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 starts 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 Lian Li SP850 at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 220W by loading the 12v rail to 16a, 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 above nominal. The efficiency for this unit is starting off in excellent shape at a value of 90.21% at 120v AC input and 89.47% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is not yet recorded as the fan has not turned on.
Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the Lian Li SP850 at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 429W by loading the 12v rail to 32a, the 5v rail to 4a, the 3.3v rail to 3a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #2 sees across-the-board drops in DC output voltages relative to what we saw with Test #1. These changes are up to 0.07v decrease on the 12v rail while the 3.3v drops by 0.06v and the 5v rail drops by 0.05v. The efficiency has risen to 90.61% at 120v AC input and down to 89.85% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 53C at 100v AC input but the fan did not turn on in 120V AC test.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of Lian Li SP850 at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 631W by loading the 12v rail to 48a, the 5v rail to 6a, the 3.3v rail to 4a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #3 sees across the board declines again. The 5v and 3.3v rails have dropped by 0.06v. The 12v rail moves down by up to 0.06v over Test #2 values. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 88.81% at 120v AC input and 87.46% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 53C at 120v AC input and 55C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the Lian Li SP850 at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 842W by loading the 12v rail to 68a, the 5v rail to 2a, 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 0.07v. The minor rails, however, drop by 0.02v compared to Test #3 values. The efficiency has dropped, once more, as we see it come in at 87.31% at 120v AC input and 85.88% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 57C at 120v AC input and 60C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the Lian Li SP850 at 45C. This makes the Torture Test equal to 660W by loading the 12v rail to 50a, 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 SP850 is still doing fine. 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 88.17% and the exhaust temperature is 62C.
Load Testing Summary
Today, the Lian Li SP850 proved to be a good power supply in our initial load testing. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the SP850 had peak changes of 0.14v on the 12v rail, 0.13v on the 5v rail, and 0.14v on the 3.3v rail. As it were, the only other 850W SFX unit we have seen was the Cooler Master V850 SFX Gold WHITE Edition, and this unit ended mixed with that unit. The reason for this result is the rather loose 5v and 3.3v regulation. So, these absolute values are in the specification and this unit compares favorably with that other similar SFX unit we have seen so far in our testing.
When we look at the efficiency side of things, we see that the SP850 ranged from 87.31% to 90.61% efficient at 120v AC input and 85.88% to 89.85% efficient at 100v AC input which is very good to excellent. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 57C at 120v AC input, 60C at 100v AC input, and 62C during the Torture Test. With very good/excellent starting results in today’s testing, let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests.