power supply efficiency, simple questions i hope

[imported_taku]

Efficiency: 65% at full load, nominal line .. i saw this comment about efficiency on the MSI site under power supply descriptions. I have not studied electronics since 1965 and before. I seem to recall that the load on a power supply would have different ratings for differnt loads. Full load would be the worst.

So if MSI is claiming 65 %at full load then the normal load of 50 to 70 % should be better than the 65% full load.


It has been a long time since i thought about such things. hope some one that is tech minded can refresh my memory.

 

[Matthias99]

It depends on the PSU. Some have a pretty flat efficiency curve, and others vary considerably across the load range. It's not really something you can predict just by knowing the efficiency at one load level.

That said, they usually list the best possible efficiency, and if that's the case 65% is pretty hideous these days. The best PSUs are more like 80-85% efficient, even at pretty heavy loads.

 

[bwnv]

Actually THG did a test on some just this week Linky Efficiency seems to be at it's best @ full load, and drops off with a lighter load.

 

[imported_taku]

thanks . think you are saying, read , and find a power supply with decent efficiency ratings at my expected load.

makes semse to me.

The MSI comment on their own site kinda threw me.

 

[imported_taku]

thanks bwnv that linky site is extremely informative. Sorry cant spell worth a hoot.

 

[L00PY]

Meh.

I'd trust SPCR's numbers over THG. Slightly different conclusion there. More realistic efficiency numbers too.

 

[imported_taku]

thanks to all. very helpful. Maybe my antec Power supply isn't so bad. Assuming that the 400 antec would have about the same stats. as the 450 watter
Wil give it a few days and see how the antec 400 watt works.

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