hello guys and sifu,


Im wondering what is the difference between PSU which is they have same power supply but each of them have either BRONZE, GOLD or PLATINUM ex. such as SEASONIC PSU BRONZE, GOLD, PLATINUM . mind helping me what does those meaning (GOLD, PLATINUM,BRONZE)




thanks in advance

Energy-efficiency, ding ding!

it means how efficient that PSU can utilize the power.

Example, a 80+ bronze 400W real power PSU can produce 400W by utilize roughly 480W power from the plug (around 83% of total power used, thus fulfill the minimum 81% bronze requirements);
cap ayam 400W PSU may only produce 350W or less when its draw 500W power from the plug (~70%, thus not qualify 80+ bronze power usage requirement)

Simply put, the power efficiency of the PSU is BRONZE<SILVER<GOLD<PLATINUM, the higher the grade, the less power that PSU waste, thus saving more energy and help to protect environment

for more info do refer here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_PLUS

A less efficient PSU also runs hotter, because the extra energy is released as heat (eg. Seasonic 400w fanless has high efficiency).

Platinium is the best in performance and energy saving....if you have $$$$$$$$$$$$ you can go for it XD. But bronze will do well

The answer's here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/80_PLUS

Best to get a PSU at least with 80 PLUS certification.

The efficiency certification ( 80 Plus, 80 Plus Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum ) basically refer to how efficient the power supply can run at at a certain load, or what is its maximum efficiency. The best would be 80 Plus Platinum, while Gold comes in second. You can identify their ranking easily just based on the naming convention.

Efficiency also indirectly indicate the quality of the components used in the power supply that was awarded the efficiency certification ( Bronze, Silver or et cetera ) since to achieve a high efficiency you need to have good quality components.

It just means thier efficiency...

Efficiency = (power output / power input) x 100%

For more details just google search please

So,80+ Platinum will be the best energy saver?

That would be a yes, wouldn't it? It means less energy is lost through conversion, therefore less power draw is required from the wall socket.

How do we measure the standard deviation of the rated peak power and the actual power provided to the total system, since this is usually not commonly talked about

My meaning is that a 500W PSU doesn't mean it actually delivers 500W to the pc components right? How do know for sure how much it actually delivers and what sort of terms should be used...PSU output efficiency?

Thanks in advance

How much power can it actually deliver? You can find that out using a PSU load tester.

Anyway, efficiency actually has to do with the amount of power that will be loss through conversion of AC power to DC power. A 500W power supply with 80% efficiency will still output 500W of power if it's built to do so, but since it only has 80% of efficiency at best then it will need to draw 625W of AC power to produce 500W of DC power.

You can say so, but 80+ platinum PSUs only come with 1000 or 1200W power supplies (maybe 800 too? im not sure)

If you know the average power draw from the PC when gaming ( or something you do most of the time on your pc ), you can just get a PSU that is a little bit higher...

eg. ( average 300~400W , get a 600W power supply)

power supplies are quite efficient if the power output is about 50~80% of the stated output iinm...

so it still can perform efficiently, and you pay less...

..seems a bit understood now..thanks for the heads up..