Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing the efficiency of the G2-1000 at low loads and at loads equal to 20-110% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



Super Flower's Gold platform drops behind Seasonic's KM3 Gold platform (Cooler Master V1000) by a noticeable margin at low loads, but the gap between them is minimal in the normal load tests, even if Seasonic's unit keeps the lead. That said, meeting highly experienced and strong OEM's like Seasonic eye to eye is no small feat. There is apparently a new player competing for first place amongst PSU OEMs, which will have prices for consumers drop since such competition usually leads to better products at a lower price.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests, we measured the efficiency of the G2-1000 at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum-rated load (the lowest load that the 80 Plus Standard measures). The loads that we dialed were 40-, 60-, 80-, and 100 W (for PSUs with over 500 W of capacity). This is important for settings where the PC is in idle mode with power saving turned on.


At low loads, efficiency is fantastic for a unit of this capacity. We would have been left speechless by the efficiency of the PSU at low loads had we not already tested Cooler Master's V1000.

5VSB Efficiency

The ATX spec states that the 5VSB standby supply's efficiency should be as high as possible and recommends 50% or higher efficiency with 100 mA of load, 60% or higher with 250 mA of load, and 70% or higher with 1 A or more of load.

We will take four measurements: one at 100, 250, and 1000 mA each, and one with the full load that the 5VSB rail can handle.


Efficiency on the 5VSB rail unfortunately isn't in line with the overall performance of the PSU. Efficiency on all the above tests is relatively low, and the maximum current output of this rail is, on top of that, restricted to 2.5 A. We think Super Flower should redesign the 5VSB circuit to make it stronger and more efficient.

Power Consumption in Idle & Standby

In the table below, you will find the power consumption and the voltage values of all rails (except -12V) when the PSU is in idle mode (powered on but without any load on its rails) and the power consumption when the PSU is in standby mode (without any load at 5VSB).


Phantom power is below 0.5 W, so the unit is ErP Lot 6 2013 compliant, but it still is significantly higher than most modern units we have tested so far. This is also why efficiency at 5VSB isn't so high, especially at lower loads.

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature and Output Noise

The cooling fan's speed (RPMs) and the delta difference between input and output temperature are illustrated in the following chart. The following results were obtained at 40-46°C ambient.



A chart that shows the cooling fan's speed (RPMs) and the output noise follows. We measure the fan's noise from 1 meter away inside a small custom-made anechoic chamber whose internals are completely covered in specialized soundproofing material (Be Quiet! Noise Absorber Kit). The background noise inside the anechoic chamber was below 30 dBA during testing, and the results were obtained with the PSU operating at 40-46°C ambient.



The following graph illustrates the fan's output noise throughout the entire operating range of the PSU. The same conditions of the above graph applies to our measurements, but the ambient in this case was between 28°C and 30°C.



The unit operates silently with up to 420-450W at normal ambient. Noise output starts to increase afterward, but never exceeds 47 dBA, even with a full load. Other 1 kW units produce much more noise under similar conditions. The SuperNOVA G2 1000 W's direct competitor, the Cooler Master V1000, features an even quieter operation at normal ambient, but is significantly noisier than the EVGA unit because of its FDB fan and the more relaxed fan profile once temperatures rise.