Inter-Tech SL-500 Plus

[hojnikb]

Got another one of these cheapo PSUs. This one retails for around 20€, so this should be kept in mind.
It claims at least 82% efficiency, peaking at 90,2% at 50% load (these specs should almost reach 80+ GOLD certification).
Contents are also not bad for 20€, comes with power cable, zipties and some screws.

Here are the photos of the unit (still brand new, never ran), maybe someone can shed some light, how bad this unit really is. Didn't see any reviews or teardown of this PLUS unit. Unfortunately, i don't have the proper eqipment to test any of the above claims.










Rest of the photos in the gallary

[asf14tomcat]

I don't think this can get over 87% eff even test in 240VAC
platform use PFC/PWM CM6805BSX look like some cheap product from 1st player

[rafal_iB_PL]

It's overrated based on connectivity and 12V capacity alone, so it wouldn't clear any 80+.

[hojnikb]

It's overrated based on connectivity and 12V capacity alone, so it wouldn't clear any 80+.

Yeah? So you'd wager this can't possibly do 30A on 12V rail for anything more than a split second? The sl-500 unit was rated for the same power, but was obviously way overrated, but it did use a different design.

[hojnikb]

I don't think this can get over 87% eff even test in 240VAC
platform use PFC/PWM CM6805BSX look like some cheap product from 1st player

It's a 240V unit anyway, so it would't run on 120V anyhow. If this unit even did 80+, they'd probably put a big 80+ certified sticker on the box.

[-The_Mask-]

80PLUS is measured at 115V, there is a 80PLUS 230V EU standard, but the efficiency of 80PLUS Gold 230V EU at 50% needs to be 92% at least. This one won't be anywhere close to that number.

[rafal_iB_PL]

Yeah? So you'd wager this can't possibly do 30A on 12V rail for anything more than a split second? The sl-500 unit was rated for the same power, but was obviously way overrated, but it did use a different design.

500W part is overrated, not necessarily 30A@12V. With such heavy minor rail load no way it will do 500W in spec + in actual modern PCs you won't be able load it to 500W without going past 30A@12V (on top of not being able to connect enough hardware without extensive use of adapters or pulling more current per wire than connectors are intended to in the first place).

[hojnikb]

80PLUS is measured at 115V, there is a 80PLUS 230V EU standard, but the efficiency of 80PLUS Gold 230V EU at 50% needs to be 92% at least. This one won't be anywhere close to that number.

Yeah, thats my guess as well. And them being overy optimistic with the rating, along with 80+ certification costing money, they didn't bother actually doing it.

[hojnikb]

500W part is overrated, not necessarily 30A@12V. With such heavy minor rail load no way it will do 500W in spec + in actual modern PCs you won't be able load it to 500W without going past 30A@12V (on top of not being able to connect enough hardware without extensive use of adapters or pulling more current per wire than connectors are intended to in the first place).

Honestly, i'd be pretty happy if that unit did somewhat reliably ~200-250W on the 12V rail. That's 150W for the GPU (since it only has a 6 pin connector) and 50-100W for the cpu.
Although i'd never use one in my own builds nor would i recommend it, but i wager many did and will try to use this with a budget build combined with a cheap gpu, that only has 6 pin power.

I have to dig up a build that would give it a good stress test, so i can at least see if it can hold up.

[hojnikb]

Here seems to be reviews of a similarly built units
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/forum...test.18847814/
https://www.mygarage.ro/teste-si-rev...80-bronze.html