Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing efficiency of the 600B at low loads and at loads equal to 20%-100% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



Efficiency at low loads wasn't that high, at least compared to the PSUs we included in the corresponding chart, but the 600B performed quite well at normal loads; that is, efficiency-wise.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measured the efficiency of the 600B 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 a capacity over 500 W). This is important for settings where the PC is in idle mode with Power Saving turned on.

Efficiency with 40 W load was low; however, efficiency in the next three tests was much higher and at decent levels for a mere Bronze-certified unit. The 600 B is then definitely not the most efficient PSU we have ever tested at such low loads, but nor did it perform poorly.

5VSB Efficiency

The ATX spec states that the 5VSB standby supply's 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.

Efficiency at 5VSB was at fairly good levels given this is a mainstream PSU, not a high-end one.

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 a load on 5VSB).

Vampire power was kept at minimal levels, so this unit won't burden the environment.

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 38°C-45°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 anechoic 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 38°C-45°C ambient.



The following graph illustrates the fan's output noise throughout the entire operating range of the PSU. 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 600B puts out very little noise at up to 200-250 W; that is, during normal ambient. Its noise output slowly increased afterward, reaching 46-49 dBA, which can be intolerable for users with sensitive hearing. Fact is that typical load noise should remains between 37-40 dBA, which is, compared to Gold and Platinum units, low enough for a Bronze unit with increased thermal dissipation.