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Roundup: 12 Gaming Power Supplies Compared

Roundup: 12 Gaming Power Supplies Compared
By , Patrick Afschar

Gamers demand a lot from their computers, starting with the PSU. Therefore, almost every PSU manufacturer sells products optimized for gaming PCs. We introduce ripple and noise testing in this roundup to further improve our power supply evaluations.

In previous power supply reviews, we focused on a specific power output range and tested performance and efficiency.

This time, we asked PSU manufacturers to send us products developed for a very specific and very demanding group: gamers. Are the so-called gaming PSUs really optimized for this segment? Or is that designation just an empty promise created by marketing departments? We looked at 12 different products to find answers.


New Test: Ripple & Noise

Following the requests of several manufacturers and our readers, we decided to include ripple and noise testing in our PSU reviews. According to the vendors asking about this test discipline, including these tests will highlight some obvious differences that should make it easy to draw conclusions regarding the electrical quality of a PSU, especially when it comes to high-performance units. As you'll see, this roundup will go on to show that not all manufacturers have done their homework in this area, and in some cases they don’t live up to our expectations--or the product specifications.

Ripple and noise testing is used to determine how accurately the circuits work to smooth out the DC voltage output. The goal is to produce a flat output, like you would get from a battery. Circuits of diodes and capacitors take care of this task as they convert alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). Depending on the quality of these rectifier modules and components, the result shows more or less ripple and electrical noise. According to the ATX specifications, this value is not to exceed 120 mV for the 12 V rails. For all other ATX PSU voltages, the limit is 50 mV. A power supply that doesn't exceed these tolerances is good to go.

Huge Assortment, Huge Test

Up until now, we've generally compared five PSUs in our roundups. This is a natural limitation of test products, since we're paying for time in a professional testing facility. But it’s probably also because we're asking for products in very specific segments in order to make the comparisons as relevant as possible.

This time, we asked the manufacturers to send us gaming-oriented PSU products, without providing any specific criteria, and we received a veritable avalanche of submissions. Therefore, this review offers a broad spectrum of the market, represented by a total of 12 PSUs. Their power ratings fall between 580 and 850 W, and the efficiency certifications range from 80 PLUS to 80 PLUS Gold. Prices differ quite a bit, with the cheapest starting at around $90, while the most expensive offerings sit around twice that number. In addition to the manufacturers represented in our previous tests, Antec, Chieftec, Cooler Master, Corsair, Cougar, Enermax, and Seasonic, this time we have four newcomers to our test labs: be quiet!, NZXT, OCZ, and Sparkle.

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  • 0 Hide
    tasiogurria , 30 December 2010 17:19
    "Same" power but big different in price (Almost in Spain). Antec keep rocking all them.
  • 0 Hide
    brianthesnail , 30 December 2010 22:39
    interesting to see NZXT on the same level as tagan and ocz with regards to power supplys.... i have the M59 chassis from NZXT and its a excellent allround gaming case.... and by the looks of their psu,s i may invest in one of theres ... the single +12v rail looks solid especially for my XFX GTS250
  • 0 Hide
    irish_adam , 31 December 2010 06:10
    am i the only one that cares how load the PSU is?
  • 0 Hide
    mi1ez , 2 January 2011 23:53
    Would be nice to see them properly stress tested and more explanation with the ripple and noise graphs!
  • 1 Hide
    Silmarunya , 8 January 2011 20:35
    DadiggleThats one big list of junk psu


    What a well motivated and intelligent comment. Please let me know what PSU's aren't junk PSU's then. I can think of very few brands that make quality PSU's that were left out here. Silverstone maybe, but that's about it.
  • 0 Hide
    mannagoo123 , 10 January 2011 06:30
    really dont buy a psu only if your 300 watts short i mean come on cpu and grafic card can still run on a 300 watts (even if it doesnt have a 6 pin connecter)!!!
  • 0 Hide
    Anonymous , 24 June 2011 08:02
    Hi i bought a N440GT 1gbytes ddr3 Graphics card can it make the computer freeze or can it give the computer problems if the power supply watts is small like the requirements for the graphics is 450W 12V 38A power suply and my is 300W.