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 Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 171W by loading the 12v rail to 12a, 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 off mixed in regards to nominal. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in very good shape at a value of 88.78% at 120v AC input and 88.19% 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 Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 322W 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 results in the DC output voltages that drop relative to what we saw with Test #1. The largest changes are up to a 0.06v drop on the 12v rail followed by a 0.06v drop on the 5v rail and a 0.05v drop on the 3.3v rail. The efficiency has moved down to 88.24% at 120v AC input and 87.52% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 50C at 120v AC input and 51C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 482W 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 mixed results. The 5v and 3.3v rails bounce back up by 0.04v while the 12v rail drops by 0.02v. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 87.58% at 120v AC input and 86.32% 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 Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 644W by loading the 12v rail to 50a, the 5v rail to 5a, the 3.3v rail to 3a, 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 0.05v. The minor rails also drop by 0.05v on the 5v rail or 0.06v on the 3.3v rail. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 86.17% at 120v AC input and 84.70% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 54C at 120v AC input and 57C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 at 45C. This makes the Torture Test equal to 513W by loading the 12v rail to 38a, 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 FOCUS GM-650 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 very good as we see a value of 86.41% and the exhaust temperature is 60C.
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 posts efficiency values of 86.01%-89.94%-86.10% efficient using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit right under the 80 Gold standards in all tests by up to 0.99% in the 20% load test. 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 Seasonic FOCUS GM-650 did a very good job in our initial load testing. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the FOCUS GM-650 had peak changes of 0.12v 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 very good overall. In relative terms, it is a bit harder to say as we have not seen any other 650W units to date. However, if we look at the market position for this unit then it would seem that these results are better than what we would expect to see from similar products.
When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the FOCUS GM-650, strangely, may have hit its one stumbling block. The efficiency values ranged from 86.17% to 88.78% efficient at 120v AC input and 84.70% to 88.19% efficient at 100v AC input. Also, this unit posted values in our 80 Plus Test that were under the 80 Plus Gold level that it is certified for at all loads by up to 0.99%. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 54C at 120v AC input, 57C at 100v AC input, and 60C during the Torture Test. With, generally, very good starting results in today’s testing let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests to see what this unit will do there!