BFG EX-1200 (1200W) Modular PSU
Simulated Load Testing
To provide our readers with the most accurate results, Overclock3D uses a professional grade SunMoon SM-268+ ATE load tester capable of placing a sustained load of 1690w across a total of six rails (including +5vsb and -12v) on the PSU. Unlike our previous resistor-based load tester, the SM-268+ gives us the ability to adjust amperage loads in increments as small as 0.01A while also measuring voltages and wattage readings on-screen.
During today’s tests, we will be placing the BFG EX Series 1200w under 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% load levels at both room temperature and inside a hot box regulated to a temperature of around 50°C. Additional cross load tests will also be performed under these conditions to simulate how the PSU would perform with a heavily uneven distribution of load. It should also be noted that the all +12v rails on the BFG EX will be combined during the testing, allowing us to make best use of the load testers configuration.
BFG EX Series 1200w Results @ Room Temp
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
271w
30.3°C
(Med)
538w
44.5°C
(High)
808w
56.5°C
(Full)
1065w
66.7°C
(x-load)
193w
45.5°C
(x-load)
890w
52.4°C
Starting first with the efficiency results, the EX-1200 certain surpasses the 80% efficiency quoted on the packaging with 83% straight off the bat in test 1 increasing to 85% in tests 2 and 3. Things go quite a bit down hill as the +3.3v/+5v crossload is applied in test 5 with the unit dipping down to a rather nasty 73% efficiency. However, as soon as the crossload is weighted towards the +12v rails in test 6 the EX-1200 more than redeems its self with close to 88% efficiency!
Voltage stability throughout the testing was reasonable, with each of the rails starting quite close to their ‘ideals’ in test 1 and maintaining good stability all the way up to test 3. Only once the unit is placed under a 1065W load in test 4 does it start to show signs of strain with the +3.3v rail dropping down to a lowly 3.17v but both the +5v and +12v rails remain well within spec producing voltages of 4.85v and 11.86v respectively. Additionally, the grueling crossloads of tests 5 and 6 didn’t phase the EX-1200 in the slightest, with decent voltages throughout.
BFG EX Series 1200w Results @ 50c
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
271w
53.7°C
(Med)
538w
64.3°C
(High)
799w
71°C
(Full)
1065w
78°C
(x-load)
192w
67.6°C
(x-load)
889w
72°C
With the temperature cranked up to 50°C and a re-run of all the previous tests, the EX-1200 showed no additional signs of strain, producing voltage and efficiency results almost exactly the same as those at room temperature. However, as highlighted by the red text in the temperature results, the EX-1200 got EXTREMELY hot in in tests 3,4 and 6 with the exhaust temperature coming close to 80°C at one point. Granted the ambient temperature was around 50°C, but this is still far higher than any other PSU we’ve ever tested in the past and is borderline capable of melting nearby objects!
BFG EX Series 1200w Scope Results @ 50c
(Low)
(Med)
(High)
(Full) *
(x-load)
(x-load)
* During Test4 the scope configuration was changed from 20mV to 50mV to accomodate the EX-1200’s large waveforms.
Finishing up with the scope readings taken during the 50°C tests, both the +3.3v and +5v rails remained well within acceptable limits, only hitting 28mV and 30mV respectably during test 4. The +12v rails on the other hand were a completely different matter! Bearing in mind that these results are a combination of all four rails attached via both modular and hard-wired connectors, the result of 92mV during test 4 is quite worrying to say the least. Granted ATX spec requires the +12v rails to stay below 120mV in order to stay within specification, but this is still by far the worst result of any PSU tested on OC3D thus far.
Now let’s move on to the conclusion where I attempt to sum up the previous few pages.
