Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing efficiency of the R3 800 W at low loads and at loads equal to 20%-110% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



In comparison to other Platinum and Gold units with similar capacity we have reviewed in the past, the R3 800 W doesn't look so impressive at first, but take a closer look and you will notice that the differences are really small; it even manages to pass ahead of Thermaltake's and Corsair's digital units at low loads, which is noteworthy.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measured the efficiency of the R3 800 W at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum rated load (the lowest load that 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.

Efficiency in all tests was above 80%, so we have nothing to complain about here, on the contrary. The R3 800W will serve you very well at even low loads despite its relatively high capacity, saving you some money on your electricity bills over the long run.

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.

The 5VSB circuit registered good efficiency overall, although it missed the 80% mark by a hair, which, however, doesn't matter here. That said, efficiency over 80% in these tests is indicative of a very well-designed 5VSB rail, even if it only manages to surpass the 80% efficiency mark during the full load test.

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 on 5VSB).

Vampire power was very low and close to one third of the limit, which is, according to the ErP Lot 6 2013 directive, 0.5 W.

Delta Temperature

The following chart illustrates the cooling fan's delta difference between input and output temperature. The following results were obtained at 38°C-45°C ambient.



Unfortunately, the fan controller of this unit didn't allow us to take any fan speed readings, like in the R3 1000W, so we don't have any information for you on this matter. But given its semi-passive mode, the PSU outputs zero noise at low loads.