Enermax Revolution85+ 950w 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 Revolution85+ 950w 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 Revolution85+ will be combined during the testing, allowing us to make best use of the load testers configuration.
Enermax Revolution 950w Results @ Room Temp
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
249w
20.3°C
(Med)
495w
22.5°C
(High)
737w
25.5°C
(Full)
976w
28.4°C
(x-load)
178w
27.3°C
(x-load)
850w
28.7°C
Looking first at the voltage output in standard Tests 1-4 both the +3.3v and +5v rails put up a fairly good fight with only 0.11v and 0.07v fluctuation from the Low and High level tests on the +3.3v and +5.0v rails respectively. The +12v rail takes the biggest hit of the group by dropping from 12.22v down to 12.00v, but this is obviously nothing to be ashamed of given that all rails are well within ATX spec and the unit was actually loaded to 976w in Test 4 – 26w above the units stated output. One area of slight concern is the -12v rail which sits at around -11.4v at most load levels. Thankfully this rail has little to do with the stability and operation of a PC system, so we can almost forgive Enermax for letting things slip a little here.
The crossload results on the other hand are simply amazing! With 40A spread across the +3.3v and +5v rails and only 1A on the +12v rail during Test 5, the Revolution85+ managed to keep voltages well under control with results better than some of the non-crossload tests. This trend also continues into Test 6 with a massive 70A load on the +12v rails but only 1A on each of the +3.3v and +5v rails and all voltages once again remaining almost perfect. This is a first for any PSU tested here at OC3D, so well done Enermax!
Enermax Revolution 950w Results @ 50°C
DC Watts
Exhaust
(Low)
249w
48.6°C
(Med)
495w
48.8°C
(High)
736w
48.3°C
(Full)
976w
51.5°C
(x-load)
178w
48.2C
(x-load)
850w
49.2°C
With the temperature cranked up to 50°C and a re-run of all the previous tests, the Revolution85+ proved to be one tough cookie. Throughout most of the results the voltage didn’t budge in the slightest from the room temperature tests, showing that the unit is easily capable of delivering its full 950w (and more) in hot environments. Even more impressive than this was the efficiency levels, which stayed above 90% in Tests 2,3 and 4 and hit a whopping 94% in Test 6.
Enermax Revolution 950w Scope Results @ 50c
(Low)
(Med)
(High)
(Full)
(x-load)
(x-load)
Finishing up with the scope readings taken during the 50°C tests, it’s easy to see that the Revolution85+ did extremely well. Ripple on the +3.3v and 5v rails stayed below 15mV throughout the testing with the +12v rail also performing well and keeping ripple below 20mV at all times, While I’ve certainly seen results like this before in tests 1-4 for some other PSU’s tested recently, the fact that the Revolution85+ can keep ripple in check when in a heavy cross-load scenario is extremely good.
Now let’s move on to the conclusion where I attempt to sum up the previous few pages.
