CLEAResult raises the bar for high-end PSUs with its 80 PLUS Ruby standard

CLEAResult raises the bar for high-end PSUs with its new 80 PLUS Ruby standard

CLEAResult has expanded its 80 PLUS Ruby standard into the realm of consumer-grade PSUs, raising the bar for future high-end power supplies. Now, the 80 PLUS Ruby standard can be applied to 115V and 230V EU Internal Non-Redundant PSUs, creating a standard higher than 80 PLUS Titanium.

Over 80 PLUS Titanium, the new standard calls for conversion efficiency levels 1% higher at all rated load levels. Furthermore, the standard adds a new 5% load level to ensure strong low-power efficiency characteristics.

With 80 PLUS Titanium PSUs already calling for efficiency levels of up to 95% (50% load for 230V EU PSUs), gaining an extra efficiency point is hard work. Moving from 95% to 96% requires a 20% reduction in wasted power/energy. That’s a huge decrease. With this in mind, new Ruby-certified power supplies will produce much less heat than lower-rated PSUs, making them cooler-running and likely quieter. After all, less waste heat means lowered cooling requirements.

(80 PLUS PSU standard for 115V Non-Redundant PSUs)

Why are standards higher for 230V?

As with all 80 PLUS PSU standards, the new Ruby rating has higher requirements for 230V than 115V. The reason for this is simple: power loss is higher when current is higher. P (Power) = V (Voltage) x I (Current). This means that PSUs with higher input voltages are inherently more efficient than PSUs with lower input voltages. As V (Voltage) gets higher, I (Current) increases. This means otherwise identical PSUs for 230V regions are more efficient than 115V versions, and PSUs that support both operate more efficiently at 230V.

To account for this reality, CLEAResult’s 80 PLUS PSU standards are more lax for 115V PSUs. For redundant datacenter PSUs, which can support higher voltage inputs, have even higher efficiency requirements.

(80 PLUS PSU standard for 230V Non-Redundant PSUs)

Seasonic has built its first ATX-sized 80 PLUS Ruby power supply

Seasonic has announced that its new Prime Enterprise RX-1600 power supply is its first 80 PLUS Ruby-rated ATX 115V power supply. While this is an enterprise-grade power supply, its ATX sizing does make it compatible with mainstream desktop PCs. A consumer-grade 80 PLUS Ruby PSU will be created in time. It’s only a matter of time before a major PSU brand achieves this feat outside of the enterprise space.

You can join the discussion on the new 80 PLUS Ruby PSU efficiency standard on the OC3D Forums.