Efficiency

Using the efficiency results from the previous page, we plotted a chart showing efficiency of the Maverick S 500 W at low loads and at loads equal to 20% -100% of the PSU's maximum-rated load.



Efficiency with light loads was bad, and while it did much better with normal loads, we shouldn't expect better results in these tests since the platform is pretty old and uses a passive design in its secondary side. The Maverick S 500 W is, after all, for those on a tight budget—those who care only about spending as little as possible to avoid wasting more money on a more efficient PSU. Yet the efficiency gap to Gold-certified units of similar capacity is big enough you'd probably save enough money on your electricity bill over the long haul to make spending more initially a viable option, especially if you plan on utilizing your PC for several hours a day.

Efficiency at Low Loads

In the next tests measure the Maverick S 500 W's efficiency at loads much lower than 20% of its maximum-rated load (the lowest load the 80 Plus Standard measures). The loads we dialed were 40 W, 60 W, 80 W, 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.

Efficiency at light loads was very low, and the fan also made its presence felt.

5VSB Efficiency

The ATX specification states that 5VSB standby supply 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 the 5VSB rail can handle.

5VSB efficiency was decent for a budget PSU.

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).

Power consumption in standby was below 0.5 W, which makes this unit ErP Lot 6 2013 compliant.

Fan RPM, Delta Temperature & 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 38°C-45°C ambient.



A chart that shows the cooling fan's speed (RPMs) and output noise follows. We measure the fan's noise from one meter away, inside a small custom-made anechoic chamber whose internals are completely covered in specialized soundproofing material (Be Quiet! Noise Absorber Kit). Background noise inside the anechoic chamber was below 20 dBA during testing, and the results were obtained with the PSU operating at 38°C-45°C ambient.



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



The low efficiency of the SBRs (Schottky Barrier Diodes) that rectify the rails in the secondary side probably doesn't allow for a more relaxed fan profile at even light loads. The result is a noisy operation throughout the unit's entire operating range.