Seasonic Core GX Series 500 W Review

Name: Seasonic Core GX Series 500 W
Brand: Seasonic
Price: 82 USD

crmaris

on Apr 15th, 2022,

in Power Supplies.

Manufacturer: Seasonic

Fan Noise »

Efficiency

Using the results we gathered so far, we plotted a chart showing the PSU's efficiency at low loads and loads ranging from 10 to 110 percent of the maximum-rated capacity.

Compared to other Gold-certified units, efficiency is low with normal loads. With light loads, the PSU performs better, and it manages to pass the required 60% limit with 2% load.

10%–110% Load Testing

These tests reveal the PSU's load regulation and efficiency levels under high ambient temperatures and show how the fan-speed profile behaves under harsh operating conditions.

Load Regulation & Efficiency Testing Data - Seasonic Core GX-500
Test	12 V	5 V	3.3 V	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	Temp (In/Out)	PF/AC Volts
10% Load	2.358A	1.988A	1.990A	0.981A	50.002W	84.379%	623 RPM	9.1 dB(A)	40.02°C	0.652
10% Load	12.041V	5.030V	3.316V	5.097V	59.259W	84.379%	623 RPM	9.1 dB(A)	43.74°C	230.41V
20% Load	5.742A	2.987A	2.993A	1.181A	100.027W	89.282%	628 RPM	9.4 dB(A)	41.13°C	0.827
20% Load	12.040V	5.023V	3.308V	5.082V	112.035W	89.282%	628 RPM	9.4 dB(A)	44.98°C	230.41V
30% Load	9.461A	3.490A	3.499A	1.381A	149.982W	90.800%	633 RPM	9.7 dB(A)	41.62°C	0.897
30% Load	12.042V	5.016V	3.301V	5.070V	165.178W	90.800%	633 RPM	9.7 dB(A)	46.05°C	230.40V
40% Load	13.187A	3.995A	4.007A	1.582A	200.019W	91.302%	641 RPM	10.1 dB(A)	42.24°C	0.929
40% Load	12.044V	5.008V	3.295V	5.056V	219.075W	91.302%	641 RPM	10.1 dB(A)	46.82°C	230.40V
50% Load	16.567A	5.002A	5.022A	1.785A	250.050W	91.355%	652 RPM	10.7 dB(A)	42.64°C	0.946
50% Load	12.046V	5.000V	3.286V	5.043V	273.713W	91.355%	652 RPM	10.7 dB(A)	47.70°C	230.37V
60% Load	19.935A	6.013A	6.042A	1.989A	300.004W	91.099%	827 RPM	18.6 dB(A)	43.16°C	0.956
60% Load	12.049V	4.991V	3.278V	5.029V	329.315W	91.099%	827 RPM	18.6 dB(A)	48.94°C	230.36V
70% Load	23.316A	7.028A	7.067A	2.195A	350.075W	90.575%	1113 RPM	26.9 dB(A)	43.51°C	0.962
70% Load	12.050V	4.982V	3.269V	5.013V	386.502W	90.575%	1113 RPM	26.9 dB(A)	50.34°C	230.39V
80% Load	26.731A	8.002A	8.113A	2.405A	399.852W	90.070%	1342 RPM	32.4 dB(A)	43.84°C	0.965
80% Load	12.036V	4.966V	3.254V	4.990V	443.937W	90.070%	1342 RPM	32.4 dB(A)	52.01°C	230.38V
90% Load	30.517A	8.588A	8.648A	2.412A	449.933W	89.616%	1799 RPM	40.2 dB(A)	44.87°C	0.968
90% Load	12.040V	4.949V	3.238V	4.977V	502.065W	89.616%	1799 RPM	40.2 dB(A)	53.99°C	230.38V
100% Load	34.081A	9.110A	9.195A	3.029A	499.917W	89.088%	1958 RPM	42.5 dB(A)	46.30°C	0.970
100% Load	12.036V	4.940V	3.230V	4.953V	561.149W	89.088%	1958 RPM	42.5 dB(A)	56.82°C	230.37V
110% Load	38.241A	9.129A	9.223A	3.035A	549.945W	88.635%	1963 RPM	42.7 dB(A)	45.15°C	0.972
110% Load	12.036V	4.930V	3.220V	4.944V	620.459W	88.635%	1963 RPM	42.7 dB(A)	57.11°C	230.37V
Crossload 1	0.118A	12.001A	12.000A	0.000A	100.663W	85.909%	660 RPM	11.3 dB(A)	42.87°C	0.843
Crossload 1	12.062V	4.995V	3.277V	5.082V	117.174W	85.909%	660 RPM	11.3 dB(A)	48.11°C	230.43V
Crossload 2	41.014A	1.000A	1.000A	1.000A	506.713W	90.110%	1947 RPM	42.5 dB(A)	42.09°C	0.970
Crossload 2	12.032V	4.955V	3.253V	5.026V	562.330W	90.110%	1947 RPM	42.5 dB(A)	54.01°C	230.41V

Despite the 40°C rating for full load output, I pushed the PSU to 46.3°C with a full load, and it didn't budge, which is a good sign. The low power-factor readings are bad, however. This is why the GX-500 is only Cybenetics Bronze certified for efficiency with 230 V input.

Light-Load Testing

We measure the PSU's efficiency at loads significantly lower than 10 percent of the maximum capacity—the lowest load the 80 PLUS standard measures. This is important for when a PC is idle with its power-saving features turned on.

Efficiency at Low Loads - Seasonic Core GX-500
Test #	12 V	5 V	3.3 V	5 VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	PF/AC Volts
1	1.233A	0.497A	0.497A	0.195A	19.992W	75.510%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	0.426
1	12.040V	5.034V	3.322V	5.123V	26.476W	75.510%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	230.40V
2	2.466A	0.994A	0.994A	0.391A	39.981W	83.667%	619 RPM	8.9 dB(A)	0.626
2	12.038V	5.033V	3.320V	5.115V	47.786W	83.667%	619 RPM	8.9 dB(A)	230.41V
3	3.702A	1.492A	1.493A	0.588A	60.010W	86.899%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	0.689
3	12.038V	5.030V	3.316V	5.106V	69.057W	86.899%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	230.42V
4	4.931A	1.990A	1.992A	0.785A	79.959W	88.597%	623 RPM	9.1 dB(A)	0.771
4	12.038V	5.027V	3.313V	5.098V	90.250W	88.597%	623 RPM	9.1 dB(A)	230.41V

The cooling fan spins at very low speeds under light loads. The high efficiency keeps noise output in these tests low.

Super-Light Load Testing

We measure the PSU's efficiency with a 10 W load if its maximum power is 500 W or less in the following tests. If the PSU is stronger, we apply 2% of its maximum-rated-capacity load.

Efficiency at Low Loads - Seasonic Core GX-500
Test #	12 V	5 V	3.3 V	5 VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	Fan Speed	PSU Noise	PF/AC Volts
1	0.680A	0.198A	0.198A	0.049A	10.081W	62.313%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	0.610
1	12.020V	5.042V	3.326V	5.129V	16.178W	62.313%	620 RPM	9.0 dB(A)	115.16V

The PSU exceeds 60% efficiency with 2% load.

5VSB Efficiency

5VSB Efficiency - Seasonic Core GX-500
Test #	5VSB	Power (DC/AC)	Efficiency	PF/AC Volts
1	0.100A	0.513W	68.859%	0.039
1	5.130V	0.745W	68.859%	230.35V
2	0.250A	1.282W	71.740%	0.089
2	5.126V	1.787W	71.740%	230.35V
3	0.550A	2.816W	75.801%	0.167
3	5.119V	3.715W	75.801%	230.35V
4	1.000A	5.110W	76.981%	0.249
4	5.108V	6.638W	76.981%	230.34V
5	1.500A	7.644W	76.870%	0.304
5	5.095V	9.944W	76.870%	230.34V
6	3.000A	15.179W	77.436%	0.380
6	5.059V	19.602W	77.436%	230.35V

The 5VSB rail is inefficient.

Power Consumption in Idle and Standby

Idle / Standby - Seasonic Core GX-500
Mode	12 V	5 V	3.3 V	5VSB	Power (AC)	PF/AC Volts
Idle	12.014V	5.042V	3.327V	5.132V	5.711W	0.216
Idle	12.014V	5.042V	3.327V	5.132V	5.711W	230.3V
Standby					0.066W	0.088
Standby					0.066W	230.3V