Efficiency, Differential Temperature and Noise
Efficiency
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) 1000 watts of AC power going in would result in 1000 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 HX1000i 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.
The overall efficiency of the Corsair HX1000i power supply is excellent and easily meets the criteria for 80 Plus Platinum certification, even while operating on 115 VAC and at elevated temperatures; again, very good!
(Courtesy of Corsair)
80 Plus Program
Note: 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 ~28 dBA.
*Fan not rotating
The Corsair HX1000i PSU operated in silent, Zero RPM mode at low to mid power levels as advertised. Once the cooling fan did start to spin the noise was noticeable but not loud. At full load the cooling fan kicked into high speed and was noticeable.
(Courtesy of Corsair)
I was not able to take SPL measurements at the highest load due to the background noise created by all the programmable DC load cooling fans running. At the low to mid power test loads I am able to catch a moment when all the load fans have cycled off to take a SPL reading of just the PSU fan.
I love those reviews where
I love those reviews where the manufacturer is sending their own product directly. I used to be a prostitute before, sorry, journalist, and this is always the same song. One bad review, and you stop receiving samples. Period. Only real reviews would be if the reviewer spent the website money on this, to be relevant and 100% fair. Anything else is just an extension of a press release. But good job, you should get your RGB keyboards soon to play around with… And maybe they won’t ask the sample back… LOL. What a “life”.
(No subject)
This is yet another reason
This is yet another reason why I follow PCPer 🙂
Granted, that guy was a dick
Granted, that guy was a dick and didn’t deserve a serious response, but let’s be honest, this “review” was not a review, it was an advertisement. It did not contain a single sentence of criticism or personal opinion.
JonnyGURU’s review of the HX1000i:
http://www.jonnyguru.com/modules.php?name=NDReviews&op=Story&reid=394
“Corsair Link, seven year warranty, 80 Plus Platinum… we already know all this stuff.”
“Ok… I have to ask. Why on earth does this thing come with three Molex chains? Who is ever going to need twelve Molex connectors? Is it 2004 again? This unit could be better served by four SATA chains and two Molex ones. I’m going to deduct something off the score for this one, I think.”
“Hmm… once again, we find that Corsair Link is not able to give us entirely accurate results on either the minor rail loads, the power draw, or the power output. I expect we’ll find accuracy improving on those last two items as we go up in power, but it’s interesting to me that we now have seen two HXi units fail to keep proper tabs on the minor rail current draw. I’m not too put off by that, however, as you simply cannot get true accuracy on anything costing less than a small fortune.”
“Are these the best looking shots I’ve ever seen? No, they aren’t. There’s a small spike on the 5VSB rail at power up, while the 12V side of the unit seems like it takes a little time to come up to full power.”
“EVGA has been stomping all over everybody lately when it comes to value, and we find their P2 1kW unit sitting at thirty dollars cheaper than this one. Even Seasonic has a Platinum unit this size for cheaper, though only by ten bucks. In fact, there are only two units more expensive than this one, and not by a lot: the Antec HCP-1000 and Enermax Platimax 1kW. Both of them are ten dollars more than this one. Corsair, I think you need to get this price down some yet.”
This is what a review sounds like. Even on a really good unit like the HX1000i, there are always things to pick at. A good reviewer should always try to find these and mention them.
JonnyGURU gets free samples from Corsair as well, so what’s with this softball bullshit? If you’re going to be paid by Corsair to put up an overview of one of their products, that’s fine, just mark it as a sponsored article and don’t label it as a review.
+1
So true.
+1
So true.
What nonsense. I’ve seen a
What nonsense. I’ve seen a lot of reviews both here and on other pro-sites that were quite harsh.
PcPer, as always….great job!
What is the benefit of super
What is the benefit of super good voltage regulation? For instance the ax1500i had a voltage regulation of ±0.1%. How is that more beneficial in a real world sense than the hx1000i’s ±2%?
Thanks!
I wouldn’t allow anonymous
I wouldn’t allow anonymous comments.
— Anonymous
An almost Arc weld ready
An almost Arc weld ready power supply.
Thanks internet explorer!
Thanks internet explorer!
Yeah…..but does it
Yeah…..but does it blend?
I’d like to see some comment about what you don’t like.
This is common on JonnyGuru and HARDOCP reviews.
After the experience I had
After the experience I had with Corsair AX860i and their Corsair Link was noting more then a nightmare. No review will cover what I had to go through with their software and ASUS Software bundle that came with Maximus VII Hero motherboard, put it this way I’ll never purchase another Corsair or Asus Product again, and no I don’t care what kinda of rep they have.
PhoneyVirus
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