be quiet! Dark Power 14 1200W PSU Review
Power Efficiency and Ripple Testing
Voltage Ripple and Efficiency Testing
When reviewing new power supplies at OC3D, we use our dedicated SunMoon PSU Tester, one of the most expensive (if not the most expensive) tools in the company’s arsenal. Here, we can see exactly how well a unit functions. We look at both a PSU’s efficiency and power stability. To do this, we utilise bespoke PSU testing equipment to give us an in-depth look at each power supply’s performance. This kind of data collection is impossible when using a PSU with standard PC components.
Power Efficiency
The be quiet Dark Power 14 1200W is a Titanium-rated power supply, with ratings from 80+ and Cybenetics. With this in mind, this PSU delivers the expected performance levels. Over 94% efficient at most load levels. These are solid results.
Voltage Ripple
Voltage ripple is often overlooked by consumers. It is best described as the stability of specific voltages that the PSU delivers. A PSU with bad ripple will see voltages vary a lot more. In extreme cases, this can damage components or shorten their lifespans. Voltage ripple stability is one of the many reasons you should buy a high-quality power supply. That means buying from a reputable brand and avoiding anything that isn’t 80+ certified.
An important thing to note here is that none of the PSUs in this graph are “bad.” Even units with the highest ripple in our charts, like the original Corsair RM1000 (from 2014), are usable within your system without any issues. We used this specific power supply within one of our main workstations for years and had no trouble with it. As we said before, only extreme levels of voltage ripple are dangerous. Regardless, we feel that these results are important, as we do not want to see PSU manufacturers moving backwards with this metric. We do not want to see the return of PSUs with high levels of voltage ripple.
Voltage stability is an area where the Dark Power 14 1200W excels. It is rare for a modern PSU to deliver results this good. Not many currently available PSUs deliver these levels of voltage stability. This PSU will definitely be of interest to overclockers and those who demand strong performance in this area. For regular users, you can rest assured that this PSU is delivering the voltages it claims with minimal variation.
