Testing

To test the unit, I’ll be using the following setup:

Intel P4 3.2 GHz (socket 478)
Gigabyte GA-8IPE1000-G motherboard
Sapphire Radeon 9200 256mb Graphics Card
1Gb OCZ RAM
200Gb Maxtor SATA HDD
80Gb Western Digital IDE HDD

To make sure that the unit is being tested to the max, I’ll be using everything that my PC has that sucks power. This includes, running CPU Burn-in, playing load music, copying files, and playing Unreal and having as many powered USB devices as possible connected.

I’ll use Speedfan to graph and record the results. I’ll also use a multimeter to read the rails from a molex plug.

3.3v rail - Graph shows 50 minutes

5v rail - Graph shows 50 minutes

12v rail - Graph shows 50 minutes

Full load started about half way through the graph depending on which rail you are looking at. As far as variations go, the Strider is pretty stable. There are no great troughs or peaks in the graphs. The Striders stability is slightly less than both the Element and the iGreen 430w, but it does produce more wattage over more 12v rails. This means that parts of your rig can be supplied with noiseless power feeds providing a more stable overclock and gaming experience.

The voltmeter read the same as the motherboards on board voltage testing facilities.

The efficiency is what really lets down the Strider. Whilst a figure of 68% (100w of input makes 68w of output) max isn’t horrendous, computing has finally realised that the environment matters. Efficiency not only saves the environment but your wallet too, and you might want to choose a penny-saving power supply when there are so many to choose out there, rather than a less efficient higher wattage unit.

The PSU was also used in a separate rig to test SLi functionality. Even in an overclocked environment, the rails remained stable. Rest assured, the SLI certification is well deserved.