Load Tests
Contents
We conducted several tests with this power supply, as described in the ar
ticle Hardware Secrets Power Supply Test Methodology.
First we tested this power supply with five different load patterns, trying to pull around 20%, 40%, 60%, 80%, and 100% of its labeled maximum capacity (actual percentage used listed under “% Max Load”), watching how the reviewed unit behaved under each load. In the table below we list the load patterns we used and the results for each load.
If you add all the power listed for each test, you may find a different value than what is posted under “Total” below. Since each output can vary slightly (e.g., the +5 V output working at +5.10 V), the actual total amount of power being delivered is slightly different than the calculated value. On the “Total” row we are using the real amount of power being delivered, as measured by our load tester.
The +12VA and +12VB inputs listed below are the two +12 V independent inputs from our load tester. During our tests, +12VA was connected to the power supply +12V1 and +12V3 rails, while +12VB was connected to the power supply +12V2 rail.
| Input | Test 1 | Test 2 | Test 3 | Test 4 | Test 5 |
| +12VA | 4 A (48 W) | 9 A (108 W) | 13 A (156 W) | 17.5 A (210 W) | 19 A (228 W) |
| +12VB | 4 A (48 W) | 9 A (108 W) | 13 A (156 W) | 17.5 A (210 W) | 19 A (228 W) |
| +5V | 1 A (5 W) | 2 A (10 W) | 4 A (20 W) | 6 A (6 W) | 17 A (85 W) |
| +3.3 V | 1 A (3.3 W) | 2 A (6.6 W) | 4 A (13.2 W) | 6 A (19.8 W) | 16 A (52.8 W) |
| +5VSB | 1 A (5 W) | 1 A (5 W) | 1.5 A (7.5 W) | 2 A (10 W) | 3 A (15 W) |
| -12 V | 0.5 A (6 W) | 0.5 A (6 W) | 0.5 A (6 W) | 0.5 A (6 W) | 0.5 A (6 W) |
| Total | 114.8 W | 241.0 W | 352.1 W | 474.9 W | 600.2 W |
| % Max Load | 19.1% | 40.2% | 58.7% | 79.2% | 100.0% |
| Room Temp. | 44.9° C | 45.0° C | 46.0° C | 48.2° C | 46.8° C |
| PSU Temp. | 48.2° C | 48.1° C | 49.0° C | 50.5° C | 49.0° C |
| Voltage Regulation | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| Ripple and Noise | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| AC Power | 132.6 W | 277.2 W | 413.9 W | 572.8 W | 764.0 W |
| Efficiency | 86.6% | 86.9% | 85.1% | 82.9% | 78.6% |
| AC Voltage | 112.5 V | 110.4 V | 108.9 V | 108.6 V | 107.7 V |
| Power Factor | 0.982 | 0.993 | 0.996 | 0.996 | 0.997 |
| Final Result | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass | Pass |
During our full load test (test five) we faced a challenge. The IP-P600CQ3-2 wouldn’t turn on with the load we usually use for the full load tests with 600 W power supplies (22.5 A for the +12 V inputs and 8 A for the +5 V and +3.3 V inputs), so we had to readjust out load pattern for this test in order to keep the power supply working. Therefore, you will see that we had to reduce the current at +12 V and increase currents at +5 V and +3.3 V compared to other reviews of 600 W power supplies.
This problem isn’t necessarily bad: it shows that the over current protection (OCP) of this unit was configured to shut down the unit if we pulled more than 19 A from any +12 V rail. Since our load tester has only two independent +12 V inputs, we would need a load tester with four independent +12 V inputs to use the load pattern we usually use without activating the over current protection of the power supply.
Efficiency peaked 86.9% and was particularly high at the light load test (test one, 20% load), at 86.6%, since usually efficiency reaches its lowest point at light and full loads. At full load, however, efficiency drop below the 80% mark. This unit has the 80 Plus Bronze certification, meaning it should present at least 82% efficiency at full load. The problem is that Ecos Consulting, the company behind 80 Plus, tests power supplies at 23° C, while we test them at 45° C or more, and efficiency drops with temperature.
Voltages were always inside the allowed range, being inside 3% their nominal voltages during tests one, two and three (except -12 V output during test one, but this output was still within 5% of its nominal value), which is better than required, as the ATX12V specification allows 5% tolerance. During tests four and five, however, the outputs exist this tighter tolerance. While they were still within the 5% allowed margin, at full load the +3.3 V output touched its lower limit (3.13 V).
Noise and ripple levels were always extremely low, around half of their maximum allowed values during test five. Below you can see the results for the power supply outputs during test number five. The maximum allowed is 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.
Figure 20: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 600.2 W (59.2 mV)
Figure 21: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 600.2 W (58.6 mV)
Figure 22: +5V rail during test five at 600.2 W (26.2 mV)
Figure 23: +3.3 V rail during test five at 600.2 W (26.6 mV)
Let’s see if we can pull even more from the IN WIN Power Man IP-P600CQ3-2.
