Wednesday, May 3rd 2017
Announcing Cybenetics Power Supply Rating and Certification Agency
Cybenetics announces its arrival as a cutting-edge computer power supply rating and certification agency, which tests and certifies power-supply units (PSUs) beyond switching efficiency. Cybenetics was formed with one purpose in mind; to introduce new efficiency and noise certification standards for personal computer power supply units (PSUs). As compared to the currently available programs, the volunteered certification program offered by Cybenetics aims to add greater accuracy to efficiency testing and at the same time to provide an authentic verification of the PSU's operational noise level.
Beyond efficiency and noise certifications, Cybenetics also offers PSU Beta testing and evaluation reports which can lead to significant time and money savings in the process of increasing the quality and the performance of the tested products. The Cybenetics test procedure has been developed through many years of PSU evaluation experience. The methodologies in place, have been forged after numerous hours of testing and experimentation to obtain accuracy and reliability. Cybenetics' highly experienced personnel uses exclusively top-notch, state of the art equipment for its certifications. For further information, please visit the Cybenetics homepage.
Cybenetics introduces a new efficiency rating called ETA, after the Greek letter "Η", which is based on a highly sophisticated methodology that takes into account many different factors.
Contrary to the currently available efficiency rating programs that test only three or four different load points; the ETA program incorporates load combinations using a unique, custom-made application to account for the efficiency results of thousands of different load combinations through a unique proprietary application. This process allows Cybenetics to use a single value rating to represent the PSU's true overall efficiency. Moreover, and very importantly, Power Factor, Vampire Power and the +5VSB rail's efficiency are also taken into consideration in the final rating, whereas these measurements are not even considered in other efficiency certification tests. Finally, all tested PSUs must be compliant with the ErP Lot 6 2010/2013 and ErP lot 3 2014 directives and also meet all requirements mentioned in the (EU) No 617/2013 regulation:
The ETA certification comprises of five levels (A+, A, B, C, and D), while LAMBDA consists of seven levels (A++, A+, A, B, C, D, and E). Each manufacturer or brand can choose to either use the corresponding certification badges depicting the level alone, or a more comprehensive badge that includes the actual overall efficiency or noise rating. In addition, each badge will be tied to the specific product through a short-URL and a QR code, which will be printed on the badge. This will allow users to easily find a PSU's evaluation report certified by Cybenetics.
Since we want to offer the most detailed possible evaluation reports in addition to the normal test results, we will also include a number of other test results (e.g. efficiency and load regulation at 10%-110% load; ripple performance; hold-up time; etc.), which will provide useful information not only to everyday users but also to experts and PSU reviewers who do not have the proper equipment and software to apply our methodology.
For both certification programs, we primarily use 115 VAC; however, the ETA program will include a number of tests using 230 VAC to check compliance with various EU regulations.
You can find more information about Cybenetics, the ETA and LAMBDA certification programs, at www.cybenetics.com. Within a three month period close to 40 PSU models from various brands have been certified. You will find their evaluation reports in the Cybenetics' database, which also includes a graphic charts option (per manufacturer).
Beyond efficiency and noise certifications, Cybenetics also offers PSU Beta testing and evaluation reports which can lead to significant time and money savings in the process of increasing the quality and the performance of the tested products. The Cybenetics test procedure has been developed through many years of PSU evaluation experience. The methodologies in place, have been forged after numerous hours of testing and experimentation to obtain accuracy and reliability. Cybenetics' highly experienced personnel uses exclusively top-notch, state of the art equipment for its certifications. For further information, please visit the Cybenetics homepage.
- 85% efficiency at 50% of rated output power;
- 82% efficiency at 20% and 100% of rated output power;
- Power Factor = 0.9 at 100% of rated output power.
Since we want to offer the most detailed possible evaluation reports in addition to the normal test results, we will also include a number of other test results (e.g. efficiency and load regulation at 10%-110% load; ripple performance; hold-up time; etc.), which will provide useful information not only to everyday users but also to experts and PSU reviewers who do not have the proper equipment and software to apply our methodology.
For both certification programs, we primarily use 115 VAC; however, the ETA program will include a number of tests using 230 VAC to check compliance with various EU regulations.
You can find more information about Cybenetics, the ETA and LAMBDA certification programs, at www.cybenetics.com. Within a three month period close to 40 PSU models from various brands have been certified. You will find their evaluation reports in the Cybenetics' database, which also includes a graphic charts option (per manufacturer).
37 Comments on Announcing Cybenetics Power Supply Rating and Certification Agency
That recent PSU released by Cooler Master made by Murata of Japan that carries a price tag of $1000, only received a Cybenetics quality rating of B. :roll:
www.cybenetics.com/code/pdf.php?id=9Xe (scroll down to the bottom)
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817171104&cm_re=master_watt_mij-_-17-171-104-_-Product
I'll stick with my simple Seasonic 850watt that rated a Cybenetics A, and cost 1/5th the price of the Cooler Master PSU shenanigans. :p
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151160&cm_re=seasonic_titanium-_-17-151-160-_-Product
Tom's and TPU are involved because the program is run by the same guy that writes Tom's and TPU's reviews (Aris). TecLab is just promoting it. Not sure what "involvement" you think there is there?
What do you expect jonnyguru.com to do?
Apologize if my message sounded as if it was assigning any irresponsibility, that was not the purpose whatsoever, more of a headscratcher as to why your name was not mentioned.
Thanks for the clarification.
Eagerly awaiting the Seasonic Prime 1000watt Titanium Review. :)
Check this. its a good explanation (Jump to 42 seconds).
I do like the idea of the ETA and LAMBDA ratings (especially noise ratings), I bought mine based on Johnny's review
For me, a Cybenetics rating is just as pointless as the Gold, Titanium, etc ratings currently on power supplies.
Aris isn't "partnering" with anyone. He has a MASSIVE lab of his own. In fact: His house is a lab with a bedroom attached. He doesn't NEED any "partnership". He does, however, have our (jonnyguru.com and other review sites) support. That's the best thing anyone can offer him.
You can't have this thing as a data aggregate from multiple sources (i.e. review sites). It needs to be consistent methodology using the same equipment each time.
The problem with 80 PLUS is that they've had the same methodology for 10 years. They can't update or improve it because that would negate everything they've tested prior to any such updates. They're stuck. But, then again, they're not really in the business of testing for anything but efficiency. That's their goal. Not performance. Not build quality. The problem is, as someone previously mentioned, people mistake efficiency for quality. There's Gold units that aren't as good as some Bronze units, for example. And it's not a "small minority" as someone else stated. MOST PEOPLE believe this. I just came back from a trip to S.E. Asia where I met up with a bunch of retailers and almost every single retailer and their customer thought that Gold was better QUALITY than Bronze. Platinum is better QUALITY than Silver, etc. Mostly because of a lack of proper reviews in their native languages.
So I think this is a good thing. Any kind of PROPER database (proper unlike those God awful "tier lists") is a step in the right direction for educating the consumer.
And I bet you can't wait for that Prime 1000W review... you Seasonic shill you!!!! (I'M KIDDING!!!!!! ;))
Efficiency ≠ Quality or Performance
Quality and Performance = King
Lambda/Noise levels = Nothing important to functionality, performance, and/or build quality
That is the nice thing with this rating system, we get a consistent benchmark to compare products and can then make a informed decision.