Enermax ECO80+ 350w ATX 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 Enermax ECO80+ 350w 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’ and a ‘Max Load’ tests will also be performed under these conditions to simulate how the PSU reacts to heavily uneven loads as well as running above its specified output.
Enermax ECO80+ 350w Results @ Room Temperature
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
87w
29.2°C
(Med)
175w
33.6°C
5.00v
(High)
262w
40.4°C
(Full)
349w
43.1°C
(x-load)
102w
36.7°C
(x-load)
326w
44.6°C
(MAX)
449w
45.6°C
* It should also be noted that the all +12v rails on the ECO80+ will be combined during the testing.
Starting off with the results from the standard load tests (1-4), one word that springs to mind is WOW. Neither the +3.3v, +5v or +12v rails budged by any considerable amount with the maximum difference between low and full loads being 0.07v. The cross load results in tests 5 and 6 flagged up some potential issues with the +12v rails as they were on the verge of rising outside ATX spec (+/-5%) in test 5 and also fell quite low in test 6. But realistically these kind of skewed loads are highly unlikely to occur in a real PC system.
The ECO80+ was also the first PSU to undergo our new MAX Load test in which each of the rails was pushed as high as it could go before the safety features of the unit kicked in and switched it off. Once again the ECO80+ performed admirably managing to deliver 449w – almost 100w more than its rated output, and still with extremely good output voltages!
Enermax ECO80+ 350w Results @ 50°C
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
87w
51.2°C
(Med)
175w
54.7°C
(High)
262w
57.8°C
(Full)
349w
62.4°C
(x-load)
102w
51.5°C
(x-load)
326w
55.5°C
(MAX)
448w
67.3°C
With the temperature cranked up to 50°C and a re-run of all the previous tests, the ECO80+ showed no additional signs of strain, producing near identical results to those conducted at room temperature. This is very impressive considering that Enermax have only rated the ECO80+ at 40°C.
Additionally one other area that is certainly worthy of mention before we move on to the scope results is efficiency. In tests 1-4 (the ones closest to real-world situations), the ECO80+ managed between 84-85% efficiency showing that it’s certainly no gas guzzler! Only when the unit was really pushed to its limits or handed a nasty crossload did the efficiency dip closer to the 80% mark.
Enermax ECO80+ 350w Scope Results @ 50c
(Low)
(Med)
(High)
(Full)
(x-load)
(x-load)
(MAX)
For the last part of the testing we analysed the ripple on the +3.3, +5 and +12v rails using a Rigol 25Mhz 400MSa/s oscilloscope. All readings were taken while the PSU was installed inside our 50°C hot box to provide us with worst case scenario results.
Once again the ECO80+ proved to be truly amazing with the +3.3v and +5v rails staying below 22mV in tests 1-4 and only hitting 28mV on the +5v rail in test 5. The +12v rails also managed to keep ripple to a minimum with test 1 starting at 22mV, increasing to 42mV by test 4; and test 7 giving the highest reading of 52mV when the unit was running well above its rated output at 448W.
To put these results into context, ATX specification states that the +3.3v and +5.0v rails must stay below 50mV ripple, while the +12v rails must remain within 120mV.The ECO80+ certainly managed this with ease, so let’s move on to the conclusion…
