Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing efficiency of the Hercules-1600 at low loads and at loads equal to 20-110% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



At low loads, the Hercules unit performs well given its huge capacity; it is also very close to the digital competition at normal loads (EVGA SuperNOVA). We didn't expect a unit with the outdated CM6800 PFC/PWM controller to manage such high efficiency. High Power did wonders in this area, achieving extraordinary results with an outdated approach and old components.

Efficiency at Low Loads

The next tests measure the efficiency of the Hercules-1600 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-, 60-, 80-, and 100 W (for PSUs with 500 W or more capacity). This is important for settings where the PC is in idle mode with Power Saving turned on.

With 40 W load, 1/40th of the unit's capacity, efficiency dropped a little below the 70% mark. However, it climbed above 75% and managed over 80% with 20 W during the last of the above tests. It is good to know that this beast can deliver descent efficiency at such incredibly low loads.

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 that the 5VSB rail can handle.

The 5VSB's efficiency is pretty average and there is much room for improvement. Also, one or two more amps on this rail would be very welcome since everything else about this PSU is over the top.

Power Consumption in Idle & Standby

The table below gives you 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).

Phantom power is low and compliant with the requirements of the ErP Lot 6 2013 directive.

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-48°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 tiny custom-made anechoic chamber whose internals are completely covered in specialized soundproofing material (Be Quiet! Noise Absorber Kit). The background noise inside the anechoic chamber was below 30 dBA during testing and the results were obtained with the PSU operating at 39°C-48°C ambient.



The following graph illustrates the fan's output noise during normal operation and at full speed. Strangely enough, our sample looked to only have two fan modes, like the fan controller didn't exist. We aren't 100% sure, but something was apparently wrong with its fan control circuit.