Final Thoughts and Conclusions

It became clear earlier this year when we reviewed the Dark Power Pro 10 850W PSU, that Be Quiet! knows how to build and sell high-end professional grade power supplies. The question at hand now is; can they build and market an entry level power supply for the budget-minded consumer without significantly compromising performance and reliability?  Based on our testing, the answer appears to be yes!

The Pure Power L8 700W PSU doesn’t incorporate the same sophisticated circuit topology of the Dark Power Pro 10 series, which results in lower efficiency (Bronze status instead of Platinum) but saves money. The Pure Power L8 uses a 120mm SilentWings fan instead of the 135mm high-tech version used in the Dark Power Pro 10, but it still runs extremely quiet at low to mid power levels. And while the Dark Power Pro comes with modular cables and a 5-year warranty the Pure Power L8 comes with fixed cables and a 3-year warranty.

The Pure Power L8 700W PSU may be targeted towards value conscious consumers but it still delivers excellent voltage regulation on all of the DC outputs. On the down side, the Pure Power L8 exhibited significantly higher levels of AC ripple than the Dark Power Pro (but still well within the recommended guidelines). Bottom line, the Pure Power L8 700W PSU appears to have met Be Quiet!’s goals and should start selling for under $100 USD later this month.

The MSRP for the Pure Power L8 700W power supply is $99 USD and will start to be available in North America by the end of September 2013. Be Quiet! informed us one of the first online retailers to carry the Pure Power L8 700W PSU will be www.ncix.com .

Strengths:
• Excellent voltage regulation
• Virtually silent operation up to mid power levels
• Good efficiency across a broad range of loads (80Plus Bronze certified)
• Combined +12V outputs can deliver up to 53A (636W)
• Four PCI-E connectors (6/8-pin)
• Meets Energy Star 5.2 Guidelines
• Fulfills ErP 2013 Guidelines
• Ready for Intel Haswell platform
• Active PFC with universal AC input
• Fully sleeved cables

Weaknesses:
• AC ripple on DC outputs a little higher than we would like to see
• 3-Year warranty

Be Quiet! Pure Power L8 700W Power Supply

Our thanks to Be Quiet! for sending us the Pure Power L8 700W PSU to review.

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