Deepcool PQ1000M (1000W PSU) review

PSU - Power Supply Units 108 Page 7 of 8 Published by

teaser

Stability Testing the PSU

Stability Testing The PSU

During our tests, we monitor voltage fluctuations at different loads. We write down the lowest and highest values. You want as little fluctuation as possible. The ATX specification requires that the PSU stay within a 5% fluctuation limit. For example, each +12 Volt rail should remain between 11.4 and 12.6 Volts. This means that the PSU is operating within ATX-defined specifications. You can find the thresholds in the table below:

Now, for the measurements for the Deepcool PQ1000M unit:


Voltage

Threshold

Minimum Voltage

Nominal Voltage

Maximum Voltage

+3.3 V

(±) 5%

+3.14 V

+3.3 V

+3.47 V

+5 V

(±) 5%

+4.75 V

+5 V

+5.25 V

+12 V

(±) 5%

+11.4 V

+12 V

+12.6 V


The results are:


 DC Output Load Regulation

Combined DC Load

+3.3 V

+5 V

+12 V

 100 W (10%)

3.32

5.02

12.08

 250 W (25%)

3.33

5.02

12.07

 500 W (50%)

3.31

5.01

12.10

 750 W (75%)

3.31

5.00

12.12

1000 W (100%)

3.30

4.99

12.09


All results remained safely within the specification and tolerance thresholds. As you can see, when in use, the PSU stays consistent. Voltages are very stable even at 100% load and close to the ideal values per the ATX specification.

Sound levels (dBA)

As always, for sound level measurement, we used the Voltcraft SL-100 dBA meter. The human auditory system has different sensitivities at different frequencies. This means that the perception of noise is not equal at every frequency. Noise with significant measured levels (in dB) at high or low frequencies will not be as annoying as its energy in the middle frequencies. In other words, the measured noise levels in dB will not reflect the actual human perception of the loudness of the noise. That’s why we measure the dBA level. A specific circuit is added to the sound level meter to correct its reading regarding this concept. This reading is the noise level in dBA. The letter A is added to indicate the correction made in the measurement. Frequencies below 1 kHz and above 6 kHz are attenuated, whereas the A-weighting amplifies frequencies between 1 kHz and 6 kHz. We measure the dBA 75 cm away from the product (the usual distance between you and a desktop computer). This is a somewhat subjective test. The lowest dBA level we can measure in this room without any equipment activated is roughly 30 dBA.

  • At ~10% (idle) PSU is inaudible
  • At ~ 25-50%, you can hear the PSU
  • At ~ 75% load, you can barely hear the fan; it remains virtually silent.

Below you can find the RPM behavior of the PSU fan:   


Page7_1

  

You need to remember that it’s a 120 mm fan inside. The PSU remains relatively silent even under normal load conditions. The sound cannot be noticeable even in a system equipped with a CPU cooler, chassis fans, and a GPU.


Page7_2

 

If it’s under 38 dBA, you most probably won’t hear it at all unless you bring your ears very close to the power supply unit. So, the Deepcool PSU should be acceptable for most users, till let’s say, 75% load.

Share this content
Twitter Facebook Reddit WhatsApp Email Print