Ultra X3 1000-Watt Energy Efficient Modular PSU
Test System and Vital Stats While Idle
 |
|
System Configuration
- AMD Athlon X2 5200+ (2.6 GHz / 1 MB L2)
- ASUS M2N32-WS Professional / Nvidia nForce 590 Motherboard
- OCZ 4GB DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum Memory (2 x 1 GB, CAS 5-4-4-15)
- Nvidia GeForce 8800GTX 512MB
- Nvidia Geforce 8600GS 256MB
- Western Digital "Raptor" 150GB
- Seagate ST340062 400GB
- ASUS 16X DVD+/-RW Drive
- Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Edition (64-bit)
We tested this power supply by pitting it against similar units in its class. The closest match we had on hand was a Tagan TG1100-U95 1100w PSU. The second model was a ThermalTake ToughPower 750w PSU that also boasts a modular design. We tested the power supplies by recording their AC watt usage with a dedicated hardware watt meter which monitored total system power consumption. The focus of the review is to record each power supply's overall power consumption within an identical hardware set up. Naturally, we want to see lower wattage levels to demonstrate which unit is the most efficient model tested in various scenarios. Power consumption should also play a role in fan noise as more power draw usually results in higher temperatures, which can result in increased fan speed and noise.
With our first test, we focused on total system wattage draw at the outlet while the testbed was powered off.
Both the Ultra X3 1000w and ThermalTake ToughPower 750w had a 5 watt draw with the system was completely powered down, while the Tagan weighed in at 6 watts.
Next, we powered up the system and record wattage while the system was idle. Each configuration was allowed to sit idle for thirty minutes before recording the wattage.
With our first test, we focused on total system wattage draw at the outlet while the testbed was powered off.
Both the Ultra X3 1000w and ThermalTake ToughPower 750w had a 5 watt draw with the system was completely powered down, while the Tagan weighed in at 6 watts.
Next, we powered up the system and record wattage while the system was idle. Each configuration was allowed to sit idle for thirty minutes before recording the wattage.
The 750w ThermalTake ToughPower PSU provided the lowest draw at 243w while the 1100w Tagan TG1100 was highest at 268w. The Ultra X3 1000w was within 10w of the ToughPower 750w while separating itself from the Tagan TG1100 by 15w, idling at 253w.
