Load Testing
For those of you that are curious as to some of the reasoning and equipment behind our PSU testing program here at TheFPSReview, we have put together an introduction for you. This program is based on what the author developed at [H]ardOCP and utilizes the equipment bequeathed to the author by Kyle Bennett. The testing we are conducting today is exactly as described in that document and start with our 120v, 100v, Torture, and 80 Plus Tests.
120v and 100v Load Testing Results
Test #1 is equal to approximately 25% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone SX700-PT at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 185W by loading the 12v rail to 13a, the 5v rail to 2a, the 3.3v rail to 1a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. The results of Test #1 show the main positive DC output rails starting above nominal. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in excellent shape at a value of 90.82% at 120v AC input and 89.93% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is 47C at 120v AC input and 48C at 100V AC input.
Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone SX700-PT at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 327W by loading the 12v rail to 24a, the 5v rail to 3a, the 3.3v rail to 2a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #2 sees drops in the DC output voltages relative to what we saw with Test #1. The largest changes are up to a 0.04v decrease on the 12v rail followed by a 0.02v drop on the 5v rail and a 0.01v drop on the 3.3v rail. The efficiency has moved up to 92.61% at 120v AC input and 90.81% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 48C at 120v AC input and 50C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of SilverStone SX700-PT at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 488W by loading the 12v rail to 36a, the 5v rail to 5a, the 3.3v rail to 4a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #3 sees the 5v and 3.3v rails drop by 0.04v and 0.01v respectively. The 12v rail has decreased by up to 0.05v. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 92.39% at 120v AC input and up to 91.18% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 52C at 120v AC input and 54C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone SX700-PT at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 697W by loading the 12v rail to 56a, the 5v rail to 1a, the 3.3v rail to 1a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. In the final regular test, we see the 12v rail move down by up to 0.08v. The minor rails, however, see a small decrease of 0.02v. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 91.55% at 120v AC input and 90.01% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 56C at 120v AC input and 59C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the SilverStone SX700-PT at 45C full load. This makes the Torture Test equal to 572W by loading the 12v rail to 42a, the 5v rail to 7a, the 3.3v rail to 5a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. At the end of the Torture Test, the SX700-PT is still doing well. The DC output voltages are generally in line with what we have been seeing in the 120v load tests. The efficiency is excellent as we see a value of 91.51% and the exhaust temperature is 61C.
Load Testing Summary
Much like the SilverStone SX700-G before it today, the SilverStone SX700-PT did a very good job in our initial load testing. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the SX700-PT had peak changes of 0.18v on the 12v rail, 0.06v on the 5v rail, and 0.04v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are easily in the specification and this unit is mixed in relation to the previous SX700-G we reviewed. However, this unit did do better in one metric that is probably not that surprising given the model name and the marketing surrounding it: the efficiency. When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the SX700-PT ranged from 90.82% to 92.61% efficient at 120v AC input and 89.93% to 91.18% efficient at 100v AC input. As this unit was not posted to the 80 Plus certification test database at the time of testing we do not have the 80 Plus numbers for it in this review. However, given what we have seen here today it seems likely that this unit would have no problem making its claimed 80 Plus values. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 56C at 120v AC input, 59C at 100v AC input, and 61C during the Torture Test. With very good starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.