|
Statistics
Visitors: 942166
Advertisement
Notebook Computers
For the best deals on laptop computers visit www.Geeks.com.
|
|
Written by Mikhail Ivanenkov
|
|
Monday, 18 June 2007 |
|
Page 3 of 3
The main test system (shown above) is comprised of the following:
- Intel Pentium 4 2.4C
- Abit IS7-E i865-PE
- 1GB (2 x 512MB) Kingston PC3200 UL HyperX
- Hercules GeForce3
- Onboard audio and LAN
- Maxtor DiamondMax 9 Plus 160GB HDD
- Creative 32X CD-ROM
- Antec Phantom 350watt PSU
Additionally, I put together a case with a few extra components that may be found in a computer enthusiast's system including lights, fans, and extra drives. Mostly this was done to increase the load on the power supply. The contents are:
- 3x SVC 80mm UV LED fans (mid-output)
- 2x iCute 80mm LED fans (low-output)
- 2x 60mm Papst fans (high-output)
- 2x 12" cathodes
- 1x Laser LED kit
- 3x hard drives - Seagate 3GB, Quantum 3GB, IBM 60GB (powered-only)
- 32x Creative CD-ROM (powered-only)
This secondary setup adds about 60 watts to the total. I tested the S12 in both idle and load states. Idle was just letting the system sit for an hour. Load was achieved by running Prime95's second Torture Test (maximum load, maximum heat output) for an hour. Averages were taken via Motherboard Monitor 5 (measurements taken every 5 seconds for an hour - a total of about 720 readouts).
Idle:
On idle the 3.3V line averaged 3.17V (about 4% off), the 5V line averaged 4.95V (only 1% off), and the 12V line averaged 11.73V (2.25% off). Overall very stable rails. For reference, idle power consumption was 125 watts. Granted the video card on the system is low end, but even with a high end card you won't be getting more than 100 extra watts, so 430 watts total is more than sufficient.
Load:
On load the 3.3V line averaged 3.17V (about 4.2% off), the 5V line averaged 4.95V (again only 1% off), and the 12V line averaged 11.67V (2.75% off). Load power consumption was 186 watts. As you can see, there's barely any difference between the idle and load voltage fluctuations, as well as fluctuations in general. The RPMs also remained same (712-713RPM average). Mathematically, 40% load of 430 watts is 172 watts which is lower than the 186 watts consumed by the system, so the fan should have run faster. However it's possible that the curve doesn't pick up until around 50% or more load (I'm not sure if the graph on the packaging is entirely accurate). Ambient temperature also has a role to play (in this case around 23C). Overall this is an extremely quiet and stable power supply.
Pros
- Lots of extras in kit
- Looks nice
- Very high quality
- Quiet, load controlled 120mm fan
- High efficiency for an active PFC model
- Honeycomb ventilation holes for maximum airflow
- Lots of cables, including 24-pin, SATA, and PCI-E
- Cables are twisted and twist-tied
- Included Dr. Cable management system
- 3-pin fan control molex connector
- Great performance (stable, tight rails)
-
Cons
- Combined 3.3V and 5V maximum power output given despite them being dedicated rails
Seasonic's S12 series succeeds in combining almost everything you could want in a power supply: sustained high power output, quiet operation, stable rails, good looks, and lots of lengthy connectors (that are braided, mind you). Aside from suggesting even higher efficiency, possible modular connectors, and maybe some more bling, there's nothing wrong with this model. You can find a list of vendors here.
<< Start < Prev 1 2 3 Next > End >>
|
|
Last Updated ( Monday, 18 June 2007 )
|
|
|
