hi i been thinkin recently that i would like a more energy efficient psu, i currently have a Thermaltake toughpower 700w. i have read that it has 85% efficiency is this energy effcient? i ve seen other psu s with 80%, are these more efficient? thanks
80% is less efficient than 85%. ie 85% would be the better psu to buy. Look for an 80plus silver or gold certified psu for efficiency. Gold is better than silver obviously and either would be better than the two examples above.
with psu's the efficiency will alter with the percentage load, say with 50% load you may have 85% and at 100% load you may have 75%
yeah, most psu's are made do be run at half the load. otherwise; have a look at this list; and pick one with a gold or better label. be warned: you will have to pay for it.
Not necessarily as at least one manufacturer on that list doesn't advertise their PSU as gold certified when it is, the corsair HX750 and HX850 are both classified as gold but only go for which go for £112.78 and £127.90 respectively on scan, with a seasonic SS-750KM is even cheaper at £106.68 pounds but is also sold as certified silver. Its when you go up to 1000 watt and higher at gold certified that they become insanely priced, for instance it might go up to £200. merely because it can push 1000 watts with gold certification.
