It is time to finally see how the EA650 performs. To do this, I'm going to use my trusty SunMoon SM-268 automated testing environment. It has the ability to load power supplies in up to five preset loading patterns, or override them for manual control of the loads on each rail. Into the five presets, I'm going to set up a series of five progressive load tests, ranging from 20% to 100% of the rated power; attempting to stay within the general combined rail ratings on the label. Then, I'll override the presets, dial up a heavy 5V/3.3V crossload, and then a heavy 12V crossload.
Doing this will tell us just how good the voltage regulation, or stability, of this unit really is. Using a couple other gadgets at my disposal, I'm also going to take power draw and temperature readings. Since the SM-268 only has the ability to load two rails at a time, I'm going to sum all three 12V rails down to one big one.
Once all this fun is complete, I'm going to do it all again in the hot box, and see how the EA650 handles being baked like a box of Timbits. Hmm... I don't think lunchtime can get here fast enough.
Results from Antec EA650 COLD load tests
Test #
+3.3V
+5V
+12V
DC Watts/
AC Watts
Eff.
Intake/
Exhaust
Simulated system load tests
Test
1
3A
3A
9A
148W/
184W
80%
21°C/
23°C
3.33V
5.12V
12.04V
Test
2
6A
6A
17A
265W/
319W
83%
21°C/
26°C
3.32V
5.09V
12.03V
Test
3
7A
8A
26A
382W/
455W
84%
22°C/
30°C
3.29V
5.08V
12.01V
Test
4
10A
11A
34A
498W/
602W
83%
22°C/
34°C
3.28V
5.07V
11.99V
Test
5
13A
14A
43A
622W/
770W
81%
23°C/
36°C
3.24V
5.05V
11.98V
Test
CL1
18A
18A
2A
182W/
254W
72%
23°C/
33°C
3.26V
5.08V
12.02V
Test
CL2
1A
1A
45A
553W/
660W
84%
23°C/
34°C
3.32V
5.08V
11.99V
There are a couple interesting figures up there. First, the unit is efficient, just like the box promised. I'm not seeing 85% up there, but the unit does get close enough to make me think it could easily do so in the real world. And thanks to the efficiency, the unit keeps itself cool as well, hitting a maximum of 36 degrees at the exhaust.
The second, and more impressive set of numbers are the voltage readings. It just doesn't look like this unit is having a lot of trouble keeping stable, which tells me one thing above all others - the unit is independently regulated. That is, it keeps the three main rails separate. This is a welcome change from the older Earthwatts units, which were not independently regulated. Unfortunately, this unit doesn't quite do as well on the 3.3V rail as some indy units, only holding to about 3% regulation, but the other two are controlled excellently at better than 2% and 1% regulation for the 5V and 12V rails respectively.
And the fan? It really was quiet - I never heard it once over the howling of the other fans nearby. So, we're off to a fantastic start here. Let's heat 'er up.
Results from Antec EA650 HOT load tests
Test #
+3.3V
+5V
+12V
DC Watts/
AC Watts
Eff.
Intake/
Exhaust
Simulated system load tests
Test
1
3A
3A
9A
148W/
184W
80%
25°C/
28°C
3.33V
5.13V
12.04V
Test
2
6A
6A
17A
266W/
317W
84%
29°C/
34°C
3.32V
5.09V
12.03V
Test
3
7A
8A
26A
382W/
453W
84%
32°C/
38°C
3.32V
5.08V
12.01V
Test
4
10A
11A
34A
498W/
601W
83%
34°C/
43°C
3.31V
5.07V
11.99V
Test
5
13A
14A
43A
622W/
770W
81%
34°C/
55°C
3.29V
5.05V
11.98V
Test
CL1
18A
18A
2A
182W/
256W
71%
33°C/
37°C
3.31V
5.07V
12.02V
Test
CL2
1A
1A
45A
553W/
663W
83%
34°C/
41°C
3.32V
5.08V
11.99V
Well, then. The unit loves a good heating, it would seem. Efficiency turned out to be even better almost entirely across the board, and the unit is now outdoing its own voltage regulation. Now, we get 2% or better on all three main rails. That's very good indeed. There's not much else to say, besides that I wasn't expecting results this good to come out of a plain gray enclosure like this.
And I still couldn't hear the fan. That's awesome.
EA650
+3.3V
+5V
+12V
Test
1
Test
2
Test
3
Test
4
Test
5
Test
CL1
Test
CL2
The picture isn't quite as rosy though, as we look at the oscilloscope shots from the unit, as provided by a USB Instruments Stingray. We get a few weird looking waveforms, and ripple and noise hits a maximum of 70mV on the 12V rail. However, everything here is well in spec. We can't exactly expect Signature 850W results from a low end unit, can we? I don't think I'm going to be too hard on the unit for this. That would be like dinging a Chevy because it's not a Rolls.
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