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.
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.
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.
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%.
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… 🙂
Excellent PSU! Glad to see
Excellent PSU! Glad to see that it is still marketed. I have this PSU in a steel case ANTEC tower which was acting as a server. I have the MAIN SERVER tower and a newer case from your company, too. The first mentioned has an ancient but very well endowed ASUS board.
I would like to buy extra pluggable cables for the supply because I shall use it with a more advanced motherboard.
Also; please inform and let me know if (upon opening PSU) Voltages can be tweaked. (I’m electronics engineer so no problem with spoiling anything!
Thank you, Robin Marstrand.
I would also like the .PDF
I would also like the .PDF maintenance manual.
Thanks, Robin.
I have an issue with this PSU, maybe you can help.
I’m trying to jump start it without a computer. I connected the right pins (green and black).
The fan spins as soon as I turn it on, however, as soon as I connect it to any device the PSU turns off.
Thanks in advance.