Power Supplies Tested

[Skuzzy]

One of the areas many people who build their own system fail at is choosing a good quality power supply.  For the new high end systems, it is imperative a good quality power supply be used unless you like dealing with random problems all the time.

It is rarely done, but here is a test of a group of power supplies.  Lots of good stuff there.  Long read, but a pretty decent one.

[humble]

very good read

[Fulmar]

Nice article/website.  Except they get a C- in graphs.  When the data you collected on a graph varies 1-5% and your scale is set from 0-100%, why not just crop and zoom in on that section?  Otherwise you have overlaying charted lines that are impossible to read.

[Getback]

Thanks Skuzzy!

Power Supplies are something I just don't have a good grip on....yet.

[alskahawk]

 Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts  Next year; 1000 watts? 

 

 

[OOZ662]

Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts  Next year; 1000 watts? 

Just saw a guy on here not to long ago speak of using a 900W power supply. It isn't far off.

[BoilerDown]

I like the Power Supply testing methodology at www.hardocp.com.  They have something close to 50 power supply reviews since they started reviewing them in early 2007.  Getting a "Pass" grade from them is not easy.  Read this for more info:  http://www.hardocp.com/article.html?art=MTI4OSwsLGhlbnRodXNpYXN0 .

I also check Anandtech, they do a good job reviewing just about everything, so I trust their power supply reviews as well:  http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus .

Overall I'd start and finish at HardOCP though.  Any power supply that finishes their torture test is going to be a good one.

[Fulmar]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817703012
PC Power & Cooling T12W 1200W
1.2KW Continuous (1.3KW peak) @ 50°C
Fits Std. ATX Cases (20" min. depth)
+12VDC @ 90A (100A pk)
On sale for $550

[Denholm]

Thank you for the post Skuzzy. I'll probably drop by later on in life when I get around to building the entire system myself.

[BaldEagl]

Just think, 10 years ago; 230 watts. Today; 500+watts  Next year; 1000 watts? 

 

 

You can already buy 1200 watt PSU's.

[Skuzzy]

I am not crazy about HardOCP.

[Getback]

I see PC Power and Cooling won again and it's only about $110 after rebate at Newegg.com.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

[Skuzzy]

It was strange they picked the PC Power & Cooling supply again.  Maybe they went by the weight of the supplies?  Their supplies have always been pretty hefty due to the massive heat sinks they use.

[BoilerDown]

I am not crazy about HardOCP.

Well either way The Tech Report winner was also given HardOCP's highest award for power supplies

[Chalenge]

I have been using a Kingwin 900W unit for just a few months but with the change to more power in the video slots I upgraded:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817121040

Its not supposed to drop below 80% efficiency but more importantly since I am not using quite the full rated potential nor dropping below a certain level the efficiency should remain right around its best capabilities or 85%.