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 TP-1500M 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 TP-1500M. 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.


We didn't crank up the heat inside the hotbox since Thermaltake states that the max operating temperature of the unit is 40°C and ATX spec recommends, not requires, 50°C. However it would be nice to see a 50°C rating on this high-end unit. Regarding voltage regulation, with such a high capacity it is natural to not be so tight and exactly this was the case. Nevertheless we would like to see the 3.3V rail under 4% since we didn't push it so far and at least on paper the PSU can deliver 40A at 3.3V. Finally, although we have tested many high capacity units in the past, we're still fascinated by PSUs delivering 1500W real power at high ambient without any problems. We were also impressed by the fact that even at full load the fan wasn't noisy at all.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measure the efficiency of TP-1500M 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.


Efficiency at low loads sucks big time, but in a such a high capacity unit we can't ask for more here. Simply put, if you have a system that idles at very low loads or if you leave it most of the time in idle/standby then you should not buy a 1500W monster for it unless you want to throw a large amount of money out of the window. Such high capacity units should be bought only if you intend to install three or four high-end VGAs.

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.


In the first two tests efficiency is ridiculously low and at test#3, despite the boost it receives, it is still way below the 70% limit. Only with full load it manages to reach close to the limit although still under it. In general we can safely say that 5VSB efficiency in this beast is terrible, especially at loads under 1A. Apparently Enhance didn't pay much attention to 5VSB efficiency, instead they cared mostly for large power output.

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 3.25W phantom power you should better forget ErP Lot 6 compliance. This is the first time we see a contemporary PSU not being able to pass with the aforementioned directive.