NZXT HALE82 N 650 W Power Supply Review

Ripple and Noise 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 NZXT HALE82 N 650 W provided ripple and noise levels outside the specifications, which can cause problems on your computer. See the results in the table below. We marked in red the values that were outside the allowed range. Investigating this problem further, we discovered that when the power supply was “cold,” values were inside the proper range. But as the power supply heated up, noise and ripple levels started increasing very fast. This problem started occurring when the ambient temperature surpassed 35° C. Since we test power supplies between 45° C and 50° C, we have to consider this unit as having failed our tests. We requested a second sample from NZXT, and the results were absolutely the same, meaning that this problem is definitely a design flaw. NZXT told us that they only guarantee the correct functioning of this power supply up to 35° C, which matches our findings.

Input	Test 1	Test 2	Test 3	Test 4	Test 5
+12VA	21.0 mV	25.4 mV	35.8 mV	44.4 mV	79.6 mV
+12VB	20.8 mV	23.6 mV	34.2 mV	41.6 mV	82.4 mV
+5 V	19.8 mV	24.6 mV	38.6 mV	52.4 mV	71.8 mV
+3.3 V	16.4 mV	16.6 mV	215.0 mV	342.4 mV	494.6 mV
+5VSB	10.8 mV	14.8 mV	18.2 mV	25.8 mV	26.0 mV
-12 V	36.6 mV	45.6 mV	55.4 mV	68.4 mV	82.4 mV

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

Figure 17: +12VA input from load tester during test five at 652.4 W (79.6 mV)

Figure 18: +12VB input from load tester during test five at 652.4 W (82.4 mV)

Figure 19: +5V rail during test five at 652.4 W (71.8 mV)

Figure 20: +3.3 V rail during test five at 652.4 W (494.6 mV)