Having 85deg rated caps is pretty horrible. This means that in a hot box, i.e. a computer with 45-55 degree internal (air) temperature and PSU internals hovering around 65 degrees, you only get about a year's worth of continuous use. And indeed, in this unit are pretty B-grade CapXon brand 85 degre...

It's very interesting that the Kingwins (both in the 500W range) do so well at low loads, especially the LZP-550; the graphs seem to indicate that it's the most efficient power supply for loads below 300W, even beating the PSUs rated for 300W from other brands. On the other hand it might be unfair t...

FWIW, Tom's also has really useful PSU charts, including measurements at standby, 25W and 50W.

These charts are awesome, especially the low power ones.

Actually, 80 Plus does specify different (higher) target efficiencies for 230VAC input. Not sure when they started this, it was not always so. When last I checked there 80Plus had a separate certification program for server PSUs that happened to be tested using 230VAC. Is that what you are referrin...

The "standard" does not even consider the different efficiency levels given when testing at 110 or 230V, it surely falls short. I'm not really sure of what you're trying to say here. 80 Plus tests at 110V because they cater to the U.S. market. Don't like it? Start a 230V certification programme. No...

I think overall the 80 Plus branding had a positive effect in making consumers more aware of the power draw of their electronics and of course in stimulating production of better and more efficient power supplies. I imagine that if 80 Plus had not happened we'd still have had kilowatt PSUs. I will a...

In this category of supplies there also are, in addition to the ones reviewed here at SPCR: be quiet! Efficient F1 350W . certified 80 Plus Gold. LC-Power Green Power LC7300 80+ Silver Shield . 300W. Both of these supplies are significantly cheaper than the Seasonic G360, especially the LC-Power. I ...