FSP Epsilon 80Plus 600W
by Christoph Katzer on August 5, 2008 8:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Efficiency
Given the very good voltage regulation, we were very keen on seeing how efficient this power supply is. With a 600W output rating, we also expect to see good efficiency at lower power loads, potentially making this an ideal power supply for entry-level to midrange computers. Starting at around 100W, we already break the 80% efficiency mark and we remain above 80% throughout testing. As you can see in the charts, we also achieved 80% or higher efficiency regardless of input voltage -- though as always, 90 VAC and 115 VAC are slightly lower than 230 VAC, and 90 VAC does drop below 80% at higher loads.
The Epsilon 80Plus 600W is certified as an 80Plus Bronze power supply, and our efficiency results confirmed that rating. Bronze certification requires 82%/85%/82% at loads of 20%/50%/100% (120W/300W/600W); we achieve that (barely) on 230 VAC. Optimal performance is achieved over the range of 200W to 600W, with a maximum efficiency of 87%. While we have seen slightly higher results on some power supplies, getting the last 2% efficiency generally cost quite a bit more money.
Power Factor Correction
The power factor correction isn't particularly good, but since it is active PFC the results are still ok. However, we have definitely seen better results from many other units.
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Amart - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - link
-1FSP Epsilon above 500W are known to have Ripple/Noise problems, and the "spec" for maximum is much higher then anyone would want to buy.
Capacitors age, and Ripple/Noise increases over the lifetime of this product - so starting out very-low is a requirement for a quality unit. I've seen plenty of tests of $80+ units that failed to provide the quality they promised.
C'DaleRider - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - link
Fucktard? My, my, little boy games calling names....makes you such a big boy, doesn't it?I guess despite the education proper testing sites have attempted to do in testing power supplies has eluded you. Ripple and noise is quite important...but since you care not for ever seeing the values presented, and it's not hard to get them, AT's vaunted Chroma gives them so why cannot they be presented is beyond me.
And to show the ripple/noise graphing is very simple, too. An oscilloscope is all that's needed....and if a website can afford a Chroma, it certainly can afford an oscilloscope.
Without proper presentation of ripple/noise generation at given output levels, their testing is incomplete. To be within spec is rather meaningless as 115mV of ripple on the +12V rail at full rated output is within spec, but I wouldn't buy a power supply that produced that much ripple/noise.
Come on AT, get with the program and show us complete information, or is HardOCP, Hardware Secrets, and JonnyGuru's sites the only ones that will do proper testing and leave you as an also-ran testing site.
strikeback03 - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - link
If you don't trust them to say "Ripple Results are fine" then why would you trust a graphic? Never heard of Photoshop? Or use Labview to generate a signal to be read by an oscilloscope? If a reviewer actually wants to deceive, a picture isn't any harder.JarredWalton - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - link
That's pretty much my thoughts as well. Christoph did include ripple tests and charts in some previous articles (http://www.anandtech.com/casecoolingpsus/showdoc.a...">for example, this roundup), but didn't feel like the amount of time required to generate all the charts really added anything to the results. Given that he HAS done those tests in the past, I see no reason to think that he's not conducting those tests now. That he condenses a bunch of charts that take a significant amount of effort to create into a short statement on ripple doesn't really bother me at all. Though I do have to say, at least reporting the mV ripple values as he's done in the past would be good.Amart - Thursday, August 7, 2008 - link
He does NOT condense. If he wanted to condense he would give the average number he's getting from the calculation.Simply saying that something is "within spec" is unacceptable in a professional review, for reasons outlined in the above replies.
He must show the numbers, whether in a graph or simply writing them down. It won't take more space or time - if he's actually doing the testing.
JarredWalton - Thursday, August 7, 2008 - link
Usually Christoph has listed the ripple values. I'm not sure why he didn't put them in this article. Compare to the last article, where he mentions 8mV or whatever. I'll flog him and make sure we get some numbers for future PSUs. :)Amart - Friday, August 8, 2008 - link
Why not for this one? This isn't paper print, you can edit.Both methodology and results for such key testing should be posted or linked within the article - just like on other sites.
HOOfan 1 - Thursday, August 7, 2008 - link
I personally would rather see specific values for ripple rather than oscilloscope shots. By the same measure, I would rather see specific values for voltage regulation, rather than line graph. I would rather see specific AC input versus DC output numbers instead of a line graph for efficiency. All of these should be simple and quick to whip up into a chart. As for the FSP Epsilon, for most in North America where the superior Corsair CWT and Seasonic designs can be had for the same price or even less money, I say going with the superior designs of CWT and Seasonic is a no brainer. Same for the new BFG LS line that has popped up...they need to drop the price by about $15-$20 before they can even hope to compete with the value that Corsair is putting out there.larson0699 - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 - link
I'll take their word for it....especially having already concluded that this is a good unit but still nothing on Seasonic's S12II/M12II line. Their testing is sufficient to validate that.
You can say what you want about AT, but it's their game and I think they're damn good at it, and ooh look at the pretty colors *drool*. You may find yourself more comfortable reading , Hot, Tom's, I don't care, but that's _your_ preference and one I can respect, at least moreso than "boo fuckity hoo your testing is incomplete OMGWTFBBQ". I'll tell you what'll really get results: Buy the unit, suppress the mouth.
I said good day.