We have evaluated thousands of PSUs so far, and we don't conduct only efficiency and noise measurements but we evaluate every possible aspect that affects performance. We also check build quality during the part analysis procedure. Since we have all the necessary data, we decided to go one step further and build two lists, to highlight the best PSUs that we have tested so far.
We categorize the Cybenetics Best PSU Picks program in two categories:
- Top-Performance
- High-Performance
The PSUs included in the high-performance category are among the best in the respective categories, while the top-performance PSUs are the best of the best.
Let's start first with the requirements that a PSU has to meet to enter our Top-Performance list:
Build Quality
- Double-sided PCB
- Complete EMI filtering stage (minimum components: 4x Y caps, 2x X caps, two CM chokes, an MOV) along with inrush current protection (an NTC thermistor is required, supported by a bypass relay)
- High-quality bulk cap(s) (105C, 420V* and higher, >=2000h lifetime)
- High-quality filtering caps (105C, >3000h lifetime for two-thirds of the electrolytic caps)
- High-quality and adequate for the job bridge rectifiers & MOSFETs
- High-quality cooling fan (Rifle, FDB, HDB, ML, DBB, or equivalent quality)
- Impeccable soldering quality
- C19 coupler & AC power cord with 14AWG wires ( >1300W PSUs)
*Due to a shortage in this type of caps, we will accept 400V as long as the situation remains the same
Cables
- Fully modular
- 2x EPS connectors, at least (for PSUs with 750W and higher capacity)
- 3x PCIe connectors, at least, on dedicated cables (for PSUs with 750W and higher capacity)
- 24pin ATX cable >=600mm (for non SFX or SFX-L PSUs)
- EPS cable >=650mm (for non SFX or SFX-L PSUs)
Protection Features
- Short Circuit Protection on all rails with earth. Also, 12V with the minor rails (5V & 3.3V)
- Properly set OCP and OPP triggering points (no ripple or load regulation problems)
- Over Temperature Protection
- Surge and Inrush Current protection
- Lower than 90A inrush current (230V)
- Lower than 50A inrush current (115V)
- Lower than 2.5mA leakage current
- Within the limits conducted EMI emissions (CISRP 32/ EN 55032)
Performance (115V unless otherwise specified)
- Able to deliver the full load and 110% of its max-rated power at >=45 degrees Celsius for at least four minutes without issues with 100V input
- Within 1% load regulation at 12V, 5V, and 3.3V and within the specified limits at 5VSB
- Below 20mV ripple on all rails in the worst-case scenario
- Over 20ms hold-up time
- Over 19ms power ok signal’s hold-up time
- No failures in the transient response tests, without extra capacitance. Within 1.25% average deviation at 12V, within 3% at 5V, within 4% at 3.3V (15 A at +12V, 6 A at +5V, 6 A at +3.3V, and 0.5 A at 5VSB)
- Compatible with the Alternative Low Power Modes
- No notable spikes, voltage overshoots, or notable voltage drops during the turn-on transient tests
- In spec rise time (T2) on all rails (0.2ms < T2 < 20ms)
Efficiency & PF
- 90% or higher average efficiency (115V)
- 92% or higher average efficiency (230V)
- Over 70% efficiency with a 2% load (115V)
- Over 78% efficiency at 5VSB (115V)
- Over 77% efficiency at 5VSB (230V)
- Over 0.98 average PF (115V)
- Over 0.94 average PF (230V)
- Below 0.1W vampire power (115V & 230V)
Noise Output
- Below 25 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, <=850W)
- Below 30 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, >850W & <=1250W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, >1250W)
- Below 30 dBA average noise output (SFX-L, <=1050W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (SFX-L, >1050W)
- Below 30 dBA average noise output (SFX, <=750W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (SFX, >750W)
Extra requirements for ATX v3.0 compatible PSUs with 12VHPWR (12+4 pin) connectors
- 200% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 100μs with 12V remaining above 11.2V*
- 180% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 1ms with 12V remaining above 11.2V*
- 160% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 10ms with 12V remaining above 11.2V*
- 120% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 100ms with 12V remaining above 11.2V*
*(with 3,300μF capacitance)
Below you will find the requirements that a PSU has to meet to enter our High-Performance list:
Build Quality
- Complete EMI filtering stage (minimum components: 4x Y caps, 2x X caps, two CM chokes, an MOV) along with inrush current protection (an NTC thermistor is required, supported by a bypass relay)
- Quality bulk cap(s) (105C, 400V and higher, >=2000h lifetime)
- Quality filtering caps (105C, >3000h lifetime for two-thirds of the electrolytic caps)
- Quality and adequate for the job bridge rectifiers & MOSFETs
- It has to have a higher quality than sleeve bearing, fan
- Good soldering quality
- C19 coupler & AC power cord with 14AWG wires ( >1300W PSUs)
Cables
- A fully modular cable design is preferred but not required
- 2x EPS connectors, at least (for PSUs with 750W and higher capacity)
- 3x PCIe connectors, at least, on dedicated cables (for PSUs with 750W and higher capacity)
- 24pin ATX cable >=600mm (for non SFX or SFX-L PSUs)
- EPS cable >=650mm (for non SFX or SFX-L PSUs)
Protection Features
- Short Circuit Protection on all rails with earth. Also, 12V with the minor rails (5V & 3.3V)
- Properly set OCP and OPP triggering points (no ripple or load regulation problems)
- Over Temperature Protection
- Surge and Inrush Current protection
- Lower than 90A inrush current (230V)
- Lower than 50A inrush current (115V)
- Lower than 2.5mA leakage current
- Within the limits conducted EMI emissions (CISRP 32/ EN 55032)
Performance (115V unless otherwise specified)
- Able to deliver the full load and 110% of its max-rated power at >=40 degrees Celsius for at least four minutes without issues with 100V input
- Within 2% load regulation at 12V, 5V, and 3.3V. Within the specified limits at 5VSB
- Below 40mV ripple at 12V and below 30mV on the minor rails and 5VSB
- Equal or over 17ms hold-up time
- Equal or over 16ms power ok signal’s hold-up time
- No failures in the transient response tests, without extra capacitance. Within 2% average deviation at 12V, within 4% at 5V, within 5% at 3.3V (15 A at +12V, 6 A at +5V, 6 A at +3.3V, and 0.5 A at 5VSB)
- Compatible with the Alternative Low Power Modes
- No notable spikes, voltage overshoots, or notable voltage drops during the turn-on transient tests
- In spec rise time (T2) on all rails (0.2ms < T2 < 20ms)
Efficiency & PF
- 87% or higher average efficiency (115V)
- 89% or higher average efficiency (230V)
- Over 60% efficiency with a 2% load (115V)
- Over 76% efficiency at 5VSB (115V)
- Over 75% efficiency at 5VSB (230V)
- Over 0.975 average PF (115V)
- Over 0.93 average PF (230V)
- Below 0.15W vampire power (115V & 230V)
Noise Output
- Below 30 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, <=850W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, >850W & <=1250W)
- Below 40 dBA average noise output (ATX form factor, >1250W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (SFX-L, <=1050W)
- Below 40 dBA average noise output (SFX-L, >1050W)
- Below 35 dBA average noise output (SFX, <=750W)
- Below 40 dBA average noise output (SFX, >750W)
Extra requirements for ATX v3.0 compatible PSUs with 12VHPWR (12+4 pin) connectors
- 200% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 100μs with 12V remaining above 11.04V*
- 180% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 1ms with 12V remaining above 11.04V*
- 160% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 10ms with 12V remaining above 11.04V*
- 120% of the PSU’s max-rated-capacity for 100ms with 12V remaining above 11.04V*
*(with 3,300μF capacitance)
