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 Cougar BXM 700 at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 184W 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 good shape at a value of 86.09% at 120v AC input and 84.51% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is 48C at 120v AC input and 49C at 100V AC input.
Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the Cougar BXM 700 at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 324W 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 all of the DC output voltages drop relative to what we saw with Test #1. The largest changes are up to a 0.07v decrease on the 12v rail followed by a 0.01v drop on the 5v and 3.3v rails. The efficiency has moved up to 88.58% at 120v AC input and 87.15% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 50C at 120v AC input and 52C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of Cougar BXM 700 at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 484W 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 0.02v each. The 12v rail has dropped by up to 0.03v. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 87.91% at 120v AC input and 86.19% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 55C at 120v AC input and 58C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the Cougar BXM 700 at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 693W 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 drop by up to 0.06v. The minor rails, however, see a small decrease of 0.01v on the 3.3v rail and a larger change of 0.08v on the 5v rail. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 85.01% at 120v AC input and 82.87% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 58C at 120v AC input and 62C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the Cougar BXM 700 at 45C full load. This makes the Torture Test equal to 569W by loading the 12v rail to 42a, the 5v rail to 7a, the 3.3v rail to 5a, the +5vsb to 6a, and the -12v to 0.3a. At the end of the Torture Test, the BXM 700 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 86.23% and the exhaust temperature is 67C.
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the BXM 700 posts efficiency values of 84.66%-89.01%-85.07% efficient using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit right in the 80 Plus Bronze standards. However, we do use different equipment than 80 Plus for our testing and there is always a bit of component variation.
Load Testing Summary
The Cougar BXM 700 did a good job in our load testing today. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the BXM 700 had peak changes of 0.16v on the 12v rail, 0.11v on the 5v rail, and 0.04v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are easily in the specification and good overall. In a relative sense, it is a bit harder to say as the only other 700w units we have seen have been SFX models (1,2) and those units are at a significant disadvantage due to their formfactor. When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the BXM 700 ranged from 85.01% to 88.58% efficient at 120v AC input and 82.87% to 87.15% efficient at 100v AC input. On the 80 Plus tests, this unit saw efficiency values of 84.66%-89.01%-85.07% easily making its claimed 80 Plus Bronze efficiency levels. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 58C at 120v AC input, 62C at 100v AC input, and 66C during the Torture Test. With good to very good starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.