Efficiency, Differential Temperature and Noise
EfficiencyThe overall efficiency of a power supply is very 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) 600 watts of AC power going in would result in 600 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 now lists both required and recommended minimum efficiencies.
I measured the AC power input to the SilverStone OP1000-E 1000W PSU with the Extech power analyzer while the total DC load was found by adding all the individual +3.3V, +5V, +12V, -12V and +5VSB loads together.
(click to enlarge)
The overall efficiency of the OP1000-E power supply is very good. The efficiency appears to peak around 500W and remains consistently over 80% through most of the curve.
Differential Temperature and Noise Levels
To simulate real world operation the SilverStone OP1000-E 1000W power supply was mounted in a modified mid tower case (Lian Li PC60) during testing. Some of the warm exhaust air from the PSU under test is recirculated back into the case, which allows the internal case air temperature to increase with load, just like it would in a real PC. The internal case air temperature is allowed to increase up to 40ºC and then held constant from then on at 40ºC.
The differential temperature across the power supply was calculated by subtracting the internal case air temperature (T in) from the temperature of the warm exhaust air flowing out the back of the power supply (T out).
Thermocouples were placed at the air inlet and exhaust outlet. The ambient room air temperature was 20ºC (68ºF) +/- 0.5ºC during testing.
T out = temperature of air exhausting from power supply
T in = temperature of air entering power supply
Delta T = T out – T in
Sound pressure level readings were taken 3’ away from the rear of the case in an otherwise quiet room. The ambient noise level was ~28 dBA.
Below 500W output and 30°C inlet air temperature, the OP1000-E 1000W PSU is very quiet. Temperatures continue to build as the load increases and above 500W, the cooling fan finally starts to speed up to where it becomes noticeable but not loud. Overall, the OP1000-E is very quiet for a 1,000 watt PSU, however it runs relatively warm as a consequence. Note: I was not able to take SPL readings at the higher loads due to all the programmable DC load cooling fans running.
