Working together with my APC SmartUPS SC 620, the EVO Blue 550W was stable at loads up to 375 watts when powered by the mains but could not switch to the UPS’s batteries even at 280 watts. The senior model was stable at 375 and 315 watts when powered by the mains and the UPS’s batteries, respectively.
We have to use animated diagrams for the sake of readability here. Otherwise, there would be too many pictures in this section. It is clear from the diagrams below that the junior model is inferior to the senior one in terms of voltage stability.
Well, the junior model isn’t so bad after all. Its voltages do not deflect more than 3% from the required levels in the typical load range.
But the senior model is better. The voltages are within 2% of the required levels in the typical load range and within 3% at any loads.
It must be noted that both EVO Blue series models were not very confident at zero loads, losing the Power OK signal.
Output Voltage Ripple
It is the output voltage ripple that’s the main downside of both Thermaltake PSUs. As if to make up for the previous test it has passed very well, the 750W model is especially bad here. Its output voltage ripple largely fits within the requirements of the industry standard but there are a lot of voltage spikes that go beyond the permissible limits.
The junior model has too high voltage spikes as well, but they are not as frequent and high as those of the senior model.
The same goes for the voltage ripple at the double frequency of the power mains. The senior model has stronger pulsations.
Temperature and Noise
Each of these PSUs is cooled with a 7-blade 140mm fan labeled as TT-1425. The real maker’s name is printed in small letters. It’s Hong Sheng.
So, the senior model keeps the fan speed at the same level until a load of 330 watts. Then the fan quickly accelerates, reaching 1700 RPM at 600 watts. This speed is then maintained until full load.
The junior model speeds its fan up sooner, at a load of 200 watts, but reaches the same top speed of 1700 RPM at full load.
Alas, neither of these PSUs can be called quiet. They are just average in terms of noisiness.
Efficiency and Power Factor
The efficiency of the PSUs is just what we can expect after tests of other products based on the Channel Well PSH platform.
The manufacturer’s claims about the efficiency of these PSUs are well-grounded. Starting from a load of 100 watts, each of them is 80% or more efficient with our 230V mains. That’s no record-breaking performance but the result good nonetheless. The efficiency graph goes close to 84% through most of the diagram, lowering to 83% and 81.2% at full load with the junior and senior models, respectively.
The power factor is typical of PSUs with active power factor correction.
The two models have almost the same result in this test. Their standby source copes with its job well enough.
We guess the key advantage of Thermaltake’s EVO Blue series is its exterior design. The good results in the cross-load test are a secondary advantage. The downside is that these PSUs are based on an outdated platform. They are not very quiet and have some problems in terms of their electric parameters. Perhaps they will be appreciated by some modders.