Who makes the most efficent PSUs?

[imported_goku]

Who?

 

[crockman]

I'm interested in that also.

 

[biostud]

Seasonic S-12 series
Antec phantom
Fortron FSP 300W (fanless)

 

[Geomagick]

I don't know, but the efficiency of the PSU is partially down to the user as well.
As all PSU's are made with different components they all end up having a Power Factor sweetspot.
I would be inclined to say that one of the passively cooled ones from Antec or the like would be pretty efficient.

 

[crockman]

What's the advantage of the efficiency anyway.

Lower Electric Bills ? The difference can't be all-that much, is it ???

Less Heat is probably one Advantage, no ?

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: crockman
What's the advantage of the efficiency anyway.

Lower Electric Bills ? The difference can't be all-that much, is it ???

Less Heat is probably one Advantage, no ?

less heat -> less cooling -> less noise (if designed properly)

if you run 24/7 going from 65% efficiency to +80% will easily save you the extra costs of a good PSU.

I don't know, but the efficiency of the PSU is partially down to the user as well.
As all PSU's are made with different components they all end up having a Power Factor sweetspot.
I would be inclined to say that one of the passively cooled ones from Antec or the like would be pretty efficient.

The one's I've listed all have +80% efficiency, the seasonics are in the +80% programme (+80% efficiency @ 25%, 50% and 100% load) don't know about the others.

 

[crockman]

The one's I've listed all have +80% efficiency, the seasonics are in the +80% programme (+80% efficiency @ 25%, 50% and 100% load) don't know about the others.

Those 3 that you list, what kind of Price are we talking ?

I just bought an Ultra 500watt Modular for $15. I've heard opinions, both good & bad on those Ultras', but for only $15 ???

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: crockman

The one's I've listed all have +80% efficiency, the seasonics are in the +80% programme (+80% efficiency @ 25%, 50% and 100% load) don't know about the others.

Those 3 that you list, what kind of Price are we talking ?

I just bought an Ultra 500watt Modular for $15. I've heard opinions, both good & bad on those Ultras', but for only $15 ???

You get what you pay for. For that price the 500W must be peak power, unless you had some sort of rebate. Personally I've just ordered a Seasonic S-12 600W the normal price is around $160, AFAIK. Lower wattages are cheaper.

 

[crockman]

You get what you pay for. For that price the 500W must be peak power, unless you had some sort of rebate.

A Mail-in-Rebate, which isn't that big of a deal, as long as you get the Rebate.

I bought it from Outpost.com, original price $64.99 w/ a $50 MIR. Modular Design for More Airflow, 34Amps on one 12v rail, & a Lifetime Warranty.

As for the Ultras' Efficiency, Don't know, but for just $15, I just hope it isn't Real-Bad.

 

[ElTorrente]

I would think, and I may be wrong (just a guess), that having more power than necessary would be more beneficial- from efficiency sake.

A 600W PSU wouldn't work nearly as hard as a 400W PSU to give a steady 350W of power. So, even though both PSUs may be considered good quality, the 600W would be more efficient because it isn't working as hard. It just seems like the 600W wouldn't be nearly as hot- and thus wasting more electricity- because it wasn't working as hard.

 

[StrangerGuy]

Originally posted by: ElTorrente
I would think, and I may be wrong (just a guess), that having more power than necessary would be more beneficial- from efficiency sake.

A 600W PSU wouldn't work nearly as hard as a 400W PSU to give a steady 350W of power. So, even though both PSUs may be considered good quality, the 600W would be more efficient because it isn't working as hard. It just seems like the 600W wouldn't be nearly as hot- and thus wasting more electricity- because it wasn't working as hard.

Disagreed. Your whole "600W wasn't working as hard" is bunk. Pair a 300W load with a 300W PSU, and then with a 600W PSU and you will find that the 300W PSU is more efficient since PSUs are the most efficient during or near a full load.

 

[Maluno]

Originally posted by: StrangerGuy

Originally posted by: ElTorrente
I would think, and I may be wrong (just a guess), that having more power than necessary would be more beneficial- from efficiency sake.

A 600W PSU wouldn't work nearly as hard as a 400W PSU to give a steady 350W of power. So, even though both PSUs may be considered good quality, the 600W would be more efficient because it isn't working as hard. It just seems like the 600W wouldn't be nearly as hot- and thus wasting more electricity- because it wasn't working as hard.

Disagreed. Your whole "600W wasn't working as hard" is bunk. Pair a 300W load with a 300W PSU, and then with a 600W PSU and you will find that the 300W PSU is more efficient since PSUs are the most efficient during or near a full load.

Agreed. You have to compare the efficiency ratings at different load percentages.

 

[Allio]

From what I saw when shopping around for a new PSU, Seasonic is generally regarded as the most efficient, with perhaps Enermax and PCP&C coming after that.

 

[Insomniak]

Seasonic and Antec's NEW line (NeoPower, Phantom, etc.)

 

[Mik3y]

PCP&C has 85% efficiency, but they heft a pretty penny.

 

[V00D00]

When a power supply changes the voltage from AC to DC it has to switch back and forth really quickly. The precision of this switching is the main factor in efficiency.

All the excess power that is wasted during this process is converted to heat. Also higher efficiency equates to less power being wasted (converting to heat) so then yes, you are saving energy and your bills will be ever-so-slightly lower.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: Mik3y
PCP&C has 85% efficiency, but they heft a pretty penny.

no they don't, atleast not all models and not at all load range.

 

[feelingshorter]

coolermaster acly, and the zippy/emac server class of PSUs, a 350 zippy emac will power any system just fine. Forton is also good. I dont see why ANYONE should be paying 150+ for a PSU! Thats crazy.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: George Powell
I don't know, but the efficiency of the PSU is partially down to the user as well.
As all PSU's are made with different components they all end up having a Power Factor sweetspot.
I would be inclined to say that one of the passively cooled ones from Antec or the like would be pretty efficient.

BINGO!! *Power Factor Sweet Spot*.

Only because I'm obsessive/compulsive. Over the last two weeks at least an hour a day has been spent researching parts for sister's PC build. Looking into PSUs has been a part of the deal. Most, not all, PSUs are at their most efficient at about 40-60% of the rated output.

This is not aimed at biostud. When Seasonic says at Newegg's listing, up to 80% efficiency,
that *up to* is the sweet spot. The S-12 600 has a quiet 120mm fan and 18A, 12Vx2 rails.
($159)

The Zippy is listed as averaging 70% efficientcy, has a most likely noisyer 80mm fan and has 12V1 @ 26A & 12V2 @ 20A. Most everything else between these two is the same afaik.($187)
A high output unit is not for everyone, only those that operate in the sweet spot and need the head room. The vast majority of comps do quite well with a *good* 350watt PSU and
plod along all day long in the most efficient 40-60% sweet spot of loading.
I'm only putting the FSP Fortron 400watt in her build because its on hand, i got it. If I were to buy one it would be a *good* 300-350watt PSU as it would only be loaded 40-60% anyway.


GY

 

[orangat]

Would PFC help with cost savings as well? I bought seasonics because they seem to more high end. I would've gone Fortron if I wanted something good and cheap with no PFC.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

This is not aimed at biostud. When Seasonic says at Newegg's listing, up to 80% efficiency,
that *up to* is the sweet spot. The S-12 600 has a quiet 120mm fan and 18A, 12Vx2 rails.
($159)

maybe, but seasonic still have +80% efficiency
the SS-500HT and SS-600HT are the OEM versions of S-12 500 and 600

http://www.80plus.org/suppliers.html

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: feelingshorter
coolermaster acly, and the zippy/emac server class of PSUs, a 350 zippy emac will power any system just fine. Forton is also good. I dont see why ANYONE should be paying 150+ for a PSU! Thats crazy.

Suit yourself. Better to spend $150 or so up front than risk losing much more $ worth of equipment and lost productivity down the road when your $25 special goes t!ts-up which is pretty common. Just look around the boards here...

I recommend PC P&C units and they are the only power supplies I use in my personal rigs. Wouldn't use anything else.

 

[orangat]

Originally posted by: biostud

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
This is not aimed at biostud. When Seasonic says at Newegg's listing, up to 80% efficiency,
that *up to* is the sweet spot. The S-12 600 has a quiet 120mm fan and 18A, 12Vx2 rails.
($159)

maybe, but seasonic still have +80% efficiency
the SS-500HT and SS-600HT are the OEM versions of S-12 500 and 600
http://www.80plus.org/suppliers.html

Great link. Seasonics are awesome.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: orangat

Originally posted by: biostud

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee
This is not aimed at biostud. When Seasonic says at Newegg's listing, up to 80% efficiency,
that *up to* is the sweet spot. The S-12 600 has a quiet 120mm fan and 18A, 12Vx2 rails.
($159)

maybe, but seasonic still have +80% efficiency
the SS-500HT and SS-600HT are the OEM versions of S-12 500 and 600
http://www.80plus.org/suppliers.html

Great link. Seasonics are awesome.

Thanks for the link biostud, its bookmarked. The Seasonics test very well indeed.

Looking at the graphs of all the PSUs tested shows the sweet spot right at 40-60%.
From what I have seen in my plodding around the web some units do very well at mid-load but fall to a low 60% efficientcy at the top and bottom of their loading.


GY

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: GalvanizedYankee

Thanks for the link biostud, its bookmarked. The Seasonics test very well indeed.

Looking at the graphs of all the PSUs tested shows the sweet spot right at 40-60%.
From what I have seen in my plodding around the web some units do very well at mid-load but fall to a low 60% efficientcy at the top and bottom of their loading.


GY

The only thing is am pretty sure other PSU's fare well also but haven't applied for the 80+