Transient 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 that shares a lot of the behind the scenes of the program. 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 will continue with our Transient Testing.
Transient Test 1
Loaded/Unloaded
12v/5v
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 before the addition of the transient load. The results of Test #1 show a ~380mV drop on the 12v rail and ~45mV drop on the 5v rail when each is directly loaded. At the same time that the load was being triggered on the 12v rail, the 5v rail measured a ~40mV drop.
Transient Test 2
Loaded/Unloaded
12v/5v
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 before the addition of the transient load. The results of Test #2 show a ~380mV drop on the 12v rail and ~40mV drop on the 5v rail when each is directly loaded. At the same time that the load was being triggered on the 12v rail, the 5v rail measured a ~40mV drop.
Transient Load Testing Summary
The Transient Load Tests results for the Cougar BXM 700 are passing and a little mixed. In today’s testing, the BXM 700 saw the loaded 12v rail post a peak change of ~380mV, and the loaded 5v rail post a peak change of ~45mV. The unloaded 5v peak change during the 12v load was ~40mV. Those numbers are, in an absolute sense, passing and excellent for the 5v rail! The 12v rail, however, was a little less than good and that is how we end up with that “a little mixed” rating up above. Now, we do not have another 700W ATX12/EPS unit to compare this one too; only SFX units. However, it is safe to say that, based on what we have seen over the years, that these 5v values would be more than competitive with excellent 700W units without a doubt. The 12v values would be less so. However, this is a more mainstream/value-oriented offering which makes that a bit more forgivable. So, let’s move on now to see how this unit does in the DC Output Quality aspect of our testing!