Gigabyte's New Odin GT 800W Power Supply
by Christoph Katzer on July 24, 2007 12:01 AM EST- Posted in
- Cases/Cooling/PSUs
Efficiency and Power Loss
Just last week we reviewed the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 QUAD which had a terrific efficiency of up to 86%. This week we see similar results. Even at lower inputs the efficiency reaches 83%, topped by a maximum 85% at 230VAC input. High efficiency is not the only important factor; efficiency at higher loads and over a range of loads is equally (if not more) important. A power supply that reaches 80% efficiency at a 10% load but then drops off at moderate to high loads wouldn't be desirable. Most PSUs are usually loaded at anywhere from 30 to 80% of their rated output, and maintaining a high efficiency at all loads would be the best possible result.
The Odin GT delivers another impressive result, with efficiency that is simply always good. Just after 20% load it is already over 80% efficient and it stays in the 80-85% efficiency range up until 100% load. If your PC has the need for this kind of power supply, you will get better than 80% efficiency and any load above approximately 150W. Considering the 800W rating, we expect this unit to go into systems that idle at 200W or more, so the end result is very good.
Due to the very high efficiency, the power loss is also very low and we see good results.
Just last week we reviewed the PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 QUAD which had a terrific efficiency of up to 86%. This week we see similar results. Even at lower inputs the efficiency reaches 83%, topped by a maximum 85% at 230VAC input. High efficiency is not the only important factor; efficiency at higher loads and over a range of loads is equally (if not more) important. A power supply that reaches 80% efficiency at a 10% load but then drops off at moderate to high loads wouldn't be desirable. Most PSUs are usually loaded at anywhere from 30 to 80% of their rated output, and maintaining a high efficiency at all loads would be the best possible result.
The Odin GT delivers another impressive result, with efficiency that is simply always good. Just after 20% load it is already over 80% efficient and it stays in the 80-85% efficiency range up until 100% load. If your PC has the need for this kind of power supply, you will get better than 80% efficiency and any load above approximately 150W. Considering the 800W rating, we expect this unit to go into systems that idle at 200W or more, so the end result is very good.
Due to the very high efficiency, the power loss is also very low and we see good results.
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strikeback03 - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
Does the software need to be running for the voltage regulation to work? Or can you make changes then close the software and have the changes still work on the PSU?Also I'd guess if UV lighting is that useful for a case you could swap the blue LEDs for some UV ones - looks like enough wire is exposed to cut the blue ones and solder in UV ones.
Oberst - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
Hello,nice review (i wouldn't expect anything else of you). But I've got a question about the measuring-software: Was it reliable, when measuring voltages? You already mentioned, that the wattage was not reliable. So I'd like to know, if that was because of wrong measured amps or volts.
greets Oberst.
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
Voltages have been quite accurate; amps have been wrong in almost every case.qpwoei - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
Once you've got the ripple measurements sorted out, it'd be nice to get some scope traces as the load changes. Poor transient response of the rails can cause all sorts of hard-to-diagnose problems in the real world.Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
We use a scope to follow response on the rails but until now we feel the data is not good enough to present. If there would be something to extraordinary to tell we surely would.bob4432 - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
what about that? a good quality unit, the Corsair 520HX seems to be a lot of people's favorite lately, how does it really stack up? or some of the FSP "Green" units - are they really that efficient? what about seasonic - really as good as everyone says?these reports are all fine and dandy, but you are catering to possibly 5% of your user base, yes even here 800W is extreme overkill.
and it is not a $$$ issue but rather a reality issue. i am surprised you guys testing these are continuing the thought process by only reviewing the upper wattage units and thus making everyone think they need one when they don't - people on review 750W psus, so i must need one...come on guys
Christoph Katzer - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
Will come. No worries about that. At the moment we are just starting as you can see and of course every company wants to have the best PSU tested first. We'll have lower ones very soon but need to work on that mountain of PSUs here first. With 380w you will see a Seasonic pretty soon for example.bob4432 - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
will definitely be looking forward to them :)ATWindsor - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
I disagree that an OCP per rail i s a good thing, it onyl makes using the PSU more of a hassle, since you can draw a lot less from the PSU on 12V than the specs would make possible, if you are unlucky and draw most of it from one rail. Several manufacturers have one big rail without any know safety-problems, having an OCP for the combined drav from the 12V-lines however is a good thing.AtW
dare2savefreedom - Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - link
I would be interested in knowing how a psu runs with dual 8800gtxs in virginia in summertime in an old house with a window air conditioner.Not these theoretical white glove clean room lab environment tests.
triple sli 8800gtx?
come one stop playing with your iphone.