Cybenetics takes PSU certifications to the next level – Better than 80?
Cybenetics takes PSU certifications to the next level – Better than 80?
Why do PSUs need a better rating system?Â
While the 80 standard has encouraged power supply manufacturers to create more efficient units, recent years have shown is that power supply makers can game the system and tune their products to deliver higher efficiency levels at specific loads. By tuning their units, PSU makers can achieve higher efficiency ratings than they otherwise should, which is why Cybenetics feels that a change is required.Â
Instead of testing 3 or 4 designated loads, like the 80 PSU standard, the Cybenetics ETA standard mandates PSU testing across its entire wattage range. Using over 1450 separate load combinations, Cybenetics can provide an overall efficiency rating using an average of all measurements. This alone prevents PSU makers from gaming the system with highly tunes units.Â
Cybenetics also focuses on additional areas like voltage ripple, noise, thermal measurements and power factor under consideration, adding further requirements to their standard aside from power efficiency.Â
Below is a glimpse of that Cybenetics PSU rating symbols look like, and you should get used to seeing them as more and more PSU manufacturers adopt their standards.Â
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ETA Rating (Power Efficiency)
Cybenetics had adjusted their PSU efficiency rating system to match the 80 system’s naming scheme, offering efficiency levels named after precious materials. Cybenetics’ Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium standards are similar to the 80 standards of the same name. However, additional factors are also considered, such as power factor (PF), 5VSD Efficiency, and “Vampire Power”.Â
“Vampire Power” is the power that your power supply can use when your system is turned off. This power draw is wasted energy, and it is an aspect of power supplies which is not covered by today’s 80 standard. Cybenetics’ ETA ratings require PSUs to meet a specific “Vampire Power” standard, ensuring that PSU manufacturers cannot release units which draw more than 0.25 watts when your system is turned off.Â
The 5VSB rail is the efficiency weak spot off most modern power supplies, and Cybenetics’ ETA rating demands over a certain level of efficiency for this part of a power supply. This is another area of power supply efficiency that the 80 standard does not cover.Â
With these new standards, Cybenetics wants to encourage PSU makers to create higher quality power supplies and discourage PSU makers from making tuned units that cheat today’s 80 testing system.Â
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Lambda Rating (Noise Rating)
Nobody wants a power supply that sounds like a leafblower when it’s running at its rated wattages. Today’s PC builders are demanding quiet systems, and Cybenetics’ Lambda rating system is designed to tell users how noisy their PSUs should be.Â
With this rating system, consumers should know which PSUs are loud and which PSUs are quiet under load. This will allow PC builders to create quiet systems more easily and encourage PSU manufacturers to decrease the noise output of their future units. Â
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Cybenetics hopes to improve the PSU market by encouraging manufacturers to increase their standards. In time, Cybenetics’ standards may replace today’s 80 rating system, setting a higher minimum bar for future PC power supplies.Â
You can join the discussion on Cybenetics taking PSU rating to a new level on the OC3D Forums. Â