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 FSP SFX PRO 450W at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 121W by loading the 12v rail to 8a, 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 12v rail. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in decent shape at a value of 83.43% at 120v AC input and 82.86% 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 FSP SFX PRO 450W at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 223W by loading the 12v rail to 16a, 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 0.07v drop on the 12v rail. The efficiency has moved up to 85.59% at 120v AC input and 84.29% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 51C at 120v AC input and 53C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of FSP SFX PRO 450W at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 328W by loading the 12v rail to 24a, the 5v rail to 5a, the 3.3v rail to 3a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #3 sees the 12v, 5v, and 3.3v rails drop by varying amounts. The 12v rail drops the most with a peak change of up to 0.07v while the 5v and 3.3v rails drop by 0.04v. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 84.81% at 120v AC input and 83.51% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 56C at 120v AC input and 59C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the FSP SFX PRO 450W at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 435W by loading the 12v rail to 34a, the 5v rail to 4a, the 3.3v rail to 2a, 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 3.3v rail, however, recovers a bit and moves up by 0.01v. The 5v rail stays even with Test #3. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 83.23% at 120v AC input and 81.82% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 59C at 120v AC input and 65C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the FSP SFX PRO 450W at 45C full load. This makes the Torture Test equal to 359W by loading the 12v rail to 26a, the 5v rail to 6a, the 3.3v rail to 4a, the +5vsb to 6a, and the -12v to 0.3a. At the end of the Torture Test, the SFX PRO 450W was still running. The DC output voltages are generally in line with what we have been seeing in the 120v load tests but the unit is laboring. The efficiency is ok as we see a value of 84.30% and the exhaust temperature is 70C!
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the FSP SFX PRO 450W posts efficiency values of 82.35%-85.63%-82.89% using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This means this unit meets the 80 Plus Bronze standards at every load tested. 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 FSP SFX PRO 450W passed our load testing today. However, from the get-go, it looked like there was no way this unit should pass as the nominal 12v values on our test unit were rather low. That did not stop the unit though and, in the end, it did pass. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the SFX PRO 450W had peak changes of 0.15v on the 12v rail, 0.07v on the 5v rail, and 0.07v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are in the specification and, given the constraints, we are looking at, good overall. The only other 450W unit we have seen to date was the Corsair CV450 and this unit was generally better than that unit in this part of our testing (even though the SFX PRO 450W was constrained by its form factor).
When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the SFX PRO 450W ranged from 83.23% to 85.59% efficient at 120v AC input and 81.82% to 84.29% efficient at 100v AC input. On the 80 Plus tests, this unit saw efficiency values of 82.53%-85.63%-82.89%. So, this unit also hit its claimed 80 Plus Bronze efficiency levels (which is not exactly a high bar these days). Lastly, the exhaust temperatures got kind of toasty as this unit peaked at 59C at 120v AC input, 65C at 100v AC input, and 70C during the Torture Test. With passing starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.