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) 550 watts of AC power going in would result in 550 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 Supernova 550W G3 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 EVGA 550W Supernova G3 power supply is excellent and meets the criteria for 80 Plus Gold certification, even while operating on 120VAC and at elevated temperatures.
80 Plus Program
Note: Tests conducted at room temperature (25°C)
Differential Temperature and Noise Levels
To simulate a demanding environment, 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, up to 40°C.
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.
Note: The EVGA 550 G3 power supply was tested with the ECO Thermal Control System switched On (enabling fan-less operation).
* Fan not spinning
With the ECO Intelligent Thermal Control System engaged the PSU was silent up to the 50% load mark. Once the cooling fan started to spin, the noise was still very quiet. At full load with an elevated ambient temperature, the G3 PSU cooling fan noise became noticeable but not really loud.
(Courtesy of EVGA)
Thank for the great power
Thank for the great power supply review Lee! I am using the G2 650w version in my rig right now, based on your review of it, and love it. So this new version just has different fan, and perhaps slightly better performance than the G2?
Mostly it’s just a smaller
Mostly it’s just a smaller chassis for the unit. No real gains otherwise.
Jonnyguru reviewed it 200
Jonnyguru reviewed it 200 years ago. And by review, I mean a proper one. Pcper late to the party with laughable tests, as usual. Stick with your nvidia sponsored Geforce “reviews”, thanks.
You obviously have no clue as
You obviously have no clue as to what testing methods that Lee uses, so I took the time to find the video where they go over his testing methods and setup:
https://youtu.be/2UnhzoRf4C4
go to about 50 min into the video where they go over Lee’s setup and methods.
Now as to the rest of your statement, I get it, we all know that the way PCPer presents content about AMD, Intel, and Nvidia tends to be biased one way or another, and I do agree with that part of it. But the claims you make about their PSU testing is false.
EVGA are well known for their
EVGA are well known for their PSU quality so i wasn’t expecting anything less from this G3 series . I personally own an 1000W P2 and it has been flawless since 2 years now.
The only thing that i would like to change are cables. In my opinion flat cables should be standard .
I have the 1500watt monster
I have the 1500watt monster they discontinued awhile ago bought when the 4960x dropped for my monster rig back in those days been absolutely flawless.
The plug is like a oven plug massive but can tell high Quality all around its got a nice 10 year warranty which is actually almost half way up.
Good to see they upgrading there PSU lines I’ll have to buy another 1500+ Beast when pcie 4 comes out and nvdimms gota make sure all my hardware has a plethora of room to breathe.
By all means post the specs
By all means post the specs of this hardware so we can see you love to buy way more PSU than required.
Asus Rive Be 4
intel 4960x
Asus Rive Be 4
intel 4960x oced 4.8 ghz
64 gb ddr 3 2400 mhz Corsair Dominator Platinum
EKG 360 AIO with 6 Noctua Industrial fans
4 8Tb Hdds Raid 5
2 Samsung 850 pro 250gb
1 Intel 910 800gb pcie ssd
2 Asus Titan X (Maxwell)
i also have it linked to my cyber power backup system software says its only drawing 410-440 watts which has to be a bug, but i got it so the rig gets clean power with pure sinewave 2.
suprisingly only thing i need to change out is the ssds as there not enough for my os drives, ill replace with pcie adapter and a 1Tb 960 pro for nvme.
Last 2 EVGA PSUs I got were
Last 2 EVGA PSUs I got were both DOA. Won’t buy them again. use Corsair for my builds now.
heard the horror storys of
heard the horror storys of the corsair psu’s causing shortages, must been there cheapo 650 watt mx line, heard there was a paticular series to avoid if your building HEDT systems, DOAS happen iv had 5 at one point, but Evga psu last like Tanks, this one hasnt skipped a beat in nearlt 4 years of harsh service, love this thing, cant wait till nvdimm/pcie 4 then ill upgrade, turn this beast to a server.
Is it properly wired for the
Is it properly wired for the 6 pin pcie (GPU)
That dam connector pcie configuration has one pin not connected or optional from maker . Most power supply maker use a 6+2 config and in this situation you got to make sure it’s doing the proper thing other wise it will rise the volt amp etc value too high and you GPU will have a tendency to be hot and be very often in protection mode . Often the optional used by maker are not properly maintained so it tend to go ride the pcie firmware instead of simplifying thing .If you can’t stay away from the GPU with 6 pin connector.most power supply vendor don’t bother and this is a huge issue causing trouble
Nice review. So, even 550W G3
Nice review. So, even 550W G3 can power crossfire/sli configuration. That is nice. But, I’ll rather hook up the second pcie to a nice sound card
We live in a world where
We live in a world where companies strike it rich on the gullibility of American market segment. They are all made in China, with just big words to lure you all fools in.
Unbranded PSU is the way to go! 🙂
I OC my 3.5ghz to 4.6ghz 🙂 the magic of some tender love, a mini-fridge where i keep my PC for cooling, and the unbranded PSU. Sometimes i plug my powercable directly into the wall and i get 5.5ghz OC 🙂