Testing (continued):
Power Factor Testing: - As a second phase of testing, the power supplies were connected to the Seasonic Power Angel power monitor, and data was recorded with the system in the load condition, described previously. The Power Angel can provide a good deal of data regarding the electrical consumption of a device, but I was strictly interested in seeing how the PF value compared to the other units.
The PF (power factor) value for each test unit was recorded, and it is very clear that the Enermax Liberty power supply is yet again one of the best bets when it comes to this category. Neither Ultra Products unit is overly impressive with their respective PF values, with the Xconnect 500W unit reporting a meager 0.62 (62%) and the Xfinity 600W with a slightly better 0.64 (64%). The ArrowMax and the Enermax units both put up numbers at or above 98%.
The published data on efficiency from Enermax puts the 500W Liberty unit at 80%. This value, and the 98% PF number achieved during testing are both quite good, and are a product of the quality design and components that Enermax has built their reputation on. More efficient power supplies will not only produce less heat, but they will save you money on your electric bill, which is definitely something worth a bit of consideration when shopping around.
The heat output during the testing agreed with the efficiency information, as the air coming out of the 500W Enermax Liberty and the 550W ArrowMax power supplies felt about as warm as the room temperature. The air coming out of either Ultra Products unit was much warmer.
Noise Testing: - The noise testing in this review will be somewhat subjective, but a clear cut winner can be picked. In the review of the 600W Xfinity unit I had access to a digital sound meter which told me that the Xfinity and Xconnect both operated between 39-41 dB when measured from one meter. Although I haven't been able to get my hands on the sound meter since then, it is clear that the Enermax Liberty power supply is operating below 39 dB.
The Enermax Liberty and its single 120mm fan operates at about the same (perhaps slightly lower) level as the ArrowMax power supply which has three 80mm fans, which was also quite impressive. As with the ArrowMax unit, there are no LEDs or other obvious physical indicators that the unit is functioning, so you have to get up close to see or feel the fan moving. Given the choice of using one 120mm fan or three 80mm fans, I would definitely prefer a unit with a single larger fan, as you have less that can go wrong, and it feels like more air is being exhausted from the back of the case.
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