Introducing HardwareLogic's PSU testing Method 2.0

Vikingod · Oct 12, 2007, 02:15 PM

Source: HardwareLogic
____________
Power supply units (PSU's) are arguably the most difficult pieces of computer hardware to review. Most review sites use a qualitative or semi-quantitative method that involves putting a PSU into a built system and using a digital multi-meter (DMM) to measure rail voltages while the system is under heavy load. A great example of a site that uses this method is Tech Power Up.

While you may see some review sites rant about how a PSU cannot be reviewed this way, we have to disagree. You certainly can do this. And, you certainly can get a reasonable idea of PSU performance this way (See our article on "Checking Your PC's Power Supply Voltage Readings" for a "how to" on checking your own PSU). This is truly a real world test, especially if the testing computer in question is of the same class the PSU is advertised to operate in. One can use this method to check if a PSU is adequate for a particular system. That, along with other features like price, is enough to do a reasonable review. We don't knock sites that do their reviews this way as long as they are open about it. In fact, this is very close to how we have done our own tests in the past.

Oct 12, 2007, 02:15 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Introducing HardwareLogic's PSU testing Method 2.0 Source: HardwareLogic ____________ Power supply units (PSU's) are arguably the most difficult pieces of computer hardware to review. Most review sites use a qualitative or semi-quantitative method that involves putting a PSU into a built system and using a digital multi-meter (DMM) to measure rail voltages while the system is under heavy load. A great example of a site that uses this method is Tech Power Up. While you may see some review sites rant about how a PSU cannot be reviewed this way, we have to disagree. You certainly can do this. And, you certainly can get a reasonable idea of PSU performance this way (See our article on "Checking Your PC's Power Supply Voltage Readings" for a "how to" on checking your own PSU). This is truly a real world test, especially if the testing computer in question is of the same class the PSU is advertised to operate in. One can use this method to check if a PSU is adequate for a particular system. That, along with other features like price, is enough to do a reasonable review. We don't knock sites that do their reviews this way as long as they are open about it. In fact, this is very close to how we have done our own tests in the past.