Testing (cont’d)

Testing — Efficiency

 

The overall efficiency of a power supply is important – the less waste heat generated the better!  Efficiency is defined by the power output divided by the power input and is usually expressed as a percentage.  If a PSU were a 100% efficient (which none are) 400 watts of AC power going in would result in 400 watts of DC power coming out (with no waste heat to dissipate).  In the real world there are always inefficiencies and power is lost in the form of heat during the conversion process.

 

Antec Neo HE 500 High Efficiency Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 32

 

The latest revisions to the ATX12V Power Supply Design Guide V 2.2 have continued to increase the efficiency recommendations for PC switching mode power supplies.  And the latest revision (Ver 2.2) now lists both required and recommended minimum efficiencies.

 

Antec Neo HE 500 High Efficiency Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 33

 

 

I measured the AC power input to the Neo HE 500 with the WattsUp? Pro watt meter and calculated the combined DC power output by summing the products of all the DC outputs (volts x amps) for five different DC loads.

 

Antec Neo HE 500 High Efficiency Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 34

 

The overall efficiency of the Antec Neo HE 500 power supply was very good, and actually exceeded the new ATX design recommendation of 80% under a typical load, but didn’t quite meet Antec’s claim of 85%. 

 

Antec Neo HE 500 High Efficiency Power Supply Review - Cases and Cooling 35

 

The 80 Plus Computer Power Supply Program

 

There is a growing awareness among users, PC manufacturers and electric utilities regarding the money and natural resources that could be saved by adopting higher efficiency power supplies.  One group that is spearheading this new movement is Ecos Consulting.  You can learn more about their efforts to promote power supplies with better than 80% efficiency by visiting the 80 Plus Program website.

 

Spending a little more money up front to purchase a high efficiency power supply may very well pay for itself over the lifetime of the PC… 🙂

 

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