Test Setup

All measurements are performed utilizing ten electronic loads (seven Array 3711A, 300W each, and three Array 3710A, 150W each), which are able to deliver over 2500W of load and are controlled by a custom made software. We also use a Picoscope 3424 oscilloscope, a CHY 502 thermometer, a Fluke 175 multimeter and an Instek GPM-8212 power meter. Furthermore, in our setup we have included a wooden box, which along with a heating element is used as a Hot Box. Finally, we have at our disposal four more oscilloscopes (Rigol 1052E and VS5042, Stingray DS1M12 and a second Picoscope 3424) and a CEM DT-8852 sound level meter. In this article you will find more details about our equipment and the review methodology we follow. Finally, if the manufacturer states that the maximum operating temperature of the test unit is only 40°C then we try to stay near this temperature, otherwise we crank up the heat inside the hotbox up to 45-50°C.

Voltage Regulation Charts

The following charts show the voltage values of the main rails, recorded over a range from 60W to the maximum specified load, and the deviation (in percent) for the same load range.

5VSB Regulation Chart

The following chart shows how the 5VSB rail deals with the load we throw at it.

Efficiency Chart

In this chart you will find the efficiency of G1600-MA at low loads and at loads equal to 20-100% of PSU’s maximum rated load.

Voltage Regulation and Efficiency Measurements

The first set of tests reveals the stability of voltage rails and the efficiency of G1600-MA. The applied load equals to (approximately) 20%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80% and 100%, of the maximum load that the PSU can handle. In addition, we conduct two more tests. In the first we stress the two minor rails (5V & 3.3V) with a high load, while the load at +12V is only 2A and in the second test we dial the maximum load that +12V can handle while load at minor rails is minimal.


Let's start first with the voltage regulation, which is the biggest drawback on this unit. Unfortunately the +12V rail went out of the 5% range and the same happened to the 5VSB rail, too. Taking into account that the Platimax 1500W unit we had reviewed in the past also failed to keep a tight voltage regulation we expected this one to be on the same boat too, but we couldn't predict that +12V would drop so low at full load. Surely the high ambient temperature at which we tested the PSU played a crucial role here but on the other hand we test all units using the exactly same conditions (>40°C ambient) so this is not a good excuse.
Moving on to the positives, the PSU achieved really high efficiency in all of the above tests and even at full load efficiency remained over 88.5%. Considering the 1600W that we were pulling out of the PSU during the 100% load test, this is a great result. Also despite the 40°C rating the big LEPA achieved to deliver its full load even at temperatures close to 50°C, the recommended by ATX spec max operating temperature. Regarding output noise, the PSU's fan is audible even when the PSU is at idle (with no load on its rails) but you can't call it annoying either even at worst case (full load and CL2 tests), so this unit won't let down the users who want a high capacity unit which at the same time doesn't produce high noise levels.
Before we finish the description of these tests, we would like to stress that this is the strongest PSU we have ever tested and the 133A reading at CL2 test is something you don't see often. This PSU is a real power house, period.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measure the efficiency of G1600-MA at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum rated load (the lowest load that the 80 Plus Standard measures). The loads that we dial are 40, 60, 80 and 100W (for PSUs with over 500W capacity). This is important for scenarios in which a typical office PC is in idle with power saving turned on.


Of course we don't think that anyone out there would expect a 1600W unit to cope well with bottom low loads. Nevertheless only the efficiency result with 40W is daunting since all other are over 70% and with 100W load the unit manages to pass the 80% mark. So overall efficiency even at such low loads is decent.

5VSB Efficiency

ATX spec states that the 5VSB standby supply's efficiency should be as high as possible and recommends 50% or higher efficiency with 100mA load, 60% or higher with 250mA load and 70% or higher with 1A or more load.
We will take four measurements, three at 100 / 250 / 1000 mA and one with the full load that 5VSB rail can handle.


The 5VSB rail exhibits high efficiency levels even at the first two tests where load is minimal. With higher loads, at the last two tests, efficiency is very close to 80%, something not usually seen on this rail. Also even at full load (during standby) the rail manages to keep its voltage close to nominal levels.

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


With only 0.2W consumption during standby mode the PSU passes the ErP Lot 6 2010 requirements (and the future 2013 ones) with flying colors.