Test Procedure
At eTeknix we take the power supply testing procedure very seriously. For all power supply reviews we used a variety of Chroma machines and other digital power machinery provided by Enermax in their European test labs. We would like to say a huge thank you to Enermax for making this power supply testing possible.
The test machinery included the following:
- A Chroma 6314A power supply load tester with two add on 6314 modules to support up to six 12 volt rails.
- A Chroma Digital Power Meter Model 66202
- A Custom-made Enermax PCB circuit board to connect all the appropriate power supply cables
- A Tektronix TDS 3014C Digital Phosphor Oscilloscope
- A Voltcraft DT-10L Laser Tachometer
The eTeknix test procedure involves:
- Testing each power supply at 20/40/60/80/100% load (with balanced load across all rails) and measuring PFC (power factor correction), efficiency (actual power divided by power “pulled at the wall”) and voltage regulation (deviance from expected voltages of 3.3/5/12).
- Measuring ripple and noise with an oscilloscope at 20/40/60/80/100% load.
- Measuring voltage regulation and ripple/noise at Maximum 12v loads and maximum 3.3/5v loads while keeping the -12v and 5vsb consistently at 0.1A and 1A on the rail(s) not being tested. For example under 12v crossload we would load the 12v rail to its maximum and place 0.1A on the -12v and 5vsb as well as 1A on the 3.3v and 5v rails.
- Measuring fan speed after a stabilisation period of five minutes at each load scenario using the Voltcraft DT-10L laser tachometer and a reflective strip on the fan.
Other things to consider are that
- We recognise that a single yellow 12 volt cable can provide only 6 Amps before overheating (which corrupts voltage regulation and efficiency) and so we used an adequate number of cables for each power supply.
- Our power supply tester was capable of only 50 Amps on the 12 volt 1 rail, 50 Amps on the 12 volt 2 rail and 25 Amps on rails 3-6. This meant that for single 12 volt power supplies with rail Amps above 50 we had to split them virtually over two rails to maximise their load. There are no power supplies that we tested that have more than 50 Amps over two rails so this was only an issue for single 12 volt rail power supplies.
- We use the same time scale and horizontal millivolt scale on our oscilloscope for all noise and ripple tests.
- Deviance is the terminology used to represent the way voltages diverge from their expected values.
If I’m not mistaken, this unit is based on the Seasonic S12ii which is an excellent PSU itself. It’s perfect for just about any rational build, or if you demand modular cables.
It never ceases to amaze me how people are willing to spend top dollar for gold/platinum rated PSU’s of high wattage they don’t need and this includes some of the so called tech savvy’s. Their ignorance = manufacturers profit.
That said, i use a Seasonic platinum 660w for my decidedly mid range gaming PC but that’s only because I didn’t have to shell out for it. If I did, I’d be more than happy with a high quality 400/450-500w 80+/80+ bronze certified PSU.
And that manufacturer profit = the reason you got given a free Seasonic Platinum 660W in the first place 😉
I was very… no, make that VERY lucky to get it. You have no idea what I had to go through to end up with it. I owe someone from my supplier a special lunch. (A small price to pay for that PSU). I hope you’re able to get a Seasonic Platinum in for testing soon, It’ll undoubtedly walk away with the EC award.
P.S. You can tell your supplier you were held up & robbed while on your way to returning the PSU then you’ll have one too. 🙂 Just kidding…
Ha well we’ve got a Corsair AX1200i sitting here to be reviewed (I think thats based on a Seasonic Platinum OEM design)…not 100% sure though. Seasonic don’t really deal with UK media AFAIK so I doubt we’ll ever review their stuff. You are very lucky though, the last PSU i put in my rig was only an Antec HCG-620, although i’ve managed to get an AX760i in there now.
I know Seasonic don’t deal with SA media at all so the samples we receive come through the distributors.
As for the AX 1200i, I remember seeing something about it being Flextronics but I’m not sure, I haven’t dealt with that unit but I do know the AX 760 & the AX 860 is Seasonic.
I wonder how many purchasers of the AX 1200i actually need such a powerful unit but I suspect the percentage to be in low single digits, not that Corsair will complain.
You don’t have many options when you want a high quality built, silent power supply that aren’t terribly overpriced.
I think it would be better it this was modular.
There are modular versions of XFX PSUs available, the reason this isn’t modular is because its a “CORE” series PSU meaning its the cheapest they can offer. Non-modular is always cheaper.
I have this PSU for a year at home.
I am happy with the reliable performance and has good power and great design.
On the other hand, the PSU is intended only for the new CPUs.
It is impossible to use for processors with a TDP of 95 watts and more.
This PSU is weak for use with Pentium D series and E / X series. + Multi-core Xeons.
With the new processor (such I3 3220 or i5 3750K) without a problem this PSU handle 2x dual graphics cards in crossfire.
Strange because we’ve tested it with a 130W 3960X without any issues, and used a GTX 780. And overclocked both. The PSU is not weak in any way.
So.. try 775 socket mobos, G41 chipset.
ive got my new system today with this PSU! it is so so so NOISY! without even push the computer!
disaster! tomorrow i will return for an other one. -3 days of joy!
After 12 years I still have this PSU in use. No problems.