Load Testing
For those of you who are curious as to some of the reasoning, equipment, and how our rating system works 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 VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #1 equal to 221W 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 91.78% at 120v AC input and 91.40% at 100v AC input. We see the exhaust temperature is coming in at 46C at 120v AC input and 47C at 100v AC input.
Test #2 is equal to approximately 50% of the rated capacity of the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #2 equal to 432W 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 results in the DC output voltages end up mixed relative to what we saw with Test #1. The largest change is a 0.02v drop on the 12v rail. However, certain connectors on the 12v rail also saw an increase of 0.01v and the 5v rail stayed even with Test #1. The efficiency has moved up to 93.58% at 120v AC input and 92.58% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 49C at 120v AC input and 50C at 100V AC input.
Test #3 is equal to approximately 75% of the rated capacity of VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #3 equal to 640W 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 the main DC output voltages drop once more. The 5v and 3.3v rails drop by 0.01v each. The 12v rail moves down by 0.02v or up by 0.01v depending on the connector. The efficiency in Test #3 moves down to 92.11% at 120v AC input and 90.80% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 51C at 120v AC input and 53C at 100V AC input.
Test #4 is equal to approximately 100% of the rated capacity of the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 at 45c. This makes Test #4 equal to 856W 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 move up by up to 0.02v depending on the connector. The minor rails also move up by 0.01v. The efficiency has dropped as we see it come in at 91.18% at 120v AC input and 89.72% at 100v AC input. We see an exhaust temperature of 54C at 120v AC input and 56C at 100V AC input.
Torture Test
The Torture Test is equal to approximately 80% of the rated capacity of the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 at 45C. This makes the Torture Test equal to 670W 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 unit 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 also seems to be doing well at 92.05% with an exhaust temperature of 58C.
80 Plus Load Testing Results
As we see here, the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 posts efficiency values of 90.70%-93.03%-90.30% efficient using 80 Plus’ load testing parameters. This puts the unit well above the minimum requirements for 80 Plus Gold standards and, in reality, put it into the 80 Plus Platinum standards (90%-92%-89%). 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 VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 did an excellent job in our initial load testing. When we look at the voltage regulation, we see that the VERTEX GX-850 ATX 3.0 had peak changes of 0.04v on the 12v rail, 0.01v on the 5v rail, and 0.02v on the 3.3v rail. These absolute values are easily in the specification and outstanding overall. In relative terms, this unit was better than the Cooler Master XG PLUS 850 Platinum, Enermax REVOLUTION DF 850W, ASUS ROG THOR 850W, SilverStone DA850 Gold, and MSI A850GF. In fact, this is the best 850W power supply we have seen here at TheFPSReview to date in this regard!
When we look at the efficiency values posted today, this is where things go from excellent to outstanding again. The efficiency values ranged from 91.15% to 93.58% efficient at 120v AC input and 89.72% to 92.58% efficient at 100v AC input. Lastly, the exhaust temperature peaked at 54C at 120v AC input, 56C at 100v AC input, and 58C during the Torture Test. With, generally, good starting results in today’s testing let’s move on to the Transient Load Tests to see what this unit will do there!