Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart that shows the efficiency of the SuperNOVA 1600 T2 at low loads and at loads equal to 20% -100% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



The three high capacity Titanium units simply smoke the competition at normal loads, and only the Corsair AX1500i falls behind by a tiny bit at light loads while both Super Flower units keep their top positions in those charts. The very small difference between the 1600 T2 and its Super Flower twin is to be expected since both PSUs are based on the same platform.

Efficiency at Low Loads

These next tests measured the SuperNOVA 1600 T2's efficiency at loads well below 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 over 500 W of capacity). This is important for settings where the PC is in idle mode with Power Saving turned on.

EVGA's unit manages very close to 80% efficiency at even only 20 W. High-capacity PSUs usually don't do as well at such light loads, but the 1600 T2 is clearly an exception.

5VSB Efficiency

The ATX specification 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.

While the 5VSB rail didn't manage to crack 80% efficiency, it came really close to doing so in the last test, which left us quite satisfied. However, there is room for improvement.

Power Consumption in Idle & Standby

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

As with most modern PSU's, EVGA's unit consumed very little energy in standby.

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 its output noise follows. We measure the fan's noise from one 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 20 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 PSU's entire operating range. The same conditions of the above graph apply to our measurements, but the ambient temperature was in-between 28°C and 30°C.