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So if i wanted the greatest possible power efficiency out of my computer...

dug777

dug777

Lifer
Rather than getting a big ass 500w as seems to be the norm today?

Or even with lower power stuff, picking up a decent shuttle psu with beefy rails...

Since, as i understand it, efficiency increases as the PSU loads up?

Asplain me 😉
 
Power supplies are generally most efficient at about 50-75% of their max load. Below that efficiency typically drops off sharply, and above that it drops off slightly. SilentPCReview has a very good power supply testing setup, not just with sound but also efficiency, power factor, etc. You might want to check out some of their PSU reviews for get a feel for power supply efficiency curve. 🙂

I wouldn't worry about it too much, though. Just don't get something ridiculously overpowered (i.e. a 600w for a single-core system w/integrated video) and you should be fine.
 
Power supplies are most efficient at around 75-80% of their output capability. Nothing works/runs better at 100%. For instance, which would you think would be able to make the drive from CA to NY? A Kia that's running in 5th gear, or a Rolls Royce that's in first gear, assuming both are traveling at 70 mph.
 
Originally posted by: myocardia
Power supplies are most efficient at around 75-80% of their output capability. Nothing works/runs better at 100%. For instance, which would you think would be able to make the drive from CA to NY? A Kia that's running in 5th gear, or a Rolls Royce that's in first gear, assuming both are traveling at 70 mph.
Click to expand...

Yeah, since the efficiency drops off at higher loads, and since that's just generally putting a lot of stress on the power supply and leaving you no overhead, your system would be much more efficient and stable if you bought a quality higher watt power supply.
 
And, on the upper end, PSU noise increases as you get closer to 100% output. I would imagine that one would not last as long at 100% load as it would at 65% load.
 
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