Cross Loading
Our cross loading procedure is designed to rigorously test the stability of the main two rail combinations. We push the maximum rated current and wattage through the 12 volt rail(s), and then through the 3.3 and 5 volt rails combined, and see if the power supply is capable of delivering its specification for those. However, meeting the specification is not enough, the power supply must also maintain strong voltage regulation and noise/ripple to have “passed the cross load test.
The cross load test is a “worst case scenario” for the two main power delivery rail mechanisms (12v and 3.3+5v) and so the power supply will always deliver slightly lower than realistic/expected results. However, this is not necessarily a realistic test and it is just a case of pushing a power supply’s rails right to their rated limits to see how well they can hold up.
12 Volt Cross Loading
5 and 3.3 Volt Cross Loading
It’s all the PSU 95% of people will ever need. Why cough up for a gold or platinum certified PSU? You’ll never be able to recoup the extra money spent on that PSU on your electricity bill.
While it is important to use a quality, efficient PSU, the bronze, silver,gold & platinum rating is more about marketing and the excuse to charge more. It all means very little to the end user but a lot of purchasers base their purchase on high wattage & colour certification alone.
I would’ve liked to have seen the main cap a 105 deg. rated Nippon Chemi-con instead of 85 but that makes little to no difference.