Review: 600-700W PSU Shootout

by Ryszard Sommefeldt on 18 August 2006, 14:32

Tags: Epsilon 600W , HX620W, GameXStream 700W, Cooler Master, OCZ (NASDAQ:OCZ), Corsair, Tagan, FSP Group (TPE:3015), Seasonic

Quick Link: HEXUS.net/qagll

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Test Results

Like in the 400W-500W roundup, we calculate output power and efficiency based on the pass or fail settings the PSU made it to during torture testing. The results are as follows.

Please note that the original published version of this article calculated effiency using ideal output power, not actual. The table has been updated to reflect that fact and any article text updated accordingly. Please be aware that the change in efficiency figures in no way affect our conclusions as originally published

Readings under load Power & efficiency
PSU +12V1 +12V2 +12V3 +12V4 +5V +3.3V -12V +5VSB Input power Ideal output Actual output Original Incorrect Efficiency Corrected Efficiency
Coolermaster iGreen Power 600W Voltage 12.005 12.0125 12.1625 4.6675 2.8675 -12.275 4.8475 747.4W 613.4W 601.10W 82.1% 80.43%
Current 16 14 8 18 18 0.25 1
FSP Epsilon 600W Voltage 11.82 11.827 11.877 11.917 4.82 3.05 -12.467 4.9775 731.8W 610.7W 600.78W 83.5% 82.1%
Current 11 11 11 11 9 9 0.25 1
Corsair HX620W Voltage 11.7775 11.79 11.835 4.725 3.0525 -12.4675 4.8525 756.4W 636.9W 621.21 83.5% 82.1%
Current 15 14 14 14 13 0.25 1
Seasonic S12 Energy+ 650W Voltage 11.765 11.85 11.8925 11.9225 4.83 3.1375 -12.4125 4.88 784W 662W 651.99 84.4% 83.2%
Current 12 12 12 12 9 10 0.25 1
FSP Epsilon 700W Voltage 11.7725 11.82 11.81 11.875 4.795 3.0025 -12.49 4.9525 886W 721.6W 706.66 81.4% 79.8%
Current 13 13 13 13 10 12 0.25 1
OCZ GameXStream 700W Voltage 11.73 11.77 11.7775 11.825 4.77 3.025 -12.345 4.9625 807W (870W) 718.3W 701.36 89.0% 86.9% (80.62%)
Current 13 13 13 13 10 11 0.25 1
Tagan Dual Engine 700W Voltage 11.51 11.65 11.59 11.625 4.825 3.065 -12.465 4.8825 873.7W 726.6W 700.73 83.2% 80.2%
Current 13 13 13 13 11 12 0.25 1

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Every PSU passed testing at its rated output power without fuss or bother, showing that every tested unit is one you could have confidence in, performance wise.
Indeed, all bar the Tagan posted efficiencies of over 80% at max load, with rail numbers as solid as you like. Just the OCZ did that touch better than the rest. Be aware that not all load conditions are equal, mostly down to how the PSUs are configured internally, but that it doesn't skew the ratings enough for us to care, especially in this case when they're all so good. We test like we do to root out the stinkers, and all did nicely, making the number on the box with nary a care.

Temperature Testing

PSUAmbient (°C)PSU idle (°C)PSU after load testing (°C)Calculated Delta (°C) (load - idle)
Coolermaster iGreen Power 600W2222319
FSP Epsilon 600W2222286
Corsair HX620W20.520.5309.5
Seasonic S12 Energy+ 650W222228.56.5
FSP Epsilon 700W3030388
OCZ GameXStream 700W30.531.5386.5
Tagan Dual Engine 700W2222319

Those in orange were tested on a different day, before the others, with much higher ambient temperature in the testing room. Bear that in mind when taking in the results.

Each PSU deviates by between 6 and 9.5°C over ambient, indicating they all cool themselves fine under maximum load. Note that temperature testing is done out on the bench, free of a chassis, which is where we'd expect the Tagan to do a bit better, comparatively speaking, than the rest. It's fan arrangement is best for a high-output supply, we reckon, compared to the other 120mm fan models.

None of the tested supplies gets overly warm under load (compared to their idle temperature), though, with the Seasonic, OCZ GameXStream and FSP 600W doing best of all.