly.
  • AnnonymousCoward - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    uhh, he said CPUs and GPUs are different.
  • ssddaydream - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    I am saying CPUs and GPUs vary largely.
  • Swirlser - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    The OP is saying CPUs and GPUs vary.

    OP: "Graphics cards and CPUs are different."

    ssddaydream: "I disagree that CPUs and GPUs would be the same."
  • Just1Jay - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    No, sir. ;- )
    I think you are being waaay too picky. ;- )
    Anyway, many reviews are done with manufacture demos which we hope are the same as the retail items. No matter what the component.
    Just my input.
    Jay
  • Spacecomber - Saturday, March 17, 2012 - link

    I'm not familiar with this manufacturer. Do they have their own retail line (as do Seasonic and Fortron, for example)? What would some typical brands be (and maybe models) that make use of this company for the manufacturing their products. Looking at their web site, I get the impression that they make a range of components for the electronics industry, but I couldn't easily get any further specifics. (They are a Taiwanese company with much of their manufacturing done on the mainland.)
  • Peanutsrevenge - Sunday, March 18, 2012 - link

    Try reading the article before asking questions that already answered in the article:

    "Sirtec (High Power) is the manufacturer of the Hive-series."

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