Antec EarthWatts Platinum 650 W Power Supply Review

Overload Tests

Voltages at the power supply outputs must be as “clean” as possible, with no noise or oscillation (also known as “ripple”). The maximum ripple and noise levels allowed are 120 mV for +12 V and -12 V outputs, and 50 mV for +5 V, +3.3 V and +5VSB outputs. All values are peak-to-peak figures. We consider a power supply as being top-notch if it can produce half or less of the maximum allowed ripple and noise levels.

The Antec EarthWatts Platinum 650 W provided very low ripple and noise levels, as you can see in the table below. Noise level at -12 V was a little high, but still inside the specifications.

	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	17.2 mV	16.4 mV	20.2 mV	24.6 mV	30.6 mV
+12VB	22.0 mV	21.8 mV	27.6 mV	32.8 mV	42.4 mV
+5 V	13.2 mV	13.8 mV	15.6 mV	18.4 mV	22.2 mV
+3.3 V	12.4 mV	14.8 mV	19.6 mV	20.2 mV	23.2 mV
+5VSB	9.8 mV	9.8 mV	11.6 mV	12.6 mV	15.2 mV
-12 V	49.8 mV	35.6 mV	55.6 mV	60.2 mV	70.2 mV

Below you can see the waveforms of the outputs during test five.

Figure 19: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 646.6 W (30.6 mV)

Figure 20: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 646.6 W (22.2 mV)

Figure 21: +5V rail during test five at 646.6 W (22.2 mV)

Figure 22: +3.3 V rail during test five at 646.6 W (23.2 mV)

Let’s see if we can pull more than 650 W from this unit.