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 PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 405W by loading the 12v rail to 30a, the 5v rail to 4a, the 3.3v rail to 2a, 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 88.7829% at 120v AC input and 87.14% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is 47C at 120v AC input and 49C at 100V AC input.
Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 806W by loading the 12v rail to 60a, the 5v rail to 9a, the 3.3v rail to 5a, 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 0.05v rise on the 12v rail followed by a 0.01v drop on the 5v and 3.3v rails. The efficiency has moved up to 88.48% at 120v AC input and 87.14% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 50C at 120v AC input and 53C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 1226W by loading the 12v rail to 90a, the 5v rail to 15a, the 3.3v rail to 10a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. Test #3 sees the 5v and 3.3v rails drop by up to 0.03v while the 12v rail moves by 0.12v. The efficiency in Test #3 moves up to 90.01% at 120v AC input and 87.56% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 52C at 120v AC input and 56C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 1626W by loading the 12v rail to 124a, the 5v rail to 13a, the 3.3v rail to 9a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. In the final regular test, we see the 12v rail we see drops that of up to 0.03v. The minor rails also drop by up to 0.03v. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 89.84% at 120v AC input and 87.66% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 60C at 120v AC input and 64C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 at 45C. This makes the Torture Test equal to 1286W by loading the 12v rail to 72a, the 5v rail to 11a, the 3.3v rail to 6a, the +5vsb to 2a, and the -12v to 0.3a. At the end of the Torture Test, the PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 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 89.95% and the exhaust temperature is 67C.
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the Seasonic PRIME PX-1600 ATX 3.0 posts efficiency values of 92.85%-94.34%-89.04% efficient using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit right in the 80 Platinum standards in all tests. 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 PRIME PX-1600 ATX 3.0 did a very good job in our initial load testing. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the PRIME PX-1600 ATX3.0 had peak changes of 0.15v on the 12v rail, 0.07v on the 5v rail, and 0.06v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are easily in the specification and very good overall. In relative terms, we have not seen any other 1600W units to date. However, if we look at the market position for this unit in general, and what we would expect to see, then it would seem that these results are better than what we would expect from similar products.
When we look at the efficiency values posted today, we see that the PRIME PX-1600 ATX 3.0 did an excellent job at 120v, however, the 100v results are kind of wonky. The efficiency values ranged from 88.29% to 90.01% efficient at 120v AC input and 87.14% to 87.66% efficient at 100v AC input. Yeah, the 100v results seem to bounce all over the small range that they exist in which is a bit unusual.
Also, this unit posted values in our 80 Plus Test that were within the 80 Plus Platinum level that it is certified for at all loads. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 60C at 120v AC input, 64C at 100v AC input, and 67C during the Torture Test. With these excellent starting results in today’s testing let’s move on to the DC Output Quality.