Seasonic M12 600w Modular PSU
Testing
Published: 8th November 2006 | Source: Seasonic | Price: |
NOTE: The voltage results obtained for the Seasonic M12 unit are deemed to be inaccurate due to a problem discovered with the OC3D testing equipment. The unit is currently in the process of being re-tested.
The tester will be placing the following loads on each of the M12's rails:
+3.3v - 20a Load
+5.0v - 20a Load
+12v1 - 10a Load
+12v2 - 10a Load
+12v3 - 10a Load
+12v4 - 10a Load
The results are collected from a Mastech MAS-345 Multimeter which logs its readings via RS232 to a PC.
Efficiency Testing
Efficiency tests are performed by measuring the wattage consumed by the power supply at the mains against the power (in watts) consumed by the OC3D power supply stress tester. These results may not be 100% accurate, but have proven to be extremely close to results obtained from professional equipment.
The M12 was placed under a load of 646 watts. This counts for a total of 107% of the power supplies rated output. At this load, the power supply required 771 watts from the mains. Therefore the efficiency of this power supply can be found by a simple equation: (646 / 771) * 100, which works out to be an efficiency rating of 83.7%.
Noise Testing
Possibly the hardest part of any PSU review is summarising the level of noise given out by the unit. The threshold for what is considered 'noisy' varies from person to person and therefore what I may consider a quiet unit, another person may consider extremely loud. A common way to resolve this issue is to use a dBA meter to measure the units noise level, however this doesn't take into account the pitch (type) of noise emitted and whether it is likely to irritate end users.
For this reason OC3D records all power supplies at idle and load in wav format for you to make your own informed decisions. All recordings are taken at 30cm away from the PSU and outside of a PC case. You will need to remember that noise levels will be reduced by varying amounts once the PSU has been installed inside your PC enclosure.
Idle Recording - Download
Load Recording - Download
After hearing good things about the Seasonic units with regards to noise levels, I was expecting the M12 to be a very quiet power supply. However, these expectations started to turn into concerns once I had seen the choice of fans used inside the unit. With two fans rated between 32dBA and 39dBA it became hard to see how these could possibly be considered "Super quiet" as stated on the M12's packaging.
At Idle I started to regain faith in Seasonic's "super quiet" marketing, with the M12 being almost totally silent due to both fans running at very low RPM.
However, once the M12 was placed under load the fan speed increased significantly, and as you can probably hear from the recordings above - made the unit really quite loud. Personally I would find it very hard to recommend the M12 to anybody seeking a silent PSU for their computer.
Noise Testing
Possibly the hardest part of any PSU review is summarising the level of noise given out by the unit. The threshold for what is considered 'noisy' varies from person to person and therefore what I may consider a quiet unit, another person may consider extremely loud. A common way to resolve this issue is to use a dBA meter to measure the units noise level, however this doesn't take into account the pitch (type) of noise emitted and whether it is likely to irritate end users.
For this reason OC3D records all power supplies at idle and load in wav format for you to make your own informed decisions. All recordings are taken at 30cm away from the PSU and outside of a PC case. You will need to remember that noise levels will be reduced by varying amounts once the PSU has been installed inside your PC enclosure.
Idle Recording - Download
Load Recording - Download
After hearing good things about the Seasonic units with regards to noise levels, I was expecting the M12 to be a very quiet power supply. However, these expectations started to turn into concerns once I had seen the choice of fans used inside the unit. With two fans rated between 32dBA and 39dBA it became hard to see how these could possibly be considered "Super quiet" as stated on the M12's packaging.
At Idle I started to regain faith in Seasonic's "super quiet" marketing, with the M12 being almost totally silent due to both fans running at very low RPM.
However, once the M12 was placed under load the fan speed increased significantly, and as you can probably hear from the recordings above - made the unit really quite loud. Personally I would find it very hard to recommend the M12 to anybody seeking a silent PSU for their computer.
Most Recent Comments
I look forward to the Corsair 620 review if you get to test one, as far as I know it's very similar but is quieter with only 1 120mm fan.
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Originally Posted by name='kimandsally'
I look forward to the Corsair 620 review if you get to test one, as far as I know it's very similar but is quieter with only 1 120mm fan.
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Originally Posted by name='XMS'
Funnily enough, I have one on its way
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Originally Posted by name='kimandsally'
I look forward to that with massive interest, I'm thinking of getting one because of it's supposed high efficientcy and quietness, may I ask if you sell them after review?
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Nice review
You need to upgrade the PSU tester, 10a per 12v is nothin!
You need to upgrade the PSU tester, 10a per 12v is nothin!
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Originally Posted by NickS
Nice review
You need to upgrade the PSU tester, 10a per 12v is nothin! |
If you look at the specs on the M12, the maximum combined amperage it can cope with on the +12v rail is 48a - so i got as close to that as possible (40a). Plus its handy to compare results with other 600w PSU's - most of which have been subjected to the same stress.
Wow, 80a? Impressive.
Thanks for explanation though XMS
Thanks for explanation though XMS
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Originally Posted by NickS
Wow, 80a? Impressive.
Thanks for explanation though XMS |
Great review, and this looks to be a half way decent PSU. I think I could pick something better to put in my case if I had the choice however.
XMS, you gotta line up a single rail 1kw turbo-cool review!
XMS, you gotta line up a single rail 1kw turbo-cool review!
I am not a fan of the modular style PS.
But that was a very good review.
But that was a very good review.
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Originally Posted by name='FragTek'
XMS, you gotta line up a single rail 1kw turbo-cool review!
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