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SonDa5
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2008
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This is the first time I have done a power out put test, if I have made errors in my calculations please correct me. 
When I got my 290X I didn't check the PSU requirements and assumed that my Seasonic Platinum 660XP PSU could handle it but when I found out AMD required 750W PSU I worried that my PSU may not be enough.
From Sapphire's WEB site:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2070&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#
After a few days of fun with the card and learning how to over clock it I decided to do a small PSU power output test for my own knowledge and to share.
My tests.
System Specs:
MB Asus Maximus VI Impact Z87
CPU 4770k over clocked to 4.8GHZ with 1.46v
AMD R9 290X over clocked to 1200/1600
2xSSD
1xSwiftech MCP655 Water Pump
1xBitFenix Hydra Pro 5 30W channel Fan controller
4x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120 D1225C12B5AP-15 Fans
1x Scythe Ulta Kaze 120 x 38mm Fan
All Fans MAX RPMS for Max load.
CPU-Z Validation Link for System: http://valid.canardpc.com/1w43z4
Method of Power Testing
Multiply input voltage by max measured amps during different types of load. V x I = W or Voltage multiplied by Current equals Watts.
Order of testing and results from each test.
1. Voltage Input to PSU at 127.8 AC Volts as measured by Fluke 902 Fluke 902 True-rms HVAC clamp meter from electrical receptacle feeding PSU. (electrical measurements done with this electical testing meter)
2. Measure max Amps of system with light usage surfing internet and streaming videos from youtube.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 1.4 Amps equals 178.92 Watts.
3. Measure max Amps of system during Heaven benchmark.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.7 Amps equals 472.86 Watts.
4. Measure max Amps of system during Furmark benchmark.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 4.7 Amps equals 600.66 Watts.
5. Measure max Amps of system during 3dMark11 benchmark.
3dMark11 score link: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7457007
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.6 amps equals 460.08 Watts.
6. Measure max Amps of system during Firestrike Xtreme benchmark.
FireStrike Xtreme score link: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/1589101?
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.6 amps equals 460.08 Watts.
Conclusion
My PSU is enough to handle my max load seen under Furmark benchmark of 600.66 AC Watts I would feel better having a high quality 750W PSU and that is what I would get from day 1 if I had the choice. For now my 660W is good enough.
Things to consider
During my tests I measured the AC side load which is normally higher than the actual DC output that a PSU is rated for. My Seasonic Platinum 660XP is rated for 660 DC Watts at around 90% efficiency. The AC WATT output equivalent would be 660 DC Watts x 90% of AC Watt efficiency = 660 DC Watts divided by 100 multiplied by 110 = 726 AC Watts.
Kind of confusing figuring out the AC Watts to DC Watts and the efficiency rating but I think this is it.
Ultimately the AC Watt is superior because that is what your utility company will bill you on.
Lastly my highest load of 600.66 AC Watts with Furmark is an oddly high load. For regular gaming I doubt any game will create this high of load. The main reason I run furmark is to test my cooling methods because it heats up the GPU so much.
When I got my 290X I didn't check the PSU requirements and assumed that my Seasonic Platinum 660XP PSU could handle it but when I found out AMD required 750W PSU I worried that my PSU may not be enough.
From Sapphire's WEB site:
http://www.sapphiretech.com/presentation/product/?cid=1&gid=3&sgid=1227&pid=2070&psn=&lid=1&leg=0#
After a few days of fun with the card and learning how to over clock it I decided to do a small PSU power output test for my own knowledge and to share.
My tests.
System Specs:
MB Asus Maximus VI Impact Z87
CPU 4770k over clocked to 4.8GHZ with 1.46v
AMD R9 290X over clocked to 1200/1600
2xSSD
1xSwiftech MCP655 Water Pump
1xBitFenix Hydra Pro 5 30W channel Fan controller
4x Scythe Gentle Typhoon 120 D1225C12B5AP-15 Fans
1x Scythe Ulta Kaze 120 x 38mm Fan
All Fans MAX RPMS for Max load.
CPU-Z Validation Link for System: http://valid.canardpc.com/1w43z4
Method of Power Testing
Multiply input voltage by max measured amps during different types of load. V x I = W or Voltage multiplied by Current equals Watts.
Order of testing and results from each test.
1. Voltage Input to PSU at 127.8 AC Volts as measured by Fluke 902 Fluke 902 True-rms HVAC clamp meter from electrical receptacle feeding PSU. (electrical measurements done with this electical testing meter)
2. Measure max Amps of system with light usage surfing internet and streaming videos from youtube.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 1.4 Amps equals 178.92 Watts.
3. Measure max Amps of system during Heaven benchmark.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.7 Amps equals 472.86 Watts.
4. Measure max Amps of system during Furmark benchmark.
127.8 Volts multiplied by 4.7 Amps equals 600.66 Watts.
5. Measure max Amps of system during 3dMark11 benchmark.
3dMark11 score link: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm11/7457007
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.6 amps equals 460.08 Watts.
6. Measure max Amps of system during Firestrike Xtreme benchmark.
FireStrike Xtreme score link: http://www.3dmark.com/3dm/1589101?
127.8 Volts multiplied by 3.6 amps equals 460.08 Watts.
Conclusion
My PSU is enough to handle my max load seen under Furmark benchmark of 600.66 AC Watts I would feel better having a high quality 750W PSU and that is what I would get from day 1 if I had the choice. For now my 660W is good enough.
Things to consider
During my tests I measured the AC side load which is normally higher than the actual DC output that a PSU is rated for. My Seasonic Platinum 660XP is rated for 660 DC Watts at around 90% efficiency. The AC WATT output equivalent would be 660 DC Watts x 90% of AC Watt efficiency = 660 DC Watts divided by 100 multiplied by 110 = 726 AC Watts.
Kind of confusing figuring out the AC Watts to DC Watts and the efficiency rating but I think this is it.
Ultimately the AC Watt is superior because that is what your utility company will bill you on.
Lastly my highest load of 600.66 AC Watts with Furmark is an oddly high load. For regular gaming I doubt any game will create this high of load. The main reason I run furmark is to test my cooling methods because it heats up the GPU so much.
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