Efficiency, Differential Temperature and Noise
Efficiency
The 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) 750 watts of AC power going in would result in 750 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. Newer 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.
We measured the AC power input to the LEPA Gold 750W PSU with an Extech power analyzer while the total DC load was found by adding all the individual +3.3V, +5V, +12V, -12V and +5VSB loads together.
As expected, the overall efficiency of the LEPA G-750 power supply is very good and meets the criteria for 80Plus Gold certification, even while operating on 115 VAC and at elevated temperatures.
80 Plus Program
Note 1: Power Factor =0.90 (50% to 100% Load)
Note 2: Tests conducted at room temperature (25°C)
Differential Temperature and Noise Levels
To simulate real world operation, some of the warm exhaust air from the PSU under test is recirculated back to the intake through a passive air duct, which allows the PSU air inlet temperature to increase with load, just like it would in a real PC.
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 23ºC (74ºF) +/- 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 ~27 dBA.
*Operating in Low-Power-Fanless-Mode
The LEPA Gold 750W PSU uses a thermal speed control circuit that increases fan speed as the internal component temperatures heat up under load. The G-750 also features a Low-Load-Fanless-Mode, which allows for silent operation while the DC loads are less than or equal to 15%. During our testing the fan didn’t turn on until well into the 20% load test. At a 50% load the fan was still very quiet but ramped up as the load increased to the point where it was very noticeable at full load.
Note: I was not able to take SPL measurements at full load due to the background noise created by all the programmable DC load cooling fans running constantly. At the lower loads I am usually able to catch a moment when all the load fans have cycled off to take a SPL reading.
Seems like a very reasonably
Seems like a very reasonably priced contender in the 750W range of 80+ Gold PSUs. Have to say that because of this review I certainly would consider it as a replacement or upgrade [situation-pending]. & Thanks for the review.
The cooling is ridiculous
The cooling is ridiculous inside this one. The fan has to spin quite fast even at moderate load.
Add the fact that the fan itself is complete crap and you get one of the loudest PSU i’ve ever heard… It’s louder than an overclocked GTX570.
I’m really considering voiding my warranty just to change the fan and those cooling plates if the screws are accessible.
The screws ARE extremely
The screws ARE extremely easily accesable… to change the PSU fan, ALL you need to do is to unscrew 4 screws and take out the shroud… though, BE careful with that. Make pretty damn SURE you discharge the capacitors before you open up your unit. There’s deadly charge can that be hidden behind those two big primary capacitors.
Cant confirm that.
I have an
Cant confirm that.
I have an absolute silent machine (you cant tell if its on or off unless looking at the LEDs or monitor)
running watercooling with external fanless radiator, gtx670 with 3 92mm silent fans and MB controlled noiseblocker case fans 11dB, and i cant hear the psu fan.
I even unplugged all case fans and stopped the gpu fans manually and still nothing from the psu…
Of course running a cheaper/older case with top mounted psu (instead of bottom) and not enuf airflow in a cramped case would make any psu-fan turn up on rpm…