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 Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W 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 except for the 5v rail. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in excellent shape at a value of 90.49% at 120v AC input and 89.17% 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 Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 325W 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 a 0.03v decrease on the 5v and 3.3v rails followed by an up to 0.02v drop on the 12v rail. The efficiency has moved up, barely, to 90.50% at 120v AC input and 89.25% 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 Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 486W 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 12v, 5v, and 3.3v rails drop by 0.04v each. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 89.46% at 120v AC input and 87.52% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 51C at 120v AC input and 52C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 699W 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 0.04v. The minor rails, however, stay even with their Test #3 values. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 87.13% at 120v AC input and 85.18% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 53C at 120v AC input and 55C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W at 45C full load. This makes the Torture Test equal to 571W 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 Neo ECO Gold ZEN 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 88.49% and the exhaust temperature is 57C.
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W posts efficiency values of 89.49%-91.19%-86.72% using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit right on the cusp of the 80 Plus Gold standards (missing by 0.28% at 100% load). 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 Antec Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W did a good job in our load testing today. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W had peak changes of 0.1v on the 12v rail, 0.07v on the 5v rail, and 0.07v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are easily in the specification and good overall. In a relative sense, this unit was mixed with the Cougar BXM 700 we recently reviewed.
When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the Neo ECO Gold ZEN 700W ranged from 87.31% to 90.50% efficient at 120v AC input and 85.18% to 89.25% efficient at 100v AC input. On the 80 Plus tests, this unit saw efficiency values of 89.49%-91.19%-86.72% just missing its claimed 80 Plus Gold efficiency levels. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 53C at 120v AC input, 55C at 100v AC input, and 57C during the Torture Test. With good to very good starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.