Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing efficiency of the ERX630AWT at low loads and at loads equal to 20% -110% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



Among units of similar capacity, the ERX630AWT takes second place in both efficiency charts, proving that its platform is very efficient throughout its entire load range. Enermax did a good job by greatly restricting energy losses.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measured the efficiency of the ERX630AWT at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum rated load (the lowest load the 80 Plus Standard measures). The loads we dialed were 40 W, 60 W, 80 W, and 100 W (for PSUs with capacities over 500 W of). This is important for settings where the PC is in idle mode with Power Saving turned on.

Efficiency at low loads was very high, and the PSU even managed to crack the 80% barrier with only 40 W load, which is impressive considering its medium capacity. The ERX630AWT scored almost 89% efficiency with 100 W, an impressive reading for even a Gold PSU.

5VSB Efficiency

The ATX spec states that 5VSB standby supply efficiency should be as high as possible and recommends 50% or higher efficiency with 100 mA of load, 60% or higher with 250 mA of load, and 70% or higher with 1 A or more of load.

We will take four measurements: one at 100, 250, and 1000 mA, each, and one with the full load the 5VSB rail can handle.

The 5VSB rail starts with very high efficiency in the first two tests, but fails to keep its performance in the last two tests, where it stays below the magical 80% mark. While we can't call its performance mediocre, it isn't cutting edge either.

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 (powered on but without any load on its rails) and the power consumption when the PSU is in standby mode (without any load at 5VSB).

This test tends to be the most boring of all since almost all contemporary PSUs manage to pass it without throwing a fit. The Enermax unit only consumes 0.2 W in standby, which will save you enough money in the long run.

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature & Output Noise

The cooling fan's speed (RPMs) and the delta difference between input and output temperature are illustrated in the following chart. The following results were obtained at 39°C-46°C ambient.



A chart that shows the cooling fan's speed (RPMs) and the output noise follows. We measure the fan's noise from 1 meter away, inside a small custom-made chamber whose internals are completely covered in specialized soundproofing material (Be Quiet! Noise Absorber Kit). Background noise inside the anechoic chamber was below 30 dBA during testing, and the results were obtained with the PSU operating at 39°C-46°C ambient.



The following graph illustrates the fan's output noise throughout the PSU's entire operating range. The same conditions of the above graph apply to our measurements, but the ambient in this case was between 28°C and 30°C.



The PSU is fairly quiet at low loads, but surely makes its presence felt with higher loads, though its noise output won't annoy those who can tolerate noise well.