Overclock3D Launches Power Supply Certification Programme
Info & Manufacturer List
Published: 31st August 2010 | Source: Overclock3D |
For the past 2 years Overclock3D has been at the forefront of independent Power Supply testing in the UK. Being the only UK technology publication at present to possess its own in-house ATE (well two in fact), we have always maintained the belief that a power supply can only be tested correctly on professional equipment, by trained staff and without any controversy surrounding using off-site testing facilities or 'sponsored' equipment.
In this time we've also come to realise that there is no definitive way for enthusiasts to identify the best PSU's on the market at a glance. ATX compliance and 80PLUS certification does not guarantee 'quality' by any stretch of the imagination, and product awards are becoming all too easy for lesser-quality manufacturers to obtain simply by sending their products to publications that are unable to correctly test power supplies to their rated outputs. It is for this reason that Overclock3D has launched its own Power Supply Certification Programme.
Our programme covers areas such as SCP and OCP testing along with stringent ripple and voltage analysis, Efficiency and PF testing and temperature monitoring. Furthermore, being the overclocking enthusiast website that we are, we have always believed in testing beyond specifications. After all it's not until you start pushing PSU's beyond their rated outputs that you really get to tell the difference between a good unit and a GREAT unit.
This is why we're inviting all PSU manufacturers to a duel!
Their PSU's vs our testing procedures.
At the end of testing, PSU's that pass the following gruelling challenges will be awarded with our "OC3D Certified PSU" logo. These tests include:
1) SCP (Short Circuit Protection) testing at full load.
2) OCP (Over Current Protection) testing beyond full load.
3) Stringent ripple analysis.
4) Stringent voltage output analysis at both idle and full load.
5) Efficiency and Power Factor testing.
6) Operational temperature testing.
Full details of these tests and what's required in order to pass can be found in our whitepaper here. Over the next few days we'll be directly contacting all PSU manufacturers and requesting that they submit their latest models to us for analysis. The table below shows who we've contacted and whether they've responded or not:
| Manufacturer Name | Product(s) submitted for Certification | Date Contacted | Link to results |
| Antec | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Akasa | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Arctic Cooling | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Be-Quiet | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Cooler Master | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Corsair | AX850W | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Cougar | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Enermax | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| NZXT | Hale90 850w | 31/08/2010 | Failed |
| OCZ / PCP&C | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Sapphire | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Silverstone | DECLINED TESTING due to 50°C ambient requirements. | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Super Flower | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Seasonic | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Thermaltake | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Tuniq | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| XFX | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
| Xigmatek | None as yet | 01/09/2010 | N/A |
| Zippy | None as yet | 31/08/2010 | N/A |
We'd love to hear your thoughts about our certification programme on our forums.
Most Recent Comments
Tom, have you looked at the testing done in the US by Hardocp.com? They (and jonnyguru.com) are the best psu testing I have seen and who I use religiously for psu selection.
notleh,dont link to other forums fell its not likes hear
Not sure exactly what you were saying there, but i removed the link ;-)
dont post links to other forums its not liked hear
We're never going to be like two certain other websites in the UK that actually block the word 'overclock3d' from being posted on their forums. Tut tut
I am wondering, why nzxt failed when it got silver award from o3d?
Because for it to get the PSU Certification from OC3D, it had to pass extremely stringent test conditions, including being only 2% off the target 3.3v on the 3.3v rail, which was where it failed. Since at full load on that rail it had to be no less than 3.234v, but it hit 3.21, which falls outside 2% therefore it failed. If it was able to pass the 3.3v test, than it probably would have gotten a Gold Award as well as a certificate.
For a PSU to get approved by OC3D, it will have to be the best PSU in the market, even than I doubt the best PSUs out there right now are capable of succeeding.
CSS Valid
LOL yep. Unfortunately 100% of the load testers power draw is converted to heat. So its a case of trying to dissipate anything up to 1.6kw of heat silently
A couple of manufacturers have already agreed. One has already been tested and has failed. But before I say who it was I want to publish the whole review, as they only failed by the skin on their teeth and I think its a bit unfair to say "FAIL" without explaining it more.