* 3200+ Clocked to 2.80GHz (280*10, 1.61V, Drawing 133W)
* DFI SLI-D With all power connections made (20W)
*1 NVIDIA 6800GTs (Drawing 100W)
* 2x512MB OCZ GX Memory (Clocked to 252MHz @ 2-2-2-0, 3.33V, Drawing 80W)
* Leadtek TV2000XP Deluxe (Drawing Mere Standby Power)
* 2x80GB Maxtor SATA Drives, 1x250GB WD PATA Drive (60W Draw on 12V/5V)
* LG Combo DVD Drive (20W Draw)
* Assorted cooling care of a shed worth of fans, 10W
* Total Wattage Needs Estimate: 484W!

It’s going to be quite tough for both of these units to stomach our test bed – after all, the wattage requirements within quite well exceed their ratings.

OCCT Alone
Voltages (Average)

3.3V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 3.375
Enermax Liberty 500W 3.312
LCG 350W 3.265
LCG 500W 3.325
Ultra X-Connect 2 3.29

5V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 4.965
Enermax Liberty 500W 4.963
LCG 350W 4.99
LCG 500W 4.885
Ultra X-Connect 2 5

12V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 12.25
Enermax Liberty 500W 12.17
LCG 350W 11.65
LCG 500W 11.88
Ultra X-Connect 2 12.08

Ripple (Combined Average, Lower Is Better)
Ultra 500W W/APFC .67%
Enermax Liberty 500W .33%
LCG 350W 1.23%
LCG 500W .46%
Ultra X-Connect 2 .65%

At this point in time, I can see each power supply falling along its own tangent. While the 350W model struggles to power the thirsty CPU, the 500W model does so with relative ease, taking the second place position, ahead of the two Ultra Power supplies. Though it is showing clearly at this point that the 350W unit is unsuitable for use in this kind of powerful machine, which still won’t stop me from cranking up the loads a little more in the multimedia section of things.

OCCT + Multimedia Use
Voltages (Average)

3.3V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 3.375
Enermax Liberty 500W 3.312
LCG 350W 3.264
LCG 500W 3.325
Ultra X-Connect 2 3.281

5V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 4.968
Enermax Liberty 500W 4.96
LCG 350W 4.99
LCG 500W 4.885
Ultra X-Connect 2 4.995

12V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 12.213
Enermax Liberty 500W 12.18
LCG 350W 11.625
LCG 500W 11.89
Ultra X-Connect 2 12.085

Ripple (Combined Average, Lower Is Better)
Ultra 500W W/APFC .64%
Enermax Liberty 500W .36%
LCG 350W 1.5%
LCG 500W .46%
Ultra X-Connect 2 .79%

Again, each of the two units continues down its own path in terms of things, yet something strange happens here – while the 350W unit goes absolutely nuts due to an increasing load on the 12V line, the 500W model slips down smoothly, and begins to close the gap between itself and the Enermax unit. Indeed, I’m looking at some nice circuitry here. Now, with the 350W unit teetering on the edge of oblivion, it’s time to toss a 6800GT into the mix, and see what happens.

350

500

OCCT + 3DMark 2006
Voltages (Average)

3.3V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 3.375
Enermax Liberty 500W 3.312
LCG 350W 3.265
LCG 500W 3.325
Ultra X-Connect 2 3.285

5V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 4.966
Enermax Liberty 500W 4.965
LCG 350W 5.015
LCG 500W 4.85
Ultra X-Connect 2 4.81

12V
Ultra 500W W/APFC 12.213
Enermax Liberty 500W 12.12
LCG 350W 11.45
LCG 500W 11.82
Ultra X-Connect 2 12.025

Ripple (Combined Average, Lower Is Better)
Ultra 500W W/APFC .93%
Enermax Liberty 500W .48%
LCG 350W 2.06%
LCG 500W .83%
Ultra X-Connect 2 .99%

Well, coming into the final segment of testing, I can see quite blatantly why the 350W can’t handle the task – what with a 4.5% fluctuation on the 12V line during a 3D load, it’s a wonder the system stayed stable. On the other hand, while the 500W unit may have lost its race to the Enermax unit, it still managed to beat out both Ultra units in terms of efficiency, which is interesting to see considering its position within the prospective life cycle.

350

500