Test Setup

All measurements are performed utilizing ten electronic loads (seven Array 3711A, 300W each, and three Array 3710A, 150W each), which are able to deliver over 2500W of load and are controlled by a custom made software. We also use a DS1M12 (Stingray) oscilloscope, a CHY 502 thermometer, a Fluke 175 multimeter and an Instek GPM-8212 power meter. Furthermore, in our setup we have included a wooden box, which along with a heating element is used as a Hot Box. Finally, we have at our disposal two more oscilloscopes (Rigol 1052E and VS5042) and a CEM DT-8852 sound level meter. In this article you will find more details about our equipment and the review methodology we follow.

Voltage Regulation Charts

The following charts show the voltage values of the main rails, recorded over a range from 70W to the maximum specified load, and the deviation (in percent) for the same load range.

Efficiency Chart

In this chart you will find the efficiency of TPG-1200M at low loads and at loads equal to 20-100% of PSU’s maximum rated load.

Voltage Regulation and Efficiency Measurements

The first set of tests reveals the stability of voltage rails and the efficiency of TPG-1200M. The applied load equals to (approximately) 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80% and 100%, of the maximum load that the PSU can handle. In addition, we conduct two more tests. In the first we stress the two minor rails (5V & 3.3V) with a high load, while the load at +12V is only 2A and in the second test we dial the maximum load that +12V can handle while load at minor rails is minimal.


Let's start first with the good news. Efficiency is high and from 40% to 60% load it is over 91%. However Thermaltake claims near 93% efficiency, with 230V, which seems a very unlikely scenario even at much lower operating temperatures. Continuing with the good news the PSU managed to deliver its full power at 50°C. Now it's time for the bad news. Voltage regulation at +12V may be under 3% but the minor rails are loose, especially at 3.3V where it's out of the 5% range. Also PF reading are very low even at full load. The CL1 test clearly shows that the PSU couldn't handle the 180W load at minor rails, resulting in both 5V and 3.3V dropping their voltages dead low. Here we should note that the manufacturer states that the max combined power at the minor rails is 180W and because of that we pushed them so far.
Finally at full load the fan was really screaming and we measured 47.9 dBA at one meter distance from the PSU. In general above 40°C operating temperature, no matter the load, the fan produced significant noise.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measure the efficiency of TPG-1200M at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum rated load (the lowest load that the 80 Plus Standard measures). The loads that we dial are 40, 70 and 100W. This is important for scenarios in which a typical office PC is in idle with power saving turned on.


At low loads strangely we didn't see below 70% efficiency readings even with 40W load. This is good news since even the mighty Antec HCP-1200 at 40W load, registered below 70% efficiency. With 100W load the unit passes the 80% mark easily.

5VSB Efficiency

ATX spec states that the 5VSB standby supply's efficiency should be as high as possible and recommends 50% or higher efficiency with 100mA load, 60% or higher with 250mA load and 70% or higher with 1A or more load.
We will take four measurements, three at 100 / 250 / 1000 mA and one with the full load that 5VSB rail can handle.


Efficiency with only 0.1A load at 5VSB is really low. During testing it significantly increases but still remains well under the recommended 60% level. Only at test #4 and with full load applied 5VSB efficiency manages to surpass 70%.

Power Consumption in Idle & Standby

In the table below you will find the power consumption and the voltage values of all rails (except -12V), when the PSU is in idle mode (On but without any load at its rails) and the power consumption when the PSU is in standby (without any load at 5VSB).


The increased power consumption in idle is due to the fan working at almost full speed. In standby phantom power is under 1W so the unit meets the ErP Lot 6 requirements.