Comparison Chieftec Proton BDF-500S vs Deepcool Nova DN500

The presence or absence of an 80+ certificate for the power supply. This certificate indicates high energy efficiency: to obtain it, the efficiency (see above) must be at least 80%, and in different modes (20%, 50% and 100% of the maximum load). There are several degrees of 80+:

— 80+. The original version of the certificate, assuming an efficiency of at least 82% (at least 85% for 50% load).

— 80+ White. The second name of the original 80+ certificate (see above).

— 80+ Bronze — efficiency not less than 85% (for half load — 88%).

— 80+ Silver — respectively 87% (90% for half load).

— 80+ Gold — 89% (92% for half load)

— 80+ Platinum — 90% (94% for half load).

— 80+ Titanium — 94% (96% for half load).

The power factor (see "PFC Type") must be at least 0.9 for the lower levels and at least 0.95 for the Platinum level. Also note that for redundant power used in server systems, the efficiency requirements are somewhat lower.

A standard for power supplies that supplements the ATX specifications regarding power supply along the 12 V line. Introduced into use since the time of the Intel Pentium 4 processor. In the first series of the standard, the +5 V line was mainly used; from version 2.0, the +12 V line was introduced to fully power the components computer. Also in the second generation, a 24-pin power connector appeared, used in most modern motherboards.

The number of SATA power connectors provided in the PSU.

Nowadays, SATA is the standard interface for connecting internal hard drives, and it is also found in other types of drives (SSD, SSHD, etc.). Such an interface consists of a data connector connected to the motherboard, and a power connector connected to the PSU. Accordingly, in this paragraph we are talking about the number of SATA power plugs provided in the PSU. This number corresponds to the number of SATA drives that can be simultaneously powered from this model.

The number of Molex (IDE) connectors provided in the design of the power supply.

Initially, such a connector was intended to power peripherals for the IDE interface, primarily hard drives. And although the IDE itself is completely obsolete today and is not used in new components, however, the Molex power connector continues to be installed in power supplies, and almost without fail. Almost any modern PSU has at least 1 – 2 of these connectors, and in high-end models this number can be 7 or more. This situation is due to the fact that Molex IDE is a fairly universal standard, and with the help of the simplest adapters, components with a different power interface can be powered from it. For example, there are Molex - SATA adapters for drives, Molex - 6 pin for video cards, etc.

Number of 8-pin PCIe power connectors (6+2) provided in the PSU design.

Additional PCIe power connectors (of all formats) are used for additional power to types of internal peripherals that require more than the 75W supplied directly through the PCIe slot on the motherboard (a typical example is graphics cards). In PC components, there are two types of such connectors — 6-pin, providing up to 75W of additional power, and 8-pin, giving up to 150W. The 8-pin (6+2) connectors used in power supplies are universal: they can work with both 6-pin and 8-pin connectors on the expansion board. Therefore, this type of connector is the most popular in modern PSUs.

As for the quantity, there are models on sale with 1 PCIe 8-pin (6+2) connector, 2 such connectors, 3 connectors, 4 connectors, and in some cases — 6 or more. Several of these connectors can be useful, for example, when connecting multiple graphics cards — or for a powerful high-performance video adapter equipped with multiple additional PCIe power connectors.

The presence of a braid in the complete wires of the system unit — for all or at least for some.

This feature has a positive effect on reliability, making the wire as resistant as possible to bending, abrasion, strong pressure and other similar influences; it also provides additional protection against accidental contact with sharp objects (for example, when repairing a PC). The disadvantages of braided wires, in addition to increased cost, are also increased thickness and greater rigidity than similar cables in conventional insulation. This can create some difficulties in organizing space inside the system unit.

The maximum current that the PSU is capable of issuing + 5V to the power line. For more information about power lines in general, see "+3.3V". Also note here that + 5V power, in addition to connectors for motherboards (for 20 and 24 pins), is also found in Molex and SATA plugs, as well as some other specific types of connectors.

The maximum current the PSU can deliver on the first +12V power line.

For more information on power lines in general, see the "+3.3V" section. Here, it is worth mentioning that 12V is the most popular voltage among computer power connectors. It is used in almost all such connectors (with few exceptions), and some plugs (for example, additional PCI-E power with 6 or 8 connectors) use only 12-volt lines — specifically in the +12V format. The division of +12V power into several separate lines is done for safety reasons — to reduce the current going through each individual wire and thus prevent excessive load and overheating of the wiring. However, some manufacturers do not specify the maximum current for individual +12V lines and provide only the overall value in the specifications; in such cases, this number is indicated in this section.

The maximum power that the PSU can deliver to the +12V power rail.

For more details on power rails in general, see "Maximum current and power." Here, it should be noted that 12V is the most popular voltage among computer power connectors. It is used in nearly all such connectors (with few exceptions), and some plugs (such as the additional PCI-E power for 6 or 8 connectors) use only 12-volt rails, specifically in the +12V format. Therefore, this indicator is one of the most important characteristics of any PSU.

It is worth noting that many PSUs have multiple separate +12V power rails. In such cases, the total power is indicated here, which is usually divided equally among the rails.