NZXT HALE90 850w Review
Simulated Load Results (Tables)
Published: 1st October 2010 | Source: NZXT | Price: £152 |
Simulated Load Results (Tables)
If you've seen the simplified graphs over on the previous page you will undoubtedly already have a good idea of how the NZXT 850w performs. However, certain results from the test can be too difficult to incorporate into the existing graphs, and for this reason all of the result data is also provided in the table format below.
All testing is conducting using OC3D's trusty SunMoon SM-268+ DC load tester. This equipment is capable of placing a user specified load on all of the PSU's rails (+3.3v, +5v, +12v, -12v, +5vSB) up to a maximum load of 1680w. As the maximum load for this device on the +12v rail is restricted to 75A we can also call on additional help from our Analogic Series 2000 DC load tester, so that anything up to an additional 166A can be added if necessary. All testing is conducted at 50°C (±5%) with the results being recorded using a Fluke Multimeter and Thermostat.
UPDATE 03/10/10: Further to a post by a member of our forum we have become aware of a mis-calculation in our load levels for this PSU. As a result, the table below has been adjusted since the initial launch of this review on the 01/10/10. All results are now CORRECT.
| NZXT HALE 850w @ 50°C | ||||||||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v | +5vSB | -12v | AC Watts / DC Watts | Efficiency | Intake / Exhaust | Δ Temp | ||
| Test1 (25%) | 3.50A | 3.50A | 14.75A | 0.75A | 0.12A | 244w / 223w | 91.39% | 50.4°C / 51.3°C | 0.9°C | |
| 3.35v | 5.13v | 12.22v | 5.10v | -11.85v | ||||||
| Test2 (50%) | 7.00A | 7.00A | 29.50A | 1.50A | 0.25A | 459w / | 93.24% | 51.5°C / 55.5°C | 4.0°C | |
| 3.33v | 5.10v | 12.18v | 5.07v | -11.80v | ||||||
| Test3 (75%) | 10.50A | 10.50A | 44.25A | 2.25A | 0.37A | 685w / 640w | 93.43% | 50.0C / 58.6°C | 8.6°C | |
| 3.30v | 5.06v | 12.14v | 5.04v | -11.73v | ||||||
| Test4 (100%) | 14.00A | 14.00A | 59.00A | 3.00A | 0.50A | 931w / 849w | 91.19% | 51.5°C / 61.5°C | 10.0°C | |
| 3.26v | 5.02v | 12.08v | 5.00v | -11.65v | ||||||
| TestX1 (x-load) | 14.00A | 14.00A | 1.00A | 0.00A | 0.00A | 153w / 129w | 84.31% | 50.2°C / 50.2°C | 0.0°C | |
| 3.31v | 5.07v | 12.24v | 5.11v | -11.93v | ||||||
| TestX2 (x-load) | 1.00A | 1.00A | 70.00A | 0.00A | 0.00A | 913w / 852w | 93.31% | 51.6°C / 58.2°C | 6.6°C | |
| 3.32v | 5.11v | 12.06v | 5.07v | -11.98v | ||||||
| TMax1 (Max) | 25.00A | 25.00A | 72.00A | 3.00A | 0.50A | 1231w / 1088w | 88.38% | 51.3°C / 72.1°C | 20.8°C | |
| 3.21v | 4.93v | 12.00v | 4.95v | -12.32v | ||||||
OK. Before we even talk about anything else, I think you should take a look at the DC Watts being pulled in test TMax1. Yes, you did read that right. That's a whopping 1088W pulled from a PSU rated at only 850w! I have to admit that my face was more crinkled than a packet of McCoy's crisps at that stage, but thankfully the NZXT knew its limits and shut down elegantly as I attempted to push it any further.
The rest of the results are pretty much as they should be. No crazy voltages during the crossload tests, no fire breathing dragons during the Max Load test and fairly average results everywhere else. So let's move on and see what the ripple results from the scope have in store...
| NZXT Hale 850w Scope Results @ 50c | ||||
| +3.3v | +5.0v | +12v | ||
| Test1 (25%) |  |  |  | |
| Test2 (50%) |  |  |  | |
| Test3 (75%) |  |  |  | |
| Test4 (100%) |  |  |  | |
| TestX1 (x-load) |  |  |  | |
| TestX2 (x-load) |  |  |  | |
| TMax1 (MAX) |  |  |  | |
Ripple refers to the small fluctuations in voltage that occur in all PSU's on a millisecond scale. Large quantities of ripple on a PSU can damage or kill components in your PC over time and therefore testing a PSU's performance in this area is just as important as any other part. ATX specification states that ripple should be no higher than 50mV on the +3.3v/+5v rails and 120mV on the +12v rails, so what we're looking for in the screenshots above is for all rails to stay well within these limits during Test 1-4 at the very least.
Does the NZXT Hale manage it? JUST. While the +12v rail hits an extremely impressive maximum result of 38mVpp at 100% load in test 4, the +3.3v and +5v rails lead a lot to be desired, barely managing to stay within ATX specifications. For a PSU trying to make its mark on the enthusiast sector there's definitely still work here to be done.
Whoops, this is where I hold my hands up and admit my mistake. In the results published on the 01/10, the ripple for the +3.3v and +5v rails was just within ATX specifications. However, thanks to a member of our forums pointing out a mistake in the load levels, the PSU was re-tested and now the ripple results for these two rails is MUCH better. 28mVpp on the +3.3v rail, 24mVpp on the +5v rail and 38mVpp on the +12v rail at full load - simply awesome!
Most Recent Comments
seriously if i want my PSU white, i'll paint it ..
And replacing the fan is just as easy as opening a trash can!
just be carefull when opening a PSU just don't do it after a few days of F@H (gaming) and then boom open
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Originally Posted by SnW
I guess paint isn't a option ? seriously if i want my PSU white, i'll paint it .. And replacing the fan is just as easy as opening a trash can! just be carefull when opening a PSU just don't do it after a few days of F@H (gaming) and then boom open |
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Originally Posted by hmmblah
It's a sexy powdercoat, not just a paint job...nice touch IMO. |
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Originally Posted by AMDFTW
what no OC3D certification? |
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
No mate the 3.3v rail did not pass our standards. You only get our stamp if the psu is above and beyond epic! |
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Originally Posted by AlienALX
Hmmm.. Seems amazingly over priced to me... |
seen the 1000w version go for $209 (£131ish) :/
at new egg
TBH and I hate to say it but inside it looks pretty cheap. Outside it looks nice but man, reading the review I find it worrying that a £150+ PSU can just about keep within the ATX spec.
I had no respect for NZXT whatsoever until they released the Phantom. I don't know what it's built like but it's very nice looking. Unlike the fan controller of theirs I bought in 2007 that -
A. Was really cheap and tacky.
B. Was too big to fit in the 5.25 bay it was designed for and literally had to be rammed in.
C. The screen on which was absolutely parp and it wasn't cheap to buy.
I hoped that lately they had come good, but after reading this review I have my doubts. It's very easy now to get an average PSU around the same wattage for £100, and this is decidedly average. It must cost less than £50 to get a powdercoat done on a PSU (I mean FFS it's tiny) therefore I can't see any real reason at all to pay £150 for this thing.
A black one would look nicer in your case any way, and take that from some one who has studied colour coding and has a lot of experience with black and white
check my project log "crysis extreme" for some pics
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Originally Posted by Todd
So when's the full review of the Phantom coming along? I hope it isn't a disappointment as well because I really had my hopes up for NZXT. |
when is the review of the 1095t coming out
I like it even more now
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Originally Posted by Todd
Sorry, Tom, I watched that video already. I was talking about the full- full review and conclusion as a month has passed. You still love it? |
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Originally Posted by silenthill
What a load of rubbish, if you give it to me for free I wouldn’t put it in my pc |
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Originally Posted by tinytomlogan
Its actually pretty good fella, Im currently using an 850w in my rig |
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Originally Posted by silenthill
I only do Corsair Guvnor when it comes PSU so everything ells is like pound land |
That said, I'm surprised the PSU didn't blow up with almost 200W load on the +3.3V & +5V combined.
i assume this anyway
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Originally Posted by jonnyGURU
You know you overloaded the +3.3V and +5V rails by test 3, right? No reason to complain that the ripple is too high when you tested those rails a good 80W more than what the label says it should do. That said, I'm surprised the PSU didn't blow up with almost 200W load on the +3.3V & +5V combined. |
I've just this second finished re-resting the PSU and have published the amended set of results. As everyone will be able to see, these are MUCH more favourable for the unit in every respect. Efficiency is increased, voltages are slightly more stable and most importantly the ripple is much lower.
Please everyone take a chance to re-read the review as I wouldn't like NZXT to suffer for my mistake.
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UPDATE 03/10/10: Further to a post by a member of our forum we have become aware of a mis-calculation in our load levels for this PSU. As a result, please disregard any negative comments about the ripple results of this PSU in this thread.